In memory of Alberto Alesina

I want to thank first of all Alberto’s wife, Susan, and Francesco Giavazzi, who was a real force behind this event, President Monti and Rector Verona for the whole event and the organisation.

Alberto Alesina was one of the brightest and most influential economists of his generation.
His intuitions had a profound impact beyond academia and contributed to shape policy across the world.

Take for example his research on inflation, which was instrumental, I would say fundamental, for central bank independence to be accepted as an undisputable superior concept of central banking.

Alesina was never afraid of controversies and tackled them with rigour, open-mindedness, originality.

His relentless curiosity, ranging from history to sociology and anthropology, drove his research in new and exciting directions.

He was one of the first economists to look at the correlation between inequality, economic growth and political conflict.

And while he was a staunch supporter of the free market, he was concerned about reduced social mobility, which became a central theme in his work.

Alesina was an outstanding mentor to a large number of students and young academics, and a leading voice in the public debate.

His columns in Corriere della Sera were essential reading for anyone involved in policy and government – regardless of their ideas.

He was a driving force at Harvard, at the National Bureau for Economic Research, at the CEPR, in the Quarterly Journal of Economics. 

And he was a source of inspiration for many: full of life, self-deprecating, with an extraordinary team spirit.

As this conference shows, his intellectual legacy is huge – just like his heart. 
We miss him terribly, but we must cherish the time we were lucky enough to spend with him.

Thank you.