The opportunity provided by Global Voices and the UNSW Co-op program to attend the IMF & World Bank Meetings has been a once in a lifetime experience. I have a much broader perspective on so many issues and I am more motivated to become an even more active global citizen.
While a lot of the front-end meetings could be idealistic at times and often lacked debate around specific actions, I believe that the bilateral relationship building, diplomacy and information sharing that happens behind closed doors cements the relevance of the World Bank, IMF and the Annual Meetings as important global forums for global financial stability and sustainable development.
I was particularily encouraged by the discussion surrounding climate change and gender equality and financial inclusion. I found it very comforting that these issues were high on both the IMF and World Bank's agendas as they are such global issues with profound effects on humanity as a whole. I also found the policy shift within the two organisations encouraging. Rather than forcing countries to implement vanilla policy, countries are being empowered to leverage global resources to develop tailored solutions to suit the people, culture and political landscape. I believe this is embodied in the collective pursuit of inclusive growth and recognition that economic growth should is not the only measure of development.
While a lot of the front-end meetings could be idealistic at times and often lacked debate around specific actions, I believe that the bilateral relationship building, diplomacy and information sharing that happens behind closed doors cements the relevance of the World Bank, IMF and the Annual Meetings as important global forums for global financial stability and sustainable development.
I was particularily encouraged by the discussion surrounding climate change and gender equality and financial inclusion. I found it very comforting that these issues were high on both the IMF and World Bank's agendas as they are such global issues with profound effects on humanity as a whole. I also found the policy shift within the two organisations encouraging. Rather than forcing countries to implement vanilla policy, countries are being empowered to leverage global resources to develop tailored solutions to suit the people, culture and political landscape. I believe this is embodied in the collective pursuit of inclusive growth and recognition that economic growth should is not the only measure of development.