What happens when dozens of World Bank retirees get together inside the institution’s headquarters to talk about the future of leadership at the world’s largest international financial institution?
On Tuesday we found out. Members of the World Bank alumni group known as the 1818 Society gathered for their 37th annual meeting. The most buzzed about session asked the question, “What should the world expect of the World Bank Group President?” According to retirees present at the gathering, the ability to listen to current bank staff is among the most important qualities a president needs.
The next president of the World Bank should “not come with any agenda,” said former Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank Eugene Rotberg. Instead, Rotberg encouraged the next president to ask 100 staff members what their priorities are, what initiatives they want on the table, and what the constraints are to seeing them happen. He encouraged that hypothetical bank chief to ask staff, “what keeps them up at night with worry and concern.”
About the author
Jeff Tyson@jtyson21
Jeff is a former global development reporter for Devex. Based in Washington, D.C., he covers multilateral affairs, U.S. aid, and international development trends. He has worked with human rights organizations in both Senegal and the U.S., and prior to joining Devex worked as a production assistant at National Public Radio. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations and French from the University of Rochester.
