IMF

Assessing stabilisation and structural reform in a post-Communist world (Russia 1995)

IMF

In the modern day, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is undeniably a contentious institute, having developed an infamous reputation for interventions that have often been tied to eventually worsening the economic situation of the nations it sought to help.

In Latin America, the economic issues and prevalence of IMF intervention, has meant the institute has turned into a natural enemy and focus for protesting Western interference. However its unique role in being the sole global body to provide loans aimed at nations on the brink of (or in) financial crisis, has given it the title of “the lender of last resort” and ensured relevancy throughout time as nations are often left with no other option apart from bilateral agreements.

The IMF’s modern-day mission statement is "working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world”. Working with 190 member states as a forum for ensuring the global economy is protected and prosperous.

However, the IMF’s unpopularity relates to the conditionality of lending, as these tend to involve structural adjustment involving privatisation, deregulation and additional bureaucracy rail guards. Fundamentally the failures of the IMF are widely publicised in comparison to their successes, and the rigid structure in which the IMF provides support is an easy target for discontent.

STUDY GUIDE

THE DAIS

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HARRY DUFFY

DEPUTY CHAIR | LSE MUN

Harry is a 3rd year Economic History student at the LSE looking forward to nerding out with delegates as a co-chair for Historical IMF at BathMUN 2024. Residing from a small village on the North-West English coast, during his youth Harry took inspiration from the rolling waves and sifting dunes of his seaside hometown to spend every day inside playing historical video games.

When he’s not rotting away in his room staring at a map on his computer you can find Harry at university, doing MUN/degree work (staring at a map on his computer). He hopes his excitement to meet delegates in Bath, can outweigh the aching of his knees walking up-and-down Bath.

PHIA LI

HEAD CHAIR | BATHMUN

Phia is an economics student at the University of Bath, although she is currently completing a side quest in London's finance industry. As a seasoned and weathered member of the BathMUN society, she is looking forward to welcoming you to the city of Bath and one of the warmest conferences in the circuit!

RICO MAK

DEPUTY CHAIR | LSE MUN

Rico is a third-year BSc Politics and Economics student at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) from Hong Kong. Having always been interested in current affairs, he started to get involved with MUN since high school and have benefited from the delegating and chairing experiences. Model UN has been a safe community for him to connect with like-minded peers and to explore interesting perspectives and realities in the global realm.

As this would be his second BathMUN, he strongly believes this is probably the best conference throughout the world :). Outside of MUN, he enjoys cycling around London, discussing (non-sensitive) socio-political topics, and trying out cooking in his spare time. That being said, he wishes to offer more exposure to and inspire the next generation of MUN delegates, and offers you the best of luck!