IMF / World Bank Annual Meetings
12-18th October 2026 | Bangkok, Thailand

Meet the 2026 IMF/World Bank Fellows

Jaswant Pendem

Jaswant is a final-year Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)/Bachelor of Science student in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Data Science at Curtin University. He applies Al to make renewable power systems safer and more reliable. Having lived in Brunei and Nigeria before settling in Western Australia, he saw how power reliability shapes study, health access and economic opportunity. His honours research examines predictive protection for solar PV and battery networks, supported by industry experience in energy data workflows. His policy focus is on Al-simulated grid stress testing for Pacific renewable-energy lending, so projects deliver reliable power systems, not panels alone.

Callum Trainor

Callum Trainor is a Stanford University graduate, maternal health researcher, and MD candidate with interests in public health, global health, and Indo-Pacific collaboration. He has undertaken further training through the Institut Pasteur, the Sorbonne in Paris, and Universitas Gadjah Mada. He has also published on child health and Indonesian health care.

As a Global Voices Fellow, his policy focus will explore how antenatal care funding and service design can be strengthened to reduce the number of small vulnerable newborns born in Australia, particularly in underserved communities.

Jolie Pang

Jolie is a third-year Financial Economics student at the University of Sydney with a strong interest in how fiscal policy shapes human capital and economic productivity. Alongside her studies, she contributed to an economic model for a global eyecare foundation's investment thesis, later presented to the UN, and conducted policy research with the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies through the University of Sydney Policy Reform Project. As a Global Voices Fellow, Jolie is examining Australia's HECS-HELP system and how reforming higher-education financing can support both equity and long-run growth.

Temaeva Legeay-Hill

Temaeva is an energy and climate economist driving Australia's Net Zero transition. Since 2021, she has shaped policy and finance across the Victorian Treasury, the Essential Services Commission, and financial communications. Now at Deloitte, she solves complex Net Zero challenges for governments and industry stakeholders.

Drawing on her Pacific Islander heritage, Temaeva amplifies regional perspectives as the Asset workstream lead at Deloitte's Pacific Community AU & PNG, and as former President of the Asia-Pacific Development Initiative. Currently, she is investigating the economic and geopolitical case for Australia building low-carbon liquid fuel refineries to become a global exporter.

What is the International Monetary Fund / World Bank Annual Meetings?

The IMF/WB Annual 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 organisations, and academics to discuss issues of global concern. Topics include the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness. Also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world's financial system.

These meetings aim to leverage the world’s economic capital to uplift developing nations out of poverty by utilising an array of economic levers and mechanisms. For Australia, it is important to ensure this capital is distributed to our neighbouring developing nations in the Pacific Region, to ensure positive health, education, and infrastructure outcomes.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

Be aged 18 - 30 for the full duration of the program
Be available for pre-departure training in Canberra 22nd-24th June 2026
Be available and able to travel for the full duration of the international delegation you are applying for
Be able to travel to the country of the delegation you are applying for
Have the ability to commit at least 5 hours per week to the fellowship program
Currently hold or can obtain a passport which is valid for at least 6-months after the end of your delegation
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Have not taken part in the Global Voices Fellowship Program before.

We are looking for delegates that have:

Personal and/or professional interest in the delegation’s purpose and issues
Potential to gain professionally and personally from the Fellowship Program
Intention to use this unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their communities
A desire to upskill in policy writing to create meaningful change.

There are 4 Fellowship streams you can apply for:

Sydney University FASS

If you are a student of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) (and meet all other eligibility requirements) with a passion for leadership and driving positive change, you can apply to attend the IMF/WB AM Sydney University FASS stream.

FASS seeks Global Voices Fellows who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to international affairs. Fellows must also be available for pre-departure training in Canberra and their selected international delegation while committing at least five hours per week to the program. Successful candidates will have a passion for global policy, the ability to engage in high-level discussions, and a drive to make an impact on the world stage.

Curtin University Stream

If you are a student of Curtin University (and meet all other eligibility requirements) with a passion for leadership and driving positive change, you can apply to attend the IMF/WB AM Sydney University FASS stream.

Fellows must also be available for pre-departure training in Canberra and their selected international delegation while committing at least five hours per week to the program. Successful candidates will have a passion for global policy, the ability to engage in high-level discussions, and a drive to make an impact on the world stage.

Global Voices National Scholarship

If you are an Australian aged between 18 and 30 years old (and meet all other eligibility requirements) with a passion for leadership and driving positive change, you can apply to attend the IMF/WB via our Global Voices National Scholarship.

At Global Voices we strive to make these opportunities as accessible as possible for everyone, and this year we are proud to open applications nationally for dedicated young people looking to make tangible policy change.

Calleo Indigenous Community Fund

If you identify as a First Nations Australian, you may be eligible to apply for a Global Voices Fellowship under the Calleo Indigenous Community Fund Stream

IMF / World Bank Annual Meetings 12-18th October 2026 | Bangkok, Thailand