President of the Population Institute, Werner Fornos, has been described as the foremost spokesman on global population issues.

A distinguished administrator, having held high national and state office, he has also served four years as a Maryland State Legislator. Fornos has addressed virtually all major international gatherings on population, dating back to 1974. He continually appears before many other groups around the world, including extensive presentations in China where he is an Honorary Professor of International Relations at Sichuan University.

Werner Fornos makes frequent national television and radio appearances and contributes newspaper and magazine articles that appear in such publications as The New York Times, Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle and Kansas City Star. He is the author of the book, "Gaining People; Losing Ground."

Named one of the 100 most influential persons in development and environment by the New York based Earth Times newspaper for the third consecutive year, Mr. Fornos is also a multiple Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow; a recipient of the Humanist of the Year Award; recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Maryland and most recently recipient of the Order of Merit from Germany, the highest distinction granted to a non-German citizen in recognition of humanitarian efforts. Mr. Fornos is a member of the Washington, DC Rotary Club and a life member of the Rotary Fellowship on Population and Development. He is also an elected member of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, Silver Owl member of the National Press Club and member of the National committee of the United Nations Association.

He has dedicated his energies and talents to speaking to diverse audiences, from college students and civic organizations, to U.S. and UN officials --- pressing for "rational solutions to the population problem."