Governance Reformer to represent Bahamas at IMF Regional Conference
The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is very proud to announce that Chauntez Dillet-Wilson, ORG’s Communications Coordinator, has been selected to represent Bahamian Civil Society at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seminar with Civil Society Organizations and Think-tanks from the Caribbean on Thursday March 21st, 2019 in Kingston Jamaica.
Dillet-Wilson has been invited to present at the event on the status and factors for success in strengthening governance, improving transparency and fighting corruption within The Bahamas.
The seminar aims to encourage closer ties between the IMF and civil society organizations in the region, generate greater understanding of the role of the IMF in The Caribbean, and to facilitate meaningful exchange on relevant issues for the region such as building resilience to natural disasters and climate change, governance and corruption, and reform ownership.
Dillet-Wilson was selected to represent The Bahamas based on the impact of ORG’s governance reform work and its relevance to the seminar’s purpose. The IMF is looking for ORG’s participation to generate greater understanding of The Bahamas’ socio-economic position from a non-partisan, non-governmental point of view.
Dillet-Wilson stated that ORG’s goals for the seminar are multi-fold.
“We are very excited to be selected to represent The Bahamas. Not only will this allow us a deeper insight into IMF’s programs and intentions in the region, especially in The Bahamas, but it will hopefully give them a more comprehensive and objective context to inform the way they develop their programsand reports.
Our presentation will focus on the progressand challenges to governanceand anti-corruption since ORG’s inception in 2015, the challenges from our point of view,and the role civil society groups have played in our nation’s progress.
We will reference key successes such as the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, The passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, proposed Campaign Finance legislation and key indicators of civil society strengthening and participation such as The Civil Society Conclave and We March.
However, we willalso be candid about key areas of need such as enforcement of public disclosure, passage of the Integrity and Ombudsman Bills, timelines for Freedom of Information,and greater government commitment to openness and public consultation in policy-making.”
She stated that a high priority for ORG at the seminar is to work with otherattending organizations. “We are eagerly looking forward to connecting with other non-profit organizations that will be attending, many of which are tackling similar issues in their own countries.
Key potential partners such as Jamaica’s National Integrity Action which has lead the charge against corruption in that country, and Trinidad & Tobago’s Network for NGO’s,an umbrella group, will be in attendanceand we hope to compare notes on best strategies and tactics for improving governance and building the non-profit sector.
We hope to apply the best of what we see to ORG’s upcoming National Integrity Campaign and our efforts to create resources to increase Fiscal Transparency in The Bahamas.”
Chauntez Dillet-Wilson has served as ORG’s Communications Coordinator since October 2016, where she drives public relations and education, brand, and message development.
She has significantly increased media exposure for ORG and successfully led key initiatives such as the first ever Civil Society Conclave, ORG’s FOIA awareness efforts, and ORG’s grassroots civic education program “Freedom Schools.”
A policy wonk with deep roots in communications for the non-profit and philanthropy sectors Dillet-Wilson has held PR positions at international organizations such as The Clinton Global Initiative, The United Nations Association, and The Ayaan Hirsi Ali Foundation, and has worked in private sector communications in New York and Nassau largely focused on financial services and technology sectors.
She is also known for her gender and sexuality rights volunteerism with groups such as The Bahamas Crisis Centre, Take Back the Night (NYC),and the Bahamas Sexual Health and Rights Association.
“ORG applauds the selection of Chauntez Dillet-Wilson as the sole representative of The Bahamas to the IMF event.
Chauntez is an integral part of our leadership team and demonstrates commitment to the growth of Civil Society in The Bahamas,” said ORG Executive Director Matt Aubry.
“Her experience and extensive knowledge about the Civil Society sector will serve her well in making a strong presentation of the local conditions.”
The full agenda for the IMF Seminar with CSOs and Think-tanks from the Caribbean region, as forwarded from the organizing committee is below:
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration and related administrative issues
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Welcome remarks and introductions
9:30 AM – 10:20 AM IMF Overview
10:20 AM – 10:40 AM Break and photo-op
10:40 AM – 12:10 PM Monitoring Government’s Policies and IMF-supported Programs: The Jamaican experience
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM Lunch break
1:10 PM – 2:30 PM Strengthening Governance, Improving Transparency and Fighting Corruption
2:30 – 3:30 PM Building Resilience to Natural Disasters and Climate Change in the Caribbean
3:30 – 3:45 PM Break 3:45 – 4:45 PM Capacity building: role and functions of Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC) 4:45 – 5:00 PM Closing remarks and evaluation
About The Organization for Responsible Governance
The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) isa not-for-profit civic foundation committed to creating dialogue, insights, and solutions around the challenges affecting accountable governance, education reform, and economic development in The Bahamas. We are businesspersons, students, artists, educators, politicians, clergy, academics and members of civil society united to resolve the nation’s most vexing issues by addressing their root causes through research, education, and partnership.