ABSTRACT
R. Albert Berry’s name is known in scholarly and developmental circles around the world. Although his work is best known in Latin America, he has written and advised all around the world – in the Philippines, Pakistan and South Africa, among other places. Al Berry’s work is characterized by a focus on critically important and challenging questions in the community of development scholars and practitioners; reliance upon but extreme care with the most relevant data; the caution of a true scholar in the interpretation of such data as are reliable; and, a deep humanitarian concern. Albert first came to Colombia at a very important moment in its history: the country had managed to stabilize itself after a decade of political and economic difficulties and was in the midst of a period of relatively fast economic growth. Albert’s own research work on Colombia was truly a pioneer effort in many areas.
