Giancarlo Ibárgüen (born Oct. 15, 1963) was a leading figure in the free-market movement in Guatemala, as well as around the world through his various intellectual endeavors. Atlas Network is sad to have lost this great friend and ally, who passed away on March 9.
Ibárgüen was president of Atlas Network partner Universidad Francisco Marroquín between 2003 and 2013, where he received numerous awards and held many positions. He was the chairman and founder of the Antigua Forum, president of Atlas Network partner Centro de Estudios Económico-Sociales and the Association of Private Enterprise Education, secretary of the Mont Pelerin Society, and a board member of Atlas Network partners Liberty Fund and the Philadelphia Society.
Rocio Guijarro, general manager of CEDICE (Venezuela); Dr. Alex Chafuen, president of Atlas Network; and Giancarlo Ibárgüen at Atlas Network's Freedom Dinner in 2010.
“Giancarlo has exhibited an unparalleled generosity and an accepting spirit,” said Atlas Network President Alejandro Chafuen earlier this year while handing Ibárgüen the first Giancarlo Ibárgüen Freedom Award, from Atlas Network partner the Hispanic American Center for Economic Research (HACER). “His openness toward innovation, his penchant for discovery, and his tireless, always optimistic work in the face of many a challenge (in his personal life as much as in his commitment to his work and his country) have made Ibárgüen a role model for our generation and for generations to come.”
Atlas Network CEO Brad Lips summarizes the thoughts of many by describing Ibárgüen as “one of the wisest, kindest, most visionary leaders in the freedom movement.”
Giancarlo Ibárgüen at Atlas Network's Freedom Dinner in 2010.
Atlas Network is proud to have worked with Ibárgüen throughout the past few decades, and he will be greatly missed.
“He was a colleague, a role model, an inspiration,” Chafuen said. “During these last two decades I shared time with him at several organizations that benefited from his leadership, including the Francisco Marroquín University, Liberty Fund, the Mont Pelerin Society, and the Philadelphia Society. It was a privilege to launch the HACER Ibárgüen Freedom Award this past January and be able to say thanks to him in person.”
For those who would like to leave a message for Ibárgüen’s family, Universidad Francisco Marroquín has arranged a dedicated web page.
- Read more from Universidad Francisco Marroquín about the life and legacy of Giancarlo Ibárgüen (link in Spanish).
