Pardee School Hosts Panel on Climate Finance with V20 Fellows
The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies recently co-hosted a panel discussion on moving from theory to practice with careers in international development and climate finance. The event featured the inaugural cohort of the V20 Climate Prosperity Fellowship Program during their residency at Boston University the week of April 25th.
The Fellowship Program, co-organized by the Pardee School’s Global Development Policy (GDP) Center, the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS University of London, and the Vulnerable 20 (V20) group of finance ministers, provides training to public servants from V20 countries on addressing climate change through innovative financial policies and solutions.
The panel lineup included GDP Center Director Kevin Gallagher as moderator, Pardee School Dean Scott Taylor, former World Bank executive Cecilia Nahon, BU alumna Anna María Carrasquilla-Barrera of the Latin American Development Bank, Fritz-Gerald Louis, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellow, Haiti, Fathimath Mohamed Didi, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellow, The Maldives, and Hillary Korir, V20 Climate Prosperity Fellow, Kenya.
The wide-ranging discussion explored how the climate crisis is transforming roles within government agencies like finance ministries that traditionally did not engage with environmental issues. Panelists examined the challenges government officials face in navigating the high-stakes policy landscape and innovating within an outdated global financial architecture not designed for climate solutions.
The V20 Fellows offered insights from their first-hand experience on the frontlines of climate action, sharing perspectives on what it means for local communities when global finance falls short and what positive reforms could look like. They also provided wisdom for the next generation seeking careers in sustainable development and climate finance.
The event aimed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice in sustainable development and climate finance careers. It was timed to take advantage of the Pardee School’s “thesis week” when the campus is quieter to maximize engagement with students.
The panel was part of the V20 Climate Prosperity Fellows’ residency week at Boston University hosted by the GDP Center and Pardee School.