World Bank Talent Outreach Program

The World Bank Talent Outreach Program offered students and young professionals from Southeast Asia studying or working in the United States opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and learn. The program also highlighted career paths in global development, particularly within the World Bank Group (WBG). The event took place on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. It was made possible through collaboration among PERMIAS (the Indonesian Students Association in the United States) Washington DC Chapter, Mata Garuda Amerika, the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Indonesia Staff Association (ISA)—well known as WBG-IMF ISA, with sponsorship from the EDS16 Office representing the World Bank Southeast Asia Voting Group. The program included a plenary session and breakout sessions tailored to participants’ academic backgrounds and professional goals. Participants Enthusiasm This program generated strong interest from multidisciplinary participants across Southeast Asia. Of the 186 registered participants, 157 attended the plenary session and group discussion. Including 15 volunteers, the total number of participants was 172. Participants represented a diverse range of countries from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including Indonesia, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, and Cambodia. This diversity reflects the World Bank’s commitment to engaging global talent from various backgrounds. Academic and Professional Institution Representation Participants represented both academic and professional backgrounds from leading U.S. institutions, including Harvard University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, University of Michigan, and New York University (NYU). The event also attracted professionals interested in launching careers in international development. Plenary Session: Career Insights from World Bank Group Human Resources The plenary session featured a panel from the World Bank Group Human Resources team, including Anna Frick, Emeralda Puspa Kalyana, Lovita Hamdan, and Rahayu Novianti. The panelists provided comprehensive insights into the recruitment process, internship opportunities, and long-term career paths at the World Bank Group. The discussion highlighted the competencies required and strategies for preparing to begin a career in a global development organization. Thematic Discussion and Breakout Sessions To enhance participants’ understanding, the event continued with breakout sessions organized around key themes: People, Planet, Prosperity, Infrastructure, Digital Transformation, and General Management Units. Each session featured professionals from various World Bank Group departments, including Diego Ambasz, Kebede Feda, Ali Subandoro, Abidah Setyowati, Bramka Arga Jafino, Uzma Khalil, Margaret Triyana, Yarissa Lyngdoh Sommer, Vivek Sharma, and others. Through these discussions, participants gained practical insights into the dynamic work environment at the World Bank Group, including global development challenges and the contributions young professionals from diverse sectors can make. Growing Access, Connection, and Aspiration The World Bank Talent Outreach Program serves as both a forum and a platform for building connections across countries and disciplines. The program aims to expand Southeast Asians' access to global career opportunities and encourage young people to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. This collaboration across communities and institutions is a concrete step toward preparing future talent to participate in the international scene, particularly within the global development ecosystem. Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for important updates and information!