You are here

 > Home > About Us > People > Ali Bayar

Can we change the world? 

As I grew up and learned about history I had no doubts about our capacity to change the world, to make it a better place to live and to work. I thought I could help to change the world if I understood better how it operated. Given the important role the economy plays in society I decided to study economics. As I was also fascinated by mathematics and physics, I naturally turned towards econometrics and did my PhD on general equilibrium modeling. Since then, I try to develop and use models, which address real-life issues, which can help policy/decision makers to make better decisions. Alongside my research and teaching at the Free University of Brussels (where I hold a Chair in Political Economy), I have been working with the European Commission, the World Bank, the United Nations, several governments, public and private sector institutions. For a couple of years I was a Principal Administrator in the Econometric Modeling Unit of the European Commission.

In order to develop policy oriented modeling activities, a couple of colleagues/friends and I decided to set up the EcoMod Network. We succeeded in setting up a fully cooperative and friendly working environment. I have tremendous joy working with the EcoMod people, and we all do work very hard. We also have a lot of fun! I have learned over the years that it is important to work with people you like, respect, and have fun with. When you have a great team, the work goes more smoothly and is much more enjoyable.

I was born in Turkey where my mother and most family members still live. I go there quite often to visit them. I live in Brussels. My daughter Devrim is an MA student in Curatorial Studies. I am a very lucky father: Devrim is a marvelous and generous source of knowledge on contemporary art for me. I love traveling (and fortunately travel very often), music, movies, walking, swimming, biking, taking pictures and getting together with friends.

While I am writing this short note for you it is snowing in Brussels and our cat, Philo is very happy to be inside and he sleeps deeply near the heat.

Thanks for taking time to visit my page. I hope I will meet you sometime.