From Theory to Practice: Careers Development and Climate Finance

Progress on achieving the Paris Climate Agreement commitments and the United Nations 2023 Sustainable Development Goals has been stymied by a challenging global environment amid growing debt distress, increasing climate disasters, stubborn high interest rates and looming geopolitical tensions.  

As various international fora seek solutions to these enduring challenges, public officials in climate vulnerable countries are working in parallel to advance nationally driven initiatives for sustainable development.  

The V20 Climate Prosperity Fellowship Program, in partnership with the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Ministers of Finance, the Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) and the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS, University of London, seeks to provide public servants from V20 member countries with in-depth knowledge and training to address the challenges posed by an unfit-for-purpose global financial architecture as well as catalyze ambitious, development-positive climate action through nationally determined Climate Prosperity Plans. 

The inaugural 2023-2024 V20 Climate Prosperity Fellows cohort comprises early- to mid-career government officials from Ghana, Bangladesh, Honduras, Fiji, Bhutan, Kenya and others, working to advance nationally determined climate and development goals. A panel, hosted by the GDP Center and Pardee School of Global Studies, features speakers from the Fellowship and presents an opportunity for students to bridge the gap from the classroom to real world experience. 

How has the climate crisis transformed roles in government agencies, such as Ministries of Finance, that traditionally didn’t engage with environmental issues? How do government officials continue to navigate and innovate within a dynamic, high-stakes policy landscape? What does it mean for local communities when the global financial architecture is not fit-for-purpose—and what would it look like if it were? What words of wisdom do the V20 Climate Prosperity Fellows have for the next generation seeking to turn theory into practice with careers in international development and climate finance? 

On Thursday, April 25 from 4:00-6:30 PM EDT, join us for a panel discussion with speakers from prominent international financial institutions, the Pardee School of Global Studies, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellowship Program and more. 

Speakers:

• Dean Scott Taylor, Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies 
• Anna María Carrasquilla-Barrera, Former Chairman of the Board and Executive President, Fondo Latin-American de Reservas (FLAR); Boston University Alumna, LAW ‘02 
• Cecilia Nahon, Former Executive Director, Argentina and the Southern Cone, World Bank Group 
• Fritz-Gerald Louis, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellow, Haiti 
• Fathimath Mohamed Didi, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellow, The Maldives 
• Hillary Korir, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellow, Kenya 
• Kevin P. Gallagher, Director, Boston University Global Development Policy Center; Professor, Global Development Policy, Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies 

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rajen Kilachand Center, Eichenbaum Colloquium Room, 610 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, United States