Ismail Serag Eldin

Development is like a tree. It is nurtured in its growth by feeding its roots, not pulling on its branches.
“Nurturing Development”
Ismail Serageldin

“Someone once told me that I was born in the wrong century,” says Vice President of Special Programs at the World Bank Ismail Serageldin, whose numerous accomplishments and diversity of interests and talents are a testimony to his “renaissance man” persona.

Serageldin followed a path of greater, albeit diverse, achievement. He hails from modest Egyptian roots and ascended through the country’s public schools, including Cairo University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Immediately afterwards, he attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., where he received a master’s degree in regional planning and a Ph.D. in development and human capital.

Serageldin began compiling his illustrious resume in 1972 when he completed his doctorate and joined the World Bank’s education and human resources program. The former architect turned economist was searching for ways to create something more substantial than buildings – namely, opportunities for Third World countries to bolster development and improve their economic standing.

Always the visionary, Serageldin’s enthusiasm for his work and innovative ideas immediately earned him a reputation at the World Bank as a maverick thinker. “When I first joined the Bank, people thought of me as the rambunctious young man looking for new ways to push the outer envelope,” quips Serageldin.
By the late 1970’s, the young idealist had earned the confidence and respect of the Bank’s leadership, which promoted him to division chief of its Technical Assistance and Special Studies department at the age of 33. 

From there Serageldin began his gradual ascension through the ranks, branching out to create new educational and human resource programs for developing countries. 
In 1984, he became the director of programs in West Africa, focusing on issues such as military spending and women’s rights. “During that time we were trying to prescribe accountability of governance and respect for women’s rights,” said Serageldin, who remains an outspoken proponent of abolishing the much-censured practice of ritual, female genital mutilation.

He was once again promoted – this time to director for all Sub-Saharan Africa in 1990, turning his attention to environmental issues such as water conservation. Fearful for the continent’s future fresh water supply, he urged African countries to adopt water conservation and sharing policies.
“If the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water – unless we change our approach to managing this precious and vital resource," he warns.

Serageldin’s views concerning water issues made headlines in Newsweek, CNN and other media, helping to raise awareness of the growing water crisis. Along with the United Nations Development Program he called for the creation of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) – a measure for overcoming “fragmentation of the African continent over water issues.” The organization was launched soon thereafter, appointing Serageldin as its first (and still only) chairman. Though water conservation remains one of his major concerns, agricultural issues are also high on his agenda. As the chairman of The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Serageldin leads the group’s efforts to promote the “world’s largest ongoing cooperative effort to harness science for the sustainable agriculture for food security in the developing countries.”

When he first became CGIAR chairman in January 1994, Serageldin was confronted by a financial crisis of great proportions. The organization began to fail when the United States reduced its financial support and it faced an under-funded priority agenda of $220 million. Morale was low at CGIAR, and there was concern throughout the system. Faced with the organization’s eminent demise, Serageldin launched a major renewal program that saw the system reinvigorated, tripling the number of developing country members and creation of a new, sharply focused, priority agenda.

One would think, after noting Serageldin’s vast workload, he would be too busy to accept futher responsibility. However, in addition to last year’s appointment to the position of Vice President for Special Programs at the World Bank, (A promotion from VP of Environmentally and Socially Sustainable development, 93-98), Serageldin is also the chairman for the GWP, World Commission for Water in the 21st Century and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest. He also chairs a number of other development and human rights organizations, and somehow finds time to author numerous publications and articles on a wide variety of subjects. From human development and architecture, to genetically altered crops and Shakespeare, this well rounded erudite exhumes the aura of a modern-day Da Vinci. 

Boasting a record of dedication to sustainable development and education second to none, Serageldin was recently a leading candidate for the position of Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 
Though he had garnered the support of the Organization of African Unity and 300 eminent persons in the fields of education, science, culture, human and women’s rights, development and finance, the UNESCO position was ultimately awarded to another candidate. 

Not one to be discouraged, Serageldin has maintained his usual vigor for his work while focusing his attention on his other passion: writing. An author of more than 40 books and monographs (edited or authored) and 200 articles, book chapters, and technical papers on various topics, Serageldin is also one of the most prolific Egyptian writers of the 20th century.

Among his more recent publications are: “Nurturing Development” (1995), “Sustainability and the Wealth of Nations” (1996), “Architecture of Empowerment” (1997), “Rural Well-Being: From Vision to Action” (1997, with David Steeds), “The Modernity of Shakespeare” (1998), and “Biotechnology and Biosafety” (1999, with Wanda Collins).

When asked what fuels his desire to be a leader in so many fields, master countless disciplines and contribute to the betterment of mankind, Serageldin retains his stoicism, providing what sounds akin to the man’s mantra for living. 
“It’s all part and parcel of being a well-rounded human being,” he says casually. “We all need to delve a little deeper to unlock our untapped potential.” 
Perhaps Serageldin is not a man trapped in the wrong century, but, rather, a role model for those with hopes for the future.