How to approach networking at 2024's top global development events

As always, 2024 will be a busy year in the global development events calendar. And with the multiple challenges that the global community faced in 2023 set to continue — from rising hunger to the impact of conflicts and climate change — it’s important that professionals can make the most of opportunities to progress their goals. So, how can you approach this year’s high-profile events to win funding and attention to your work? Devex spoke to global development career coaches about the best ways to tackle events networking with confidence. Trusting the process Depending on what your goals are, approaching networking at an event is a fine balance between planning ahead and going with the flow. Simone Anzböck, a former senior international development practitioner who now coaches professionals in the sector, advised that anyone feeling overwhelmed ahead of a busy events schedule should try to keep an open mind and expectations in check. “Relax into the process a bit … if you put too much pressure on the event, you will internalize that and won’t just go for it,” she said. While you may have specific aims while attending an event, it’s most important to be open to new ideas and speaking to new people. “Networking should just be networking. You’re not going to go and make a marriage proposal,” Anzböck added. She suggested practicing how you will introduce yourself out loud ahead of time so that you can introduce yourself with ease. “And I would suggest that you don’t pitch in your first meeting, try to open up the conversation, and find something you can follow up with after.” “A very practical tip is that if people give you a business card, write down on the back the day and the place that you met them, what the connection was. This really helps with follow-up,” Anzböck said. Prioritizing your aims The themes of many of this year’s events are focused on how the sector can navigate a difficult global outlook. The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals in July, for example, will be about finding and delivering innovative solutions to eradicate poverty amid multiple overlapping crises. The 4th International Conference on Small Island States in May will focus on finding solutions amid the dual crises of debt and climate threats. In the 2024 landscape, thinking outside the box for solutions will be key, and keeping eyes and ears peeled for innovative ideas will be part of that. Ellen Johnson, a career and leadership coach for global development professionals, said to avoid getting jumbled once you get into a busy events space, it’s good to identify one main outcome to prioritize. “Think before you go in: If I only accomplish this one thing at this event, I will be happy.” You might want to use an event as an opportunity to widen your network, raise awareness of the projects you are invested in, or win funding. In which case, finding out who is going ahead of time, sending out messages on LinkedIn, and making contact before you go is a good way to start, Anzböck said. If you are looking for funding, you will need to do more preparation ahead of time — identifying the organizations and people you need to speak to, she added. If you are attending an event virtually, Johnson recommended using any function you can to interact, whether it’s liking a comment or speaking to people in the chatroom, and then making notes of names and following up later if you didn’t get a chance to connect at the time. “Reach out on LinkedIn or email, mention they said something that resonated with you, or just that you saw them at the event, and ask them how they found it to start a conversation,” Johnson added. Gaining confidence Feeling nervous? Johnson recommended addressing imposter syndrome by spending some time before the event reminding yourself what you have in common with people in the room. “People come to this sector for the same reason. You all have passion for these causes,” she said. A technique she uses in coaching is to ask clients to contact friends, family, or colleagues and ask them for any times they saw you at your best, in flow, either in work or outside work, and collect that positive feedback — to give you something for you to channel when speaking in rooms of people. “Remember that these people are also humans. It’s easy to feel like someone is their title or their work experience, but remember they also want to have a conversation with you,” she said. Anzböck pointed to a “scientifically proven ‘liking gap’ that means we always think people like us less than they do.” If you are keen to speak to people but know that you’ll feel nervous in large crowds, "aim for meeting people at side panels and workshops," Anzböck said. "Go in early, and then you can start when there’s just a few people in the room, and you can start talking to one or two other people.” 2024’s top global development events Feb. 8-9 — The 8th International Conference on Climate Change The next International Conference on Climate Change will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in February. ICCC is an opportunity for climate researchers and experts to gather to attend workshops and networking sessions and present results and case studies. March 11-22 – The Commission on the Status of Women The Commission on the Status of Women is the main global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women. CSW will meet for its 68th session at the United Nations headquarters in New York from March 11-22 with a focus on promoting the equality of women and girls by addressing poverty through financing with a gender perspective. April 19-21 — The World Bank Spring Meetings The World Bank Spring Meetings will be held in Washington D.C. this year, with side events and online broadcasts happening alongside. May 27-30 — 4th International Conference on SIDs The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States will meet in Antigua and Barbuda and be focused on building prosperity after COVID-19 and amid climate threats. May 27-June 1 — World Health Assembly The 77th WHA will open in Geneva on May 27, and this year, May 2024 is the deadline for the world to agree to a pandemic treaty that will set up a framework for countries to better respond to future pandemics. July 8-July 17 — High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development This year’s HLPF on the Sustainable Development Goals will be focused on: “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.” Sept. 10-24 — United Nations General Assembly The 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly, or UNGA 79, will open on Sept. 10 in New York City. General Assembly President Dennis Francis wants to “supercharge” the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals during his tenure this year. Oct. 21-Nov. 1 — COP 16 on biodiversity The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, or COP, to the Convention on Biological Diversity will meet in October, and implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed last year will be on the agenda. Nov. 11-22 — United Nations Climate Change Conference The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP 29, will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, this year. The focus this year will be on climate finance. Ready to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by the recruiters who matter most? Update your Devex profile and start connecting with top global development recruiters now.