Werklund School graduate student tackles global issues

Recently, Jason Ribeiro returned from Washington, DC where he attended the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The meetings are held to discuss issues of global concern including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development and aid effectiveness.

Ribeiro was one of five representatives from the Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) chosen to participate in the meetings. He won his spot on the delegation for his ideas about how the WBG and IMF could combat economic challenges.

"My proposals included ways in which both Bretton Woods institutions could become increasingly modernized, credible and true promoters of democracy through quota reform and by abandoning dated forecasting methods," says Ribeiro.

Currently a graduate student and SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholar in the Werklund School of Education, Ribeiro researches organizational leadership and business-education partnerships; these interdisciplinary interests allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the talks.

"I discussed the potential for cross-sector partnerships to impact sectors like clean energy, quality education and access to healthcare. I believe this proved useful at the World Bank Group as global projects often involve partners from both the public and private sectors. It is my hope that my interdisciplinary research will uncover the key leadership characteristics needed for these partnerships to build capacity and sustain their system-level innovations."

Ribeiro, who previously worked as a Policy Advisor on the Naheed Nenshi re-election campaign and as Director of the Alberta Graduate Provincial Advocacy Council, says he was excited to participate in the discussions surrounding such complex problems.

"I could not pass up the opportunity to wrestle with the policy issues that impact the sustainability and overall prosperity of the developing world."

Connecting with prominent policymakers from around the world was one of the many benefits Ribeiro experienced during his time in Washington.

"Meeting with international figures at the meetings including Canada's Ambassador and Deputy-Ambassador to the United States, Deputy Finance Minister, several other Canadians stationed at the World Bank Group and IMF, as well as other youth delegations was fascinating as it broadened the potential applications of my work and re-emphasized the importance of global partnerships for sustainable development."

One highlight of the trip was a group conversation with The Honouable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, which addressed Canada’s commitment to official development assistance and the newly-released Feminist International Assistance Policy.

"Her answers were thoughtful and highlighted Canada’s future priorities in ensuring that we must end poverty and inequality around the world," says Ribeiro.

In addition to these priorities, which are part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Ribeiro unsurprisingly stresses the importance of quality education and the role teachers can play.

"Concepts like global citizenship, environmental stewardship, sustainability, gender equality and human rights need to be emphasized everywhere – from the classroom to the office tower. Educators are uniquely positioned to embed these principles into their lesson plans and senior administrators can facilitate the system-wide awareness of these concepts into their everyday role functions like hiring, resource allocation and strategic planning."

But Ribeiro cautions that success can only be attained if all citizens are included.

"Our indigenous brothers and sisters continue to face disparities in many areas and we cannot in good conscience claim success in meeting these targets if stark improvements are not realized in these communities before 2030."

The YDC delegates are now compiling a report of their experience at the meetings and Ribeiro says he plans to promote the opportunity to UCalgary graduate students in hopes they will apply themselves.

"The University of Calgary is filled with diverse and talented individuals who should pursue this opportunity to represent their country on the world stage."