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Matin Burt
Martin Burt is the founder and current CEO of Fundacion Paraguaya. He has led an active in promoting civil society in Paraguay and has also had experience in local and national government. He has a degree in Public Administration and Inter American Studies at the University of the Pacific, in California and a Master’s degree in Science, Technology, and Public Policy at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Burt is the founder and current CEO of Fundacion Paraguaya. He has led an active in promoting civil society in Paraguay and has also had experience in local and national government. He has a degree in Public Administration and Inter American Studies at the University of the Pacific, in California and a Master’s degree in Science, Technology, and Public Policy at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Burt started the Fundacion Paraguaya in 1985 and the country’s first microfinance program. He was also instrumental in starting the country’s first environmental protection foundation. From 1991 to 1993, he served as Vice Minister of Commerce. He was elected Mayor of the capital city of Paraguay, Asuncion, in 1996, and served a five year term.
The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship distinguished him as a 2004 Outstanding Social Entrepreneur at the recent World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. He has also recently received the 2005 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. In 2004 the Inter- American Development Bank gave him the Award for Excellence in Social Responsibility. He has also received the “Orbis Guaraniticus Award” from the UNESCO for the promotion of culture, the “Domingo Sarmiento Award” from the National History Academy of Argentina, the U.S. Eisenhower Fellowship Award, the Republic of China Eisenhower Fellowship Award, the Best Social Project Award by the Christians’ Business Association, and the Outstanding Young Person of the Year Award from the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Asuncion. Mr. Burt is married and has three children.
