Alejandro
Celestino Toledo Manrique
“Peruvian Economist and Politician, President of Peru
2001 - 2006.”
BIOGRAPHY
SOME FACTS of his
PERSONAL LIFE
Born on March 28th, 1946 in the village of
Ferrer, Bolognesi in Ancash department of Peru.
But he was registered in Cabana a
nearby town in Pallasca Province, Ancash.
“REALLY MODEST ORIGINS”
Son of indigenous poor peasants
His parents were Anatolio Toledo and Margarita
Manrique. Alejandro was the 8th son in a family of 16 brothers and
sisters. But seven died during infancy, due precarious conditions of the
family. Toledo grew in a house with no electricity or running water.
“CHILDHOOD and YOUTH in CHIMBOTE”
His family moved in search of a
better future
When he was four years old, his family moved to
Chimbote, a quite important fishing town in the coast of Ancash. There he lived
until about 18 years old.
“ADULT LIFE”
Married twice with Eliane Karp / Father
of two daughters
Questioning his behaviour
Despite he seems to be a very good professional, it is said his personal
life was and is quite questionable. In 1972 Toledo married Eliane Karp, a
French-born anthropologist he met at Stanford University. Then divorced in 1992
and married again in 1997. She was an important support during his presidential
campaign and presidency. They have a daughter called Chantal. But he has
another daughter in an extra marital relation, called Sarai, whom he haven´t
legally recognized, until while President this scandal was publicized and due
pressure he did it. Also while president apparently he had another extra
marital relation with a police girl. It is also said that he drinks a lot of
alcohol. And this year 2013, he is being investigated because of supposed
corruption and illicit acts due the purchase done by his mother in law of
really expensive properties and he is giving contradictory explanations that arises
many doubts. Many people consider him as a liar.
HIS STUDIES
“SCHOOL IN PERU”
Years of huge
effort: Studied and had to work since childhood
Public primary school / Public high school
Alejandro Toledo went to school in Chimbote. He had to
work since childhood, shining shoes or selling newspapers or candies, combining
studies with simple jobs. Then, Toledo was supposed to abandon school and get a
better job to help the family economically, but his teacher´s encouraged him to
continue schooling and he did it by working nights and weekends, and could
finish high school in the “Gran Unidad Escolar San Pedro de Chimbote”. He was
the 1st in his family to achieve this.
“UNIVERSITY IN THE U.S.A.”
A good example of how a poor child made it to be a prosperous man through
education.
Bachelor / Two Masters / PhD
Hopes for a
better future appeared when two Peace Corps volunteers arrived to Chimbote and
stayed in his house. Toledo was introduced to the outside world, and the two
Americans motivated him to apply for a local civic group´s scholarship to study
in the USA and he received a one-year-grant. After this year, he entered to the
University of San Francisco to a program for non-English speakers. He obtained
a partial soccer scholarship and worked part-time and reached to graduate in
1970 as Bachelor in Economics and Business Administration. Then at Stanford University obtained
in 1971 a master in Economics and Human Resources; in 1972 a master of Economy
and in 1993 a PhD in the Economics of Human Resources.
HIS WORK LIFE
Quite good curriculum
“Alejandro Toledo has WORKED in SEVERAL
NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL important ORGANIZATIONS.”
After finishing
school he worked in Chimbote as a news correspondent, and made it to interview
important politicians.
Then from 1974
to 1994 he worked as professor, lecturer, consultant or investigator in
important national and international organizations, such as Stanford University;
American University, Harvard Institute, Universidad del Pacífico, and ESAN in
Lima; University of Waseda in Tokyo; Japan Foundation; Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development” in Paris; the Inter American Development Bank
in Washington D.C. and the World Bank. During these years he was also Chairman
of the Economic Advisory Committee to the “Central Reserve Bank” and the “Labour
Minister” in Peru and has directed the “Institute for Economic and Labour
Studies in Lima”. Moreover he led an evaluation for the “ONU”
of ´Impact of Macroeconomic
Policies on Growth, Employment and Salaries´ in six Central American countries.
In 2008 Toledo founded
and was President of the “Global Center for Development and Democracy”, based in Latin America,
the U.S.A
and the European
Union,
that has the aim to increase democracy and alleviate poverty in developing
countries. To Promote social equality, governance, economic stability and
sustained growth, a world without poverty and social exclusion.
He is Member of:
the “United
Nations
Steering Committee on the Human Development Report for Latin America” / “Club of Madrid”
(pro democracy) / “International Board of Governors of the Peres Center for Peace in Israel”.
Most of his
actual activities are focused on economical, political and social issues facing
Latin America. (Democracy, economic prosperity, investment policies, trade, strategies
to fight poverty and inequality, organized crime and climate change.)
HIS POLITIC LIFE
“1994 –
PAIS POSIBLE “
Political Party founded by Alejandro Toledo
Independent
Presidential candidate - 1994 / Political POSITION: CENTRE
He was still unpopular and obtained only 3% of the vote, (Alberto Fujimori last
President was re-elected).
A book written by Toledo, “Cartas sobre la mesa” appeared in 1995. It
compiled his testimony and proposals for a “possible country” and denounced
corruption and politics of previous governments.
“1999 - PERU
POSIBLE”
The party changed of name and started to gain
popularity
By the year 2000, Toledo was the closer rival of Fujimori, who had
dictatorially achieved to be re-elected for a 3rd period (it is said
that fraud was made and that the real winner was Toledo). But in November 2000,
Fujimori escaped to Japan, because he as accused of corruption. After a
transitional government of Valentin Paniagua, in 2001, Peruvians where called
to new elections.
“2001 - POLITICAL
CAMPAIGN”
Toledo became one of the favourites candidates,
mainly because:
1. He was
seen as the STRONGEST LEADER of OPPOSITION to Fujimori.
2. RACIAL
ISSUE: 1st possible Peruvian INDIGENOUS PRESIDENT.
He called himself “The CHOLO” to make Peruvian indigenous and cholos feel
close to him and have hopes of future attention.
His background, his manners and his attitude attracted also non-indigenous
and higher social-economic classes. He promised to respect democracy and to reach
a viable growth with a more humanized economy.
“2001 – 2006 PRESIDENT OF PERU”
Alejandro Toledo won presidential elections with
52.23%
His closer competitor was Alan García with 47.77%.
He became the 1st INDIGENOUS PRESIDENT democratically elected
ever in Peru and also in South America in the last 500 years.
“2011 – PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS”
Alejandro Toledo tried to be re elected for a
new presidential period
But
failed
Ended in 4th place. The winner was President
Ollanta Humala.
“2013”
His politic life is in a really hard moment due
probability of corruption.
But in
Peru, you never know.
By: ALONSO PADILLA
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