To welcome, support and advocate on behalf of WBG families worldwide
ANNUAL REPORT
Mary Summers President Hely Khan President Operations
Honorary President – Ritu Banga Remarks World Bank Family Network Annual Membership Meeting
Good morning!
It is an honor to have this opportunity to address our community.
Over the past year, I have enjoyed meeting staff and spouses in Asia, Africa, South America, and here at headquarters.
The conversations that I have had reflect the pride that our people feel in being part of a meaningful and historic organization with a mission to transform our world.
These conversations also revealed the many challenges that our staff and families face as a part of their work – including the difficulties that expat families have in connecting with local communities, schools, and even making friendships with local World Bank families.
They hold a deep desire to feel connected to the places and people in their communities.
Equally, I found in these conversations that local staff and families in most countries are unaware of the World Bank Family Network. They feel disconnected from World Bank expat staff and families living in their country, and far removed from regional and Washington, DC based initiatives.
I believe that the World Bank Family Network can be a powerful force to help bridge these divides and forge these connections to create a strong community for our staff and families – globally and locally.
This year, together with the Art Program and other organizations within the Bank, we launched our first such outreach with the inaugural World Bank Children’s Art Prize. This initiative asked children of World Bank families around the world to envision the future they want for themselves and submit works of art around the theme of a "livable planet.”
Thursday, May 09, 2024
overwhelmingly, submitting over 700 entries. Each piece reflected a unique perspective, showcasing the immense talent of our next generation.
If you haven’t seen it – you must visit the exhibit in the atrium.
It also achieved something else. It encouraged conversations between staff parents, spouses, and children about the work that the World Bank does, about the future we’re working to build, about inequality and environmental stewardship. It connected our families to the mission of the Bank.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we developed these events not just as activities, but platforms for meaningful engagement? A space where the voices of our families resonate with the Bank's values?
This is in part the goal of our Teen Summer Program, which we are beginning to expand to countries worldwide – beyond our headquarters. In doing so, we are working to ensure inclusivity, allowing every young person in our Family Network to connect with the Bank's mission, regardless of location.
We can go even further to create awareness and engage the youth across the countries we operate in, leveraging not only our families but also the wider community. By empowering our families to become our Ambassadors, we would not only enrich their local connections but also sow seeds of long-term enthusiasm for the Bank's mission among the next generation of leaders in the countries where our staff and families live and work..
the success of the Model UN program, to unite schools, educators, students, and the World Bank globally. Through this platform, participants would gain invaluable insights into the Bank's mission and operations while honing essential skills like critical thinking and debate.
This initiative would not only spark global curiosity but also lay the groundwork for establishing enduring partnerships with schools worldwide. This strategic investment in our support network would expand our reach and underscore our commitment to fostering lasting collaborations for the benefit of our families and the communities we serve.
Our aim – the mission of the World Bank Group Family Network – is to help build a strong community for the families of staff members. The vision for our network is clear: a globally inclusive, decentralized approach that places our diverse families at the center. Through community engagement, educational partnerships, and innovative programming, we will build a network that mirrors the dynamic world we serve.
Thank you for your dedication to this vision. I am excited to continue building this community we all cherish.
Ritu Banga
Highlights of the year
Where We Are: FY24 Better and Braver Together
At the start of FY24, WBFN welcomed its new Honorary President, Ritu Banga. Ritu’s active partnership with WBFN has quickly enabled new worldwide visibility for our organization while simultaneously enabling new insights into our global member experience and operations. While implementing our FY24 strategies, we took the additional step of activating a priority plan that positions WBFN to further improve the WBFN member experience at a pace and scope that leverage our Honorary President’s role and support.
FY24 Strategic Results Highlights
Enrich the membership engagement experience:
- New Men’s Interest Group pilot
- New drop-in Beginner’s English Group, to continue in Fall FY25
- New digital brochure and Welcome Handbook for new members
- New Annual Fall Contributor Recognition Breakfast to increase member recognition
- Improved survey methods that increase feedback results, data analysis, and data-driven decision making to inform program changes
- Highly acclaimed, high participation career seminar on ‘Finding a Short-Term Consultancy’
- Full structured assessment of all core WBFN programs.
Decentralize the WBFN experience:
- Standard WBFN templates for worldwide communications and information materials to support “one WBFN” look and feel, tailored for each locale.
- Increased offerings of flagship programs offered within our worldwide communities that include Childrens Holiday gatherings, picnics, recognition events, and Virtual Career Lab.
SA/COSA partnerships worldwide.
- Support to families evacuating from Haiti to Dominican Republic using expertise gained from worldwide experience with family evacuations from Afghanistan and Ukraine
Deepen Partnerships within and outside in the World Bank
- Deepened Inter-American Development Bank Family Association (IDB FA) and International Monetary Fund Family Association (IMF FA) partnerships, through a “welcoming” practices information exchange, sharing information on worldwide offerings, and continued commitment to best practices in delivery of the flagship Teen Summer Program
- Key partner support to WB Domestic Abuse Prevention Program (DAPP). WBFN President moderated a panel of experts on Tech Abuse in the Fall and presented an overview of the Family Network at the Respectful Workplace Advisors Community Conference in the Spring
- New partnership with World Bank Information Security (ITSIS) to offer safety-focused ‘Digital Hygiene’ seminars to WBFN families in Spring 2024, with plans for future offerings on digital safety topics important to our membership.
- Sponsored joint yoga and meditation event at HQ and in several CO’s, garnering very high participation level
2024 Spring Meeting, and the prize- winning piece will be highlighted on the 2024 WB holiday card.
Where We Are Going: FY25 Forward Together
Our WB Family Network is well positioned for growth and success in FY25. While we look at aggregate results to focus our priorities, our definition of successful change is measured one member at a time, each time we interact. The most successful way to go forward is together. Thank you for entrusting your WBFN leadership with the discernments and decisions that have led to the results highlighted here, and more! It is our honor to represent you, going forward together.
Mary Summers– President Hely Khan - President Operations
- Collaborator with WB Art Program, supporting
Hely Khan
Mary Summers
Mary Summers
WBFN President
The Art Prize
Ritu Banga
WBFN Honorary President
Hely Khan
WBFN President Operations
By invitation from WBG President Ajay Banga and WBFN Honorary President Ritu Banga in February, the Art Program and the Family Network joined forces to launch the World Bank Children’s Art Prize, a new contest for all WBG children.
The theme of the inaugural contest was “Livable Planet”.
Communications to all staff and WBFN members
1,277 hours 29 volunteers
Marina Galvani
Art Curator
Paul Corsi, Catherine Mathieu, Mimi Besha WBFN Staff
The Art Prize Winners
Overall 1st Place Winner- 5y/o Kazakhstan
Overall 2nd Place Winner- 10y/o
By invitation from WBG President Ajay Banga and WBFN Honorary President Ritu Banga in February, the Art Program and the Family Network joined forces to launch the World Bank Children’s Art Prize, a new contest for all WBG children. The theme of the inaugural contest was “Livable Planet”.
Overall 3rd Place Winner- 11y/o USA
Moldova
The Art Prize Jury
This project has been a collaborative effort among several World Bank Group teams and volunteers. Key contributors include the World Bank Family Network, External and Corporate Relations, and the Art Program and Interactive Media teams within Global Corporate Solutions.
Resources
Activities
• GCS Budget (29,5K) and volunteering staff
• WBFN volunteers and volunteering staff
Achievements
• Registration, scanning and framing of 733 art pieces submitted
• Jury by Ritu Banga WBFN Honorary President, Mary Summers WBFN President, Marina Galvani WBG Art Curator, and Melissa Chiu Director Hirschhorn, selected 3 overall winners
• 50% submissions from HQ, 50% from COs
• 76 nationalities
• Around 80 new registrations to WBFN
• WBFN website Art Prize page visitors: circa 9,000 during the period
2,062 Participation
TSP 2023 is not included
Interest group gatherings are not included
Programs Organized by WBFN WW
590+ Members participated
400 Events- inperson and virtual
80 Local Chapters
For the members by the members
Members: 8761
New members: 681
320 activities
80 local chapters
342 volunteers
26,273 volunteer hours
3,284 staff days
2 million contribution to the WBG
Family Well-being
• Family Consultation Service (FCS)
• Raising awareness about family issues with Country Offices
• Digital Safety awareness seminar for parents and family
• Respectful Workplace Advisory Group education session on WB Family Network community benefits and resources
Spouse Issues
• Spouse Issues Committee (SPIC) – 2 members assisted, and $2500 funds disbursed through the WBGFN Barry McIsaac Emergency Funds
• Member of WBG Domestic Abuse Prevention Program Advisory Committee (DAPP)
• Ongoing work in conjunction with DAPP/HSD on access to benefit information for spouses
Empowering Global Families FY24
Worldwide Access to Programs and Thematic Sessions via Webex and Zoom
Thematic sessions
• Welcoming Information session
• Career Lab Cycle 1
• Career Lab Cycle 2
• Career Lab Cycle 3
• Finding Short-Term Consultancies
• New Men’s Interest Group
• English conversation
Hybrid Welcoming Information Session
Virtual Career Lab
Reinforced Communication Resources
- Tools To Move (TTM) ToolsToMove.org
- Parenting Now platform website
- Family Consultation Service 202 458 5550
- Relocation EXPO and briefing event for DC members
- Mosaic Collaborative Art Project
- Essential Information Seminars All sessions recorded on our YouTube channel
- Presidents’ message monthly to all members
- WBFN Strategic Priority updates
- Frequent messaging (E-mail, Telegram, WhatsApp groups)
- Updates of Social Media Guidelines
- video communications
Hybrid Office
- Staff meetings: Weekly inoffice in-person/Team –Hybrid way of working
- Worldwide: Virtual once a month - leveraging virtual for better building connections with Worldwide
- EC: Once a month
Our Mission
Improve the lives of women and children by supporting the higher education of exceptional women from developing countries who will catalyze change.
Madeleine De Kock President MMEG
120 volunteers
7500hours
30 grantees
• 5 Virtual Grantee get-togethers
• 1 Virtual kick-off events for Selection Committee
• 5 Selection Committee presentations
• 1 International Arts & Craft Market
30 Education Grants Events
• 1 Photo Competition
• 1 Volunteer Appreciation
• 3 MMEG Talks
• 2 Outside Events (Coin sorting with BFSFCU staff volunteers,
• Celebrating International Women's Day with Yas Media)
• 10 grantees South Africa program
• 10 grantees Latin America program
• 7 grantees US/Canada program
• 2 grantees France program
• 1 grantees Trinity WU program
Fundraising
• Donations (including CCC and IMF’s Giving Together matching): $192,750 (Jul –March)
• International Arts & Crafts Market: $58,115
• Institutional Donations: $57,500 (BFSFCU, University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University )
Welcoming Information Session
'I can’t thank the WBFN and the WIS team enough for organizing those sessions. They did not only equip me with helpful guides that I referenced for my first administrative steps in DC but also allowed me to break the ice with the Family Network members and others in a similar situation.
I would highly encourage everyone who is new to DC to take this opportunity to connect with dedicated volunteers and other expats.
Lars Hildenbrand
46 activities
267 participants
16 volunteers
861 volunteer hours
members Buddies DC Social – WhatsApp
It makes all the difference to have a friendly face welcoming you when you are new to a country!
WBGFN Member in Country Office
590+ participants
8 176+ volunteers
2814 volunteer hours
Cat Mathieu
Laurent Cinot
Daniela
Diaz Figueroa
Lola Vico
Rukhsana Khattak
Beverly Brar
Ahu Cankorel Sadaf Khalid
Bushra Abbas
Barbra Mukuve
Qudsia Zafar
Activities
Outcome
Highlights
• Strengthening of WW core team: RC Team Leader, 6 RCs, 47 LCs and 3
EC Focal Points, and a special advisor.
• Welcoming newcomers to duty stations
• Building communities and ongoing support to WBG families
• Physical and virtual gatherings and activities
• Increasing interaction with COs and local Staff Associations
• Launch of WW/ MMEG Connect program Project in Manila.
• Launch of WW/ MMEG Connect Project in Peru and Nepal
• Launch of TSP in Singapore.
• Collaborations on HSD Mental Health Program
• Use and dissemination of ToolsToMove (TTM).
• Relocation and ongoing support to 278 families in COs
• Support of spouse in France, for Haiti repatriation and to the spouses in Jamaica, for family settlements and job searches.
• 590+ members from the FN from 80 Local Chapters, participated in around 400 WW events both virtually and in-person.
After a hard year without working, I started the Virtual Career Lab, and it gave me the strength to start over again. Listening to Yvonne talking about our common situation as WB spouses, to see all of the other fellows, feeling that I am not unique and alone, has been crucial for me.
Quote from Career Lab Alumni
34 Events 381 participants 452 volunteer hours
volunteers
Yvonne Quahe Career & Program Advisor
Gisele Youmbi
Venice Del Fierro Mimi Besha Joyce See
Patricia Myers EC Advisor
• Creating a mobility mindset
• Building flexibility
• Adopting a growth mindset
• Ensuring employability
Skill-building and Information
Career Lab
Alumni Network Entrepreneurs Network
Participants
• 67% Female; 33% Male
• 9% PhD
• 66% Masters
• 15% Bachelors
• 10% Some College Education, no Degree
Activities
• Career Lab Alumni Network (CLAN) — 483 Alumni
• Career Lab Facebook Community — 297 Members
• CLAN Facebook Community — 263 Members
Outcome
• Career Lab redesigned and delivered virtually since May 2020
• Virtual Career Lab attended by WBGFN members in 15 countries
• From the response of the annual survey, 71% have jobs or selfemployed.
Supporting teams to optimize the effectiveness of our operations and resources
The objectives of the RM teams are to:
• Establish effective knowledge management processes.
• Conduct regular assessment and program evaluations and continuously utilize data to improve programs and activities.
• Maintain and enhance the membership database to improve data quality in terms of accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
Supporting 13 teams and events
9 volunteers
525volunteer hours
Knowledge Management
Monitoring & Evaluation
50th
• Available Standard of Practice:
• Communication Team
• HQ Welcoming Team
• Professional Development Program
• Volunteer Engagement Team
• Nominating Committee
• Children’s Holiday Party
• Teen Summer Program
• WBFN Events Google Calendar
• WBFN Google Drive for collaboration
Data Management & Analytics
• Conducted 41 surveys
• Analyzed and shared the feedback
• Statistics about events organized by HQ
• 24,000 records
• Updated with info from the WB HR system
• New: updates from Country Offices through Regional Connectors
Team
Quote from WBFN volunteer Volunteer Engagement Team
My WBFN volunteer journey has been transformative. It's about more than just giving back; it's about finding connection and purpose. The emphasis on fostering genuine connections deeply resonated with me, inspiring me to continue volunteering and contribute to the vibrant WBFN community that embraced me.
31 One on One Meetings
267 volunteer hours 5 volunteers total FY
Resources
Activities
• MMS Database
Achievements
• One on One meetings with potential volunteers
• Engaging with volunteers at the office
• Volunteer Recognition Breakfast
• Daily Support to WBFN teams and Special Events, including Children’s Holiday Party, Teen Summer Program, and Open House
• An increasing number of new members willing to volunteer
• Gathering more volunteers around the office and WBFN activities
Communication Team Members
50 communication channels
907volunteer hours 17 volunteers One Voice, One Message!
Marketing
• Tools To Move
• GCS Expo / MMEG booth
• Kiosk articles
• YouTube
• Telegram and WhatsApp
Social Media
One Voice, One Message!
Editorial Committee
Digital Communications
• Digital Media
• WebMagazine
• Content Editor
Design
• Creative layouts
• Videos
• 4170+ Followers on LinkedIn
• 80 Posts on LinkedIn
• 2100+ Page likes on Facebook
• 2300 Followers on Facebook
• 250 Posts on Facebook
• monthly worldwide highlights
• 79 Video on YouTube
10 000+ visitors to the WBFN website during the application period
• 15 articles
Digital Media Web Magazine
Content Editor
One Voice, One Message!
• Theme - WBFN Honorary President Mrs. Banga (highest readership)
• Popular - Mobile Careers, Relocation tips
• Annual meeting Presentation
• Annual Report
• @-a-glance; 6682 subscribers
• Websites - WBFN, Book Project, Tools To Move
• Quality assurance of website content
Empowering our members with the knowledge and skills to navigate their new virtual environment
125 hours of instruction
10 activities
635 participants
2 volunteers Info Seminars
75 volunteer hours
I just attended today’s information seminar and I found it extremely helpful. Quote from member
Topics
• G-4 Visa Options
• Pension Plan
• US Estate Planning and Taxation
• US Income Tax for G-4 Visa Holders
• US Work Authorization
• Year End Income Tax Planning
• Medical Insurance Plan Seminar
• Security Awareness Briefings
Social Program
Interest Groups
“I joined the Fiber Arts group after the Interest Groups Informational Fair held in the WBFN office in November. Group members warmly welcomed me, and they encouraged me in my work. I enjoyed visiting together the textile Museum and the Palestinian embroidery exhibition. They inspire me, and I am glad to be part of this lovely group.”
Quote from Fiber Arts group participant
• African Book Club
• Bridge Club
• Creative Kitchen
• English Book Club
• French Book Club
• Investment Club
• Mahjong Group
• Mindfulness Group
• Moms and moms to be
• The Fiber Arts Group*
*Quilts and other crafts produced have been donated to fundraisers in the local communities
New initiatives are always welcome!
“The most useful part of this program learning about Mindfulness in a way that enables me to bring to the learning to practice on daily activities. I appreciate the professionalism and enthusiasm that our teacher, Caroline, brings to every session; plus, I think that the respect and privacy with which every session is handled, enables the participants to share learnings and experiences in an open way, since our group is a safe space for personal growth and development.“
Quote from WBGFN Mindfulness group
16 activities
522 participants
33 volunteers
674 volunteer hours
Youth Programs (TSP) Disabilities Program
Children's Holiday Party
Family Programs
Disabilities Program
I now know that anyone can be a leader, and I will strive to be more confident in myself and not doubt myself. Thank you for offering this program, it led me in the right direction! I wouldn't change anything!
Quote from Youth Leadership participant
5 activities 643 participants
1880 volunteer hours 90 volunteers
Children's Holiday Party (CHP)
https://www.wbfn.org/page/disabilities-program
• Recording of previous Educational seminars
• Connect families
• Connect to services or organizations
Resource Database
• Key organizations and programs
• Health resources
• Schools
• Sport and art activities
Loubna Djemame
The WBFN Book Project is up and running again, its Marvelous Volunteers roster fluctuates, but it’s all good, each volunteer is enthusiastic and believes deeply in the BP mission.
"We sincerely register our appreciation for the book donation (eleven cartons) that we received from World Bank courtesy of Century Park College. We promise that we shall put the books into meaningful use, and we believe the book donation will go a long way in improving the reading culture of our students.” Principal, Itoleka Girls’ Secondary School, Kitui, Kenya
26 volunteers 3,171 hours
3 large and 5 small shipments
Book Project Volunteers busy sorting, stamping, and packing...
the 20foot shipment to Cote d'Ivoire loaded and ready to ship!
Small shipment to Saklay Foundation’s Library in Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Small shipment to Ratna Nidhi Trust, Bombay, India
Our commitment Activities
Shipments
• Many new volunteers signed up, unfortunately some of them were only short-term. But they were enthusiastic and efficient while they were with us, and we appreciate their contribution. Our core group remains loyal and solid!
• Three large shipments were completed - the first post-Covid 40’ arrived in India in June, a 40’ was shipped to Sierra Leone in October, and a 20’ was shipped to Cote d’Ivoire In March.
• Five small shipments were picked up and sent to beneficiariestwo to Bolivia, two to the Philippines, and one to Nigeria.
• Volunteers are working on a 40’ to Ghana.
• Supporting sustainable environmental recycling through our mission.
• Continuing emphasis on literacy opportunity for girls as well as boys.
• Supporting Shipment Sponsors facing challenges in their recipient countries.
to the cornerstones of the Family Network…
Paul Corsi , Catherine Mathieu, and Mimi Besha
Our staff
WBFN Volunteers – The team behind the scenes
The Family Network has partnered with many departments at the World Bank, and...
IFC-International Finance Corporation
Global Corporate Solutions (GCS)
Shipment
Food and Conference Services
Multimedia
Printing Security
Staff Services
Art Program
Fitness Center
Health & Safety Directorate (HSD)
Domestic Abuse Prevention Program
Field and Travel Health
Occupational Health
Mental Health and Wellbeing
People and Culture Department (PaC)
Data Privacy Office
Legal Institutional Administration (LEGIA)
Multicultural Families Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG)
Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS)
IT Security and Information Services (ITSIS)
Ethics and Internal Justice (EIJ)
Pension Administration
Staff Association
GLOBE
Respectful Workplace Advisors Program (RWA)
WBG External and Corporate Relations (ECR)
1818 Society
…to our partners
... reached out to many sister organizations to exchange ideas, collaborate, and build a better community of spouses and partners..
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
CASE (Center for Adoption Support and Education)
FIGT – Families in Global Transition
IDBFA – Inter-American Development Bank Family Association
IMFFA – International Monetary Fund Family Association
SPAN- Safe Passage Across Networks
UNLESA –United Nations Local Expat Spouse Association
UNWG – United Nations Women Guild
UNDP - United Nations Development Program
Foreign Service Institute, US Department of State
Habitat for Humanity
And a special mention to the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union (BFSFCU) for their sustained support, advice, seminars, and contributions.
President
for the Executive Committee FY24
Hely
President Operations
Secretary
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Nominating Chair
Radu Bujoreanu Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Mary Summers
Barbra Nayiga Mukuve
Khan
Ana Rakic
Joel Ssevume Member-at-Large
Caroline Giffon-Wee
Qudsia Zafar
Armine Vardanyan
Patricia Myers
Bushra Abbas
Mamadou Billo Diallo
Moving Forward
New Year - New Slate
Sandipa Basnyat President
for the Executive Committee FY25
Joel Ssevume President Operations
Mary Abigail Cornelio Member-at-Large
Natcha Thawesaengskulthai Member-at-Large
Armine Vardanyan Member-at-Large
Rest Reuben Mchome Member-at-Large Radu Bujoreanu Member-at-Large
Gisele Youmbi Member-at-Large
Milka Njiraini Member-at-Large
Edith Bonwo Member-at-Large
Balogun Gbenga Member-at-Large
Rakic Nominating Chair
Ana
for the Nominating Committee Slate FY25
Nominating Chair
Nominating Committee Member
Nominating Committee Member
Laprevotte Nominating Committee Member
Vytaute
Nominating Committee Member
Asya Grigoryan
Sulekile Moyo
Ana Rakic
Melina Pitaud-
Repciene
FY25 Presidents
Basnyat President
Joel Ssevume President Operations
Sandipa
Looking forward FY25 Presidents Address
Dear Member, Welcome to FY25!
We extend a heartfelt thanks to our volunteers worldwide for their unwavering commitment.
Your voice is crucial. We are committed to improving communication and understanding your preferences, fostering stronger connections and meeting your needs.
Join us as we navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and build a vibrant WBFN community.
With a dedicated Executive Committee for 2024-2025 , our mission remains steadfast — to welcome, support, and advocate for WB families worldwide. As we start this term, we recognize your evolving needs and the changing demographics. Your stories of resilience resonate deeply, and we pledge to continue providing unwavering support.
We are dedicated to supporting dual career couples and facilitating career transitions. Your trust is invaluable, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you.
Warm regards,
Sandipa Basnyat, President Joel SSevume, President Operations
This year, we will focus on enhancing Partner Development and building strong relationships with Country Offices globally, ensuring every member feels welcomed and valued.
Together, let's make a meaningful impact. Your ideas and feedback will shape dynamic programs, encourage collaboration, celebrate your contributions, and unlock your full potential within WBFN.
Joel SSevume
Sandipa Basnyat
World Bank Family Network
WBFN Mailing Address
1818 H Street NW, MSN MC4-410
Washington, DC 20433
WBFN Office Location
1818 H Street, NW, Room MC4-200
Washington DC, 20006
www.wbfn.org familynetwork@worldbank.org
202-473-8751