Washington, USA
2024 World Bank & International Monetary Fund
Annual Meetings
The Annual and Spring Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations, and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.
YDC Delegates interact with experts from around the world while attending IMF-WBG Summit sessions and participating in meetings with stakeholders. The IMF-WBG Annual Meetings are an exclusive opportunity for Canadian youth to observe and learn from high-level discussions on international trade, finance, and comparative public policy.
Basem Abdelrahman, Head Delegate
Basem Abdelrahman, who lived on four different continents by the age of 10, has a deep-rooted interest in international relations. As an Investment Associate at Innate Capital Partners, he applies his analytical skills to the ethical fintech sector, making strides in global economic sustainability.
Basem holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Honors Business Administration from Western University and the Ivey Business School. Previously at Fulcrum Capital Partners, Basem managed transactions and strategic acquisitions, enhancing his skills in finance and corporate strategy. His role at Databook further demonstrated his ability to combine technology with strategic business solutions, advancing corporate influence and expansion strategies.
At Innate Capital Partners, his focus on ethical investments aligns with his passion for geopolitics, analyzing how international investments impact diversity and economic stability. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, Basem excels in communicating with diverse international stakeholders, enhancing cross-cultural collaboration. Eager to join the Young Diplomats of Canada, Basem aims to utilize his financial acumen and understanding of global dynamics to influence international diplomacy and policymaking, contributing to positive global change.
Carina Torre, Communications Coordinator
Carina Torre is a passionate student and researcher at McGill University, where she is pursuing a degree in Political Science and History. Her aspirations to play a role in creating a better future have led her in many directions - among these, she has led coding programs aimed at inspiring young women to pursue STEM, assisted with afterschool programs for disabled youth, and advocating for wildlife protection as the youngest-ever board member on Humane Canada's board of directors. Carina is passionate about working to reduce issues related to gender-based violence. As a researcher in McGill's Faculty of Education, she has explored arts-based educational methods for addressing gender-based violence. She currently works helping to address and prevent domestic and sexual violence in the McGill community through her position at her school's Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support, and Education.
As a Métis woman with ties to Treaty 6 in Saskatchewan, she is passionate about pouring into Indigenous communities. She has assisted with the implementation of McGill’s Indigenous student researcher summer program, served as a mentor to Indigenous youth in CEGEP, and participated in projects aimed at improving the experiences of Indigenous students in the postsecondary setting.
Hawa Mariam Keita, Delegate
Hawa, a distinguished leader in sustainability recognized among Canada's top 30 under 30 by Corporate Knights, discovered her passion for sustainable development through her role as the Executive Director of CEED, an international nonprofit dedicated to youth skills development.
Her vibrant energy spills over into academia and international cooperation. Leading the Concordia Africa Initiative, Hawa nurtures projects that bridge youth entrepreneurship and employment opportunities between Concordia University and Africa.
She possesses a robust understanding of sustainable development in diverse regions, including Canada, Senegal, Uganda, and Colombia, and focuses on empowering youth and women entrepreneurs through education and skills development. Hawa holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Professional Certification in Sustainable Investment from Concordia University, and an MBA from McGill University. Her commitment to sustainable development is underscored by her dedication to creating positive change through innovative programs and initiatives.
Charlotte Bernier, Delegate
Charlotte is a student at University Laval in public affairs and international relations who developed an interest in social movements at an early age. It was through student associations that she had the chance to represent students and the youth through causes such as the climate crisis, feminism and student financial insecurity. Charlotte always kept a growing interest for writing and communications and had the chance to be the editor in chief of her student newspaper in high school and a writer in her Cegep’s and university faculty’s magazine. She also developed a disciplined spirit through the practice of competitive cross-country running at a national level.
In spite of her varied involvements, she currently participates in different committees in her baccalaureate such as the social committee and the sports committee. At last, she’s growing a passion for international relations especially as a research assistant at the Canada Research Chair in International Political Economy. This passion will guide her on her journey with Canada's delegation of young diplomats.
Jacky Fung, Delegate
Jacky is a pilot officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) with an undergraduate degree in psychology. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in International Relations at Harvard University.
Born in Hong Kong and immigrating to Canada as a teenager, Jacky brings a rich and diverse perspective to international issues, informed by his varied experiences and academic background. Jacky's keen interest in finance has led him to volunteer at a private fund, broadening his understanding of global economic dynamics. This volunteer work, combined with his military career, has equipped him with a unique and comprehensive understanding of global affairs. Jacky is deeply committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion on the international stage, ensuring that diverse voices are represented and heard.
Beyond his academic and military commitments, Jacky aims to contribute to strategic planning in the Indo-Pacific region, leveraging his skills and knowledge to address complex geopolitical challenges. His dedication to service and learning drives him to make meaningful contributions to the global community, advocating for inclusive and equitable policy solutions.
Kevin Good, Delegate
Hello, my name is Kevin Good, and I come from Snuneymuxw and Tseshaht First nations. I worked in the Provincial Government as an IYIP Intern (Indigenous Youth Internship Program) where I worked in a Ministry for 9 months and an Indigenous organization for three months. My placements were in the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development for FireSmart BC and the Moose Hide Campaign. During my time in the Ministry, I created and managed my own project, where I sent out a FireSmart education package to all 203 first nation communities across BC and where I wrote my first proposal to FireSmart Canada, and it was accepted. Not long after, I was accepted into UNITE 2030’s, CAMP 2030 program where other youth and myself created Sustainable Development Goal solutions (we addressed SDG#6 Clean Water and Sanitation) which we presented to a panel of judges “as a UN Foundation Initiative that aligns with UN High-Level Week [and] as part of the United Nations General Assembly.”
Furthermore, I recently returned from Geneva, attending United Nations for Expert Mechanisms on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, where I provided a joint policy recommendation to create International Marine Protected Areas. I am currently working for a non-profit organization called Fraser Basin Council as the program lead on the Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities (EPIC) program and support the Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program. I Help build capacity with-in indigenous and provide energy efficiency education to many indigenous nations across BC. I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Young Diplomats Canada, to grow my leadership skills and knowledge. Moreover, I am looking forward to fostering relationships and networks, as it is an invaluable experience to participate in and making meaningful change with like- minded Youth.