Raymond Barre

Raymond Barre has had a long and distinguished career in government and academic and political life in France and in Europe. His academic career began at the Law and Economics Faculty of the University of Caen in 1950. From 1963 to 1994 he occupied the Chair of Political Economy at France's prestigious Institut de Sciences Politiques in Paris. He was named Professor Emeritus in 1994.

Raymond Barre was Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities from 1967 to 1972, with responsibility for Economic and financial Affairs. He was named to the General Council of the Bank of France in 1973. He served as Minister for Foreign Trade under the government of then-Prime Minister Jacques Chirac from January to August 1976, and added the portfolio of Minister of Economy and finance from 1976 to 1978. He was named Prime Minister on 3 April 1978 and served in that position until 21 May 1981. Raymond Barre was elected Deputy for the Rhône department in 1978, and was re-elected in 1981, 1986, 1988, 1993 and 1997. He served as Mayor of Lyon from 1995 to 2001, during which period he was also President of the Urban Community of Lyon.

Raymond Barre holds Honorary Degrees from institutions all over the world, and has received many public distinctions, including "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur," and the "Grand Croix de l'Ordre National du Mérite."

He is the author of numerous books, including Reflections for Tomorrow, At the Turn of the Century, Questions of Confidence, the 15th edition of the 2-volume Political Economy, and A Taste of Liberty. A charming and highly knowledgeable speaker, Raymond Barre has participated at prestigious economic, political and financial gatherings world-wide. He speaks both French and English.