May - June 2019 | http://www.liat.com ZiNG CARIBBEAN | 41
forward to a time when the gender
of a person filling a role will not be
a talking point. Until then, getting
more women into leadership is a
priority, because research on this
issue tells us that, when we have
equal numbers of men and women
working together, they deliver
much better outcomes than when
either gender is dominating.
Q
How did your background
qualify you for this role?
You need to be able to handle
politically and culturally sensitive
issues while upholding the
values of the Commonwealth
Charter, which include equality,
tolerance and the promotion
of human rights. My years in
private practice as a barrister
and serving at the highest levels
of government – as Under-
secretary of State in the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office, as
Parliamentary Secretary and
Deputy to the Lord Chancellor,
as Minister of State and Deputy
Home Secretary – have given me
the skills and wisdom I need.
I also think that being born in
Dominica – a small, developing
island – growing up in the UK and
travelling to different parts of the
world have given me important
insights into the cultural and
political perspectives that define
the Commonwealth.Q
Climate change seems to
be a key focus – why?
In the first week of my tenureas Secretary-General, I hosted
a climate change conference,
because I believe wholeheartedly
that this is one of the biggest
crises facing our world. The
increasing frequency and intensity
of the storms, hurricanes,
earthquakes, droughts and floods
that are affecting the globe are
irrefutable proof of the serious
threat that climate change poses.
Currently, the Commonwealth
Secretariat has strong
programmes to help countries
deal with the impacts of this
problem. For example, we have
installed experts in government
departments in developing states
to help them make successful
applications to hard-to-access
climate-related funding. So far,
we have helped our members
secure over £4 million; £207
million more is in the pipeline.
This is complemented by a
portal to help them plan ahead
for disasters, and our relentless
advocacy on issues such as a
global recognition of a country’s
vulnerability when determining
eligibility for financial assistance.Q
You are in the third year
of a four-year term. Have
you achieved what you hoped
to so far? It has been a very busy
three years and there is a lot to
celebrate. In fact, we have seen
our governance rating from the
UK Department for International
Development increase from a C
to an A+. At a landmark Heads of
Government meeting in London
last year, large-scale initiatives
such as our Commonwealth Blue
Charter to protect our oceans
were announced. We are making
progress towards boosting
cheaper and faster tradingbetween our countries, and we
are finding innovative solutions to
deal with global challenges such
as debt and climate change.
These are just some of our
achievements. But we understand
that we are living in troubled and
troubling times, and there are
still many challenges to navigate.
We are continuing to build on
our successes and to roll out new
innovations, such as our Common
Earth project to tap into cutting-
edge solutions to climate change.Q
How can individuals make
a difference? Everyone
can do something to make the
world a better place. Start in your
community: take stock of your
talents and resources, and look to
see how you can contribute.
I invite readers to visit
the innovation hub on our
website, which showcases the
many talents that exist in the
Commonwealth. They will
see inventions such as apps to
help young people’s personal
development, and eyewear made
from coconut waste. I hope that
these will inspire our visionaries
and innovators to share their
ideas and inventions.Q
Finally, tell us a little about
your home island...
Every time I fly into Dominica,
it takes my breath away. Despite
its development, it has managed
to preserve its personification
of paradise. With rich, green
vegetation, rolling hills, 365
crystal-clear rivers and a stunning
coastline, it is a place I am proud
to call home. Even after storms
and hurricanes tried to strip it
of its glory, it remains a resilient
reminder of the beauty to be
found in the Commonwealth.1
FAVOURITE FOOD?
That’s easy – it has
to be plantains. Nothing
can beat a sweet slice of
just-cooked plantain. It
instantly takes me back
to Mama’s table.2
FAVOURITE PLACE
TO RELAX?
At home, with friends
and family.3
FAVOURITE SIGHT?
A beautiful sunset.4
FAVOURITE
ACTIVITY?
Watching cricket.5
AND YOUR VERY
FAVOURITE THING?
Engaging with young
people, exchanging
ideas and conversing
about their dreams and
aspirations. Witnessing
their refreshing
perspectives, their
confidence and courage
and their inspiring vision
gives me hope for a
brighter future.QUICK-FIRE TOP 5