Global trade expert takes a break - Patricia Francis reflects on her role
Published:Monday | August 5, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Barbara Ellington, Public Affairs Editor
The phrase 'woman of substance' aptly encapsulates Patricia Francis who has garnered more than 30 years' experience at the senior management level of the private sector, government and international organisations. She has an enviable track record of delivering concrete results under challenging circumstances.
The former executive director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) - the joint agency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations (UN), she has had distinguished service as the highest ranking Jamaican under the United Nations Secretary General. In June, Francis completed her term at the ITC and returned home to rest and relax. The Gleaner spoke with her via email on a wide range of topics.
What were some of your most impressive achievements at the ITC?
The first would be putting the organisation on the map in Geneva as being a place from which you could expect results, and building our credibility to the point where we became a strategic partner with the WTO and many other organisations. This was achieved through the development of several programmes aimed at finding solutions to specific problems countries or regions are facing and including our Woman and Trade, and the work on non-tariff measures, Poor Communities and Trade, Regional Integration. Over the period, we doubled our output and more than quadrupled the use of our web-enabled products and services.
How are small nation states like Jamaica viewed by the WTO?
The interesting thing about the WTO is that your vote as a small country is equal to that of any large one. So if you wanted to halt progress, you could as a small nation. Collectively, the small nations of the Caribbean amount to 14 votes, so we are sought after by various groups. This is also true in most of the multilateral organisations.
Of course, Jamaica has always distinguished itself with the quality diplomats who we have had a history of placing in these organisations, so it's not only about numbers. It's also about the substance we bring to the table. Unfortunately, other regions of small states like the Pacific are not as well represented as the Caribbean and, therefore, their potential impact in the WTO is not as great.
What would you regard as your strongest assets in the business arena?
Curiosity and my ability to deliver as well as the capacity to analyse problems and find pragmatic and implementable solutions. Also, I understand my limitations, so I like to surround myself with the best talent I can find and I am not afraid of them.
From your perspective, in what areas has Jamaica made real progress in the last 50 years and where has it regressed?
Health and poverty alleviation, which have allowed us to eradicate a number of diseases and provided access to services such as electricity and telephone even in the most rural areas. While there is greater access to education, I do not believe that the quality is what it should be, and while not an expert, it would appear that we are not getting value for money.
Governance and justice are key areas that need reform or we will not reduce our crime and violence - a major drag on our ability to move our economy forward.
What three immediate steps can we take towards achieving economic success in the medium term?
Transform our business environment to one which facilitates international business; promote access to finance for small and medium enterprises through linking them to global or regional supply chains; and educate Jamaicans about how markets work, so that we (can) enact policies which will enhance our position rather than inhibit the business community while producing products and services needed in the global and regional markets.
What more do you think needs to be done to promote Jamaica globally?
I am not sure that promotion is the problem, as we are known everywhere in the world, but we have failed to convert that image into economic benefits for our people. We need to convert market opportunity into product and job creation and wealth for our people.
Do you miss being in Jamaica and are you ready to return home permanently?
Jamaica is always in the blood and I was just a guest in Switzerland. Though I might travel for work, my home will always be Jamaica.
What are some of the challenges that you face being a woman in global hemisphere at your level ... do you encounter discrimination?
Of course. To a large extent, the trade world is male and I was the first female to head a global trade institution. The informal networks that actually get things done are very difficult to access, so rather than say I faced discrimination, I believe it was more about access when you speak about colleagues and fellow leaders.
When discrimination occurs, it is usually from lower-level staff who don't want to report to a woman and find it difficult to take direction from a black woman in particular. And a black woman from a country of 2.6 million people ... well, what could she know? Some of it was quite corrosive, but it was important to keep focused on the goals of the organisation and not be distracted by individuals.
What more would you like to achieve careerwise, or personally, and why, and if you had not pursued this path, what else would you have liked to do?
I think I have a lot more to contribute because I have accumulated a significant amount of experience and networks which are not that readily accessed. I have always worked towards outcomes so I don't see myself in a talk shop, but rather doing concrete things. It's been 17 years without a break so I am taking a little time to enjoy my grandchildren while I decide what's next.
My first love was biology and chemistry, so I could have seen myself being a biochemist. That world is getting more and more exciting today.
What advice would you give to young women pursuing a career in international relations?
First, you need to be multilingual. But don't stop there, make sure that you get as broad an experience as possible, be adventurous and do things that will build your knowledge, not just from an academic perspective, but practical experience in the field. If you are entering the trade world, spend time in the private sector as well as with government or a multilateral organisation.
What do you do for fun and what most do you miss in your late husband?
I am an outdoors person, so I love to swim and walk in the countryside, but I also like to cook for family and friends.
I miss his wisdom and great depth of knowledge and find myself still saying to myself, 'just call Bunny, he will know the answer'. Of course, his great sense of humour and generosity, with a huge capacity to love which brought so many people to him is not just missed by me, but all whom he came into contact with.