Brazilian former President Dilma Rousseff was awarded Women Economist 2023 by the Cofecon/Corecons system, which brings together regional councils and the Federal Economic Council (Cofecon, in Portuguese). Dilma was recognized for her work leading the New Development Bank, also known as the BRICS Bank, which she has headed since March this year. Roussef was Brazil’s first female president and was ousted after an impeachment process in 2016.
"Dilma Rousseff, current president of the BRICS Bank, former president of Brazil and renowned economist, was chosen due to her significant contribution to the country's economic and social development throughout her career," Cofecon/Corecons system highlighted when announcing the award.
The award was announced last Saturday (9) and took place in four phases. First, the councils listed nominees. Then, a list of ten names was drawn up. The next step was to choose the three most voted names. Dilma's name came from this list, chosen in a secret vote by the Cofecon plenary.
“To award Dilma Rousseff as Women Economist 2023 is to recognize her legacy and expertise in economics, as well as her crucial role in formulating and implementing policies that shaped Brazil’s economic trajectory.”
The award ceremony will be held in 2024, but there is no set date yet. This is the award’s fourth edition. In 2022, Tania Bacelar was the female economist awarded, a specialist in regional development who was part of the Lula government's transition team. In the previous year, the current minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, Esther Dweck, was awarded. In the first edition, the winner was Denise Lobato Gentil, a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ, in Portuguese).
“Economic Personality of the Year”
The Cofecon plenary also elected Gabriel Galípolo, director of Monetary Policy at Brazil’s Central Bank, for the Economic Personality of the Year 2023 award. The date of the award ceremony will also be scheduled for 2024.
"To award him is to recognize his contribution to the development of economic science and the economics profession in Brazil throughout his career. It also reflects the importance of his role in formulating economic policies and enriching the debate on relevant topics for the country, being an inspiration for professionals and students,” Cofecon summarized.
