In Memoriam

Sven Burmester (1940-2024)

Sven Burmester (born 29 July 1940 in Aalborg, died 24 September 2024 in Copenhagen. He was a Danish author, social debater and deputy director of the World Bank.

He graduated from Aalborg Cathedral School in 1959. Cand. sci. from the University of Copenhagen (organic chemistry) in 1967. Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from Princeton University in 1971.

From 1971 to 1997 he was employed by the World Bank in several different positions, including secretary to the bank’s president (Robert McNamara), head of several of the bank’s divisions, deputy director and finally the bank’s representative in Egypt.

From 1997 to 2001 he was head of the UN Population Fund in China and North Korea. Afterwards he was an author and lecturer. Sven Burmester was an adjunct professor at several educational institutions, including Aalborg University, the University of Alexandria, Egypt and the Sichuan Reproductive Health Institute in Chengdu, China. He was also a Danish member of the Trilateral Commission. Sven Burmester lived in Washington D.C. for many years, but his last time was in Copenhagen.

 

Submitted by Michael Mertaugh from Danish Wikipedia.