The Holy Father has appointed Professor Jeffrey David Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University in New York, as an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Jeffrey David Sachs, born on 5 November 5, 1954, in Detroit. He graduated in economics from Harvard University. He is an economist and public policy analyst with expertise in sustainable development, economic development, and poverty alleviation. He has taught at Harvard University and was director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. He is currently president of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he is also a professor.

The Pontifical Academicians are no less than 20 and no more than 40 men and women, ensuring suitable representation of the various disciplines of the social sciences and geographical regions. They are appointed by the Holy Father after being elected by the Academic body on the basis of their competencies and outstanding contributions in the social sciences and of their moral integrity.

The Pontifical Academicians take part in the sessions organized by the Academy. Their deliberations and scientific papers are published by the Academy and they also have the right to propose candidates for nominations and subjects for work. They assemble in the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican.

The Academy is headed and governed by a President who acts with the assistance of the Council of the Academy. The President is appointed by the Supreme Pontiff, to whom he or she reports directly, and is assisted by the Chancellor. The President represents the Academy and directs its progress. The Council is made up of the President and five members of the Academy appointed by the Supreme Pontiff, on the proposal of the President, after consultation with the Academicians.
Nomination to the Academy is a privilege reserved to the members.