"It's essential to bring humanism and spirituality into the public policy debate," said Sfeir-Yo... World Bank retiree sees a g

"It's essential to bring humanism and spirituality into the public policy debate," said Sfeir-Younis, 59, who grew up in Chile and now lives in Portugal after retiring from the World Bank two years ago, where he was a senior adviser focusing on human rights and globalization.

"By that, we mean a society that creates conditions where everyone can be both materially and spiritually rich," he said. "We need a transformation because right now we're promoting material wealth and spiritual poverty.

"Rich countries don't look at the human side of global commerce," he said. "We're failing when you look at Iraq or Sudan or Virginia Tech. We need to heal the world. The world is hurting because 250 million children don't go to school and women are dying in pregnancy because they have no access to health care."

Sfeir-Younis was invited to the area after he spoke to a gathering of Sisters of Saint Joseph in Milwaukee last summer. "He was very inspiring," said Sister Joanne St. Hilaire, a spiritual director who leads retreats locally. "He lifted me out of myself to a wider consciousness and that's what I hope his talks accomplish in Latham."

An economist, Sfeir-Younis holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Chile, a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island.

"I've been impressed with the Sisters of Saint Joseph," he said. "I came at their invitation because they're interested in the real problems of society. They see religion in poor, hungry children and in elderly people without pensions and with women without health insurance and living in poverty." Paul Grondahl can be reached at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.

What: Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, retired World Bank economist and human rights activist, on fighting poverty, world peace and spiritual transformation.

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