From his abiding concern for a better world, Jeffrey Sachs will reflect on Pope Francis’ vision of multilateralism, where countries and civil societies cooperate on the common goals aimed at sustainable development worldwide. He will contrast the Pope’s approach to unilateral style of US foreign and economic policies.

Jeffrey Sachs is an American economist and public policy analyst. A professor at Columbia University, he is known for his work on sustainable development, economic development, and the fight to end poverty. Popes John Paul II and Francis have sought his input into their encyclicals, most recently Laudato Si, On Care for our Common Home. Sachs calls this document “magnificent, breathtaking… compellingly holistic. It inspires in its profundity.” He is enthusiastic about the Church’s social teaching: “I love the leadership the Church shows in goodwill to humanity. Pope Francis has said repeatedly that his encyclicals are a call of all of humanity … they touch me very deeply.”