It’s a little daunting, knowing I’ll be in Europe for the 1st time in a little over 24 hours, but when you’re in the world’s diplomatic capital, it’ll be an incredible experience regardless of the small hiccups we might experience.
Beryl Matete: NZ public servants are thought leaders
The IMF/World Bank Annual meeting in Bali, Indonesia had a strong focus on Human Capital; promoting national spending on health and education programmes, to accelerate investments in people for greater equity and economic growth. Interestingly, the New Zealand government is developing, for the first time, a ‘wellbeing’ budget, featuring Human Capital (among other capitals) as a dimension to focus analysis. With New Zealand prepared to expand the application of this tool well beyond current international thinking, to cover all other sectors from justice to international trade, it would appear that New Zealand public servants can be counted among global thought leaders.
Sedef Duder-Özyurt: COP24 Shakedown
Since returning I’ve been subliminally categorising my life as “life before COP” and “life after COP”. I do this because so much shifted, transformed and solidified for me while I was in Bonn and has continued to do so ever since - a journey that has been disheartening yet inspiring and generally intense.
Nicolasa Fuller: IMF, I Mean Fashion
A few photos of some of the ‘looks’ at the IMF/ World Bank Annual Meetings 2018
On the international banking scene, I expected a lot of bankers in grey and black suits. And while there was plenty of monochrome, I was really surprised at the colour and diversity of the meetings.
Here are a few of the people I got chatting to - check out the fashion!
Nicolasa Fuller: Bali in a day
To finish the day we cooled off in a waterfall and then sang songs on the way home in the car. Budi live streamed this to his followers… they are likely disappointed by New Zealand’s musical talents!
Hopefully we put on a more sophisticated performance tomorrow as we register for the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings 2018.
Libby Rahman: Understanding Human Rights
The Age of Big Data, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence presents exciting opportunities for everyone but it also presents challenges such as protecting people’s right to privacy. I am really looking forward to attending sessions on disruptive technology at the Business and Human Rights Forum next month.
Jordan Zheng: T-1, Thoughts Before the 2018 WB/IMF Annual Meetings
Over these two weeks I hope to learn more about my team members and why they are passionate about the different projects they have decided to research. It’ll be really exciting to hang out with a bunch of Kiwis again, something I don’t have much opportunity to do since I moved to Australia for university. Hopefully, I will draw some inspiration from being among a bunch of individuals who are super passionate about important global issues.
Beryl Matete: Off to Bali
I’m heading off to the IMF/World Bank Annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia today with a group of talented young New Zealanders! My goal? To learn more about “well-being” indicators, particularly, how to design policies and services that improve the well-being of victims of crime.