Walden Bello

Walden Fabio Bello (born March 19, 1945) is a Filipino economist, academic, author, and political activist who has become one of Asia's most prominent voices critical of neoliberal globalization and corporate-driven development. Educated at Princeton University, Bello returned to the Philippines to work on issues of sustainable development, food security, and rural empowerment. He founded the Institute for Food and Development Policy and later Akbayan (Citizens Action Party), through which he served in the Philippine Congress from 1998 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2016. Bello has authored numerous influential books examining the failures of the World Bank, IMF, and free trade policies, offering alternative development models centered on local agriculture and community resilience. His work on food sovereignty and opposition to agricultural globalization have made him an influential figure in global social movements. As a public intellectual, Bello has lectured internationally and contributed to policy debates throughout Asia and beyond. His advocacy combines rigorous economic analysis with grassroots activism, making him a bridge between academic scholarship and social movements working for equitable development.