In Memoriam: Professor Giovanni Andrea Cornia From Andrea Rossi, Regional Adviser Social Policy and Economic Analysis, UNICEF

On July 10, 2024, Professor Giovanni Andrea Cornia left us. Andrea dedicated his life to children’s rights worldwide and the advancement of economic knowledge. He was the first Chief Economist in UNICEF, and his work with Sir Richard Jolly and Frances Stewart on “Adjustment with a Human Face” remains one of the most important contributions made by UNICEF to the Development thinking.

I met him on my first day at the UNICEF Innocenti Research Center many years ago, and our talks at the end of our working days on different topics, from mortality in Russia, to global challenges, to the importance of economists in UNICEF, always with humour and attention, is something I still remember with great admiration.

He shaped many development economists worldwide. His contributions to UNICEF and the academic community have left an indelible mark, and he will be remembered for his commitment to social justice and children.