Insubria and the Community: Honoris Causa Degrees

Mario Monti
Honorary Degree in Law
March 29, 2004

Mario Monti (born in Varese - 1943) is an eminent italian economist. He holds a degree in economics and management from Bocconi University (Milan) and completed graduate studies at Yale University, USA. In 1994, he was appointed to the European Commission, along with Emma Bonino, by the Berlusconi I government.

Starting in 1995, he was responsible for internal market, financial services and financial integration, customs, and taxation.
Four years later, Massimo D'Alema's government confirmed him for the new Commission under the presidency of Romano Prodi.

From 1999 to 2004 he was a member of the European Commission responsible for competition, where he became famous for starting an anti-monopoly lawsuit against Microsoft.
He also led the investigation into the proposed merger between General Electric and Honeywell in 2001, which the commission blocked.

Since 1994 he has been the President of Bocconi University.

In the occasion of Insubria H.C. Degree, Professor Monti delivered the Lectio Magistralis address “Unione Europea e interesse nazionale”.