Attending the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FF4D) was undoubtedly an insightful and deeply enriching experience. I had the opportunity to learn from a wide range of topics and to listen to diverse perspectives, experiences, and teachings shared by professionals and global leaders—from high-level politicians and renowned academics to inspiring civil society experts.
A few key takeaways I carry with me include: the importance of trust in multilateral relations, not only at a political or business level but also in interpersonal ones; and the severity of the global debt crisis affecting developing economies. While I had some awareness of this issue, hearing directly from experts and individuals living through it made me grasp its true scale and injustice. It also made me deeply appreciate the significance of gatherings like this—bringing countries together around common values and goals. These are values I first learned through Mary Ward’s legacy.
For this, I feel profoundly grateful to IBVM/CJ, and especially to Janet, Cecilia, and Marta for inviting me to be part of this experience. Being with them, and participating in this event brought back so many memories of my time as a former student of IBVM/CJ schools— not just what I learned in the classroom, but everything I took with me about how to engage with the world. It also reminded me of my time as a Youth Representative in Spain, and how special it was to be part of a such a globally engaged, forward-thinking, inclusive, and values-driven community, committed to real-world issues and to building a better world.
I was also grateful for the chance to reconnect with the youth space. I spent time with Irene, the Youth Representative at the time, who was incredibly welcoming, thoughtful, and inspiring. I also joined a hackathon organized by a youth-led African association, where I worked alongside young people from different countries and exchanged creative ideas for global issues.
FF4D showed me that despite the challenges and uncertainty we face globally, when people come together with trust and a common purpose, meaningful progress is still possible.
Author: María Pérez Manzano (Past student and previous Youth Representative Spain IBVM)
