Prof. Clelio Campolina Diniz is the rector of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) and member of the National Council for Social and Economic Development (CDES). He has acted as Dean of Economics, Accountancy and Business at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, president of the Technology Park in Belo Horizonte and of the Economics sector of the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES), among several others. He is recognized as one of the leading researchers in regional development in Brazil, and is the author of a vast awarded research on the field.