PM Douglas congratulates Boddie on selection as a Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leader
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Sonia Boddie |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 25TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Ms. Sonia Boddie, Senior Tax Inspector and Public Relations Officer of the Tax Reform Unit, Inland Revenue Department has been selected as one of 120 Emerging Leaders from the Caribbean and Canada, by The Caribbean -Canada Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue Committee.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has commended Ms. Boddie, who will participate in a unique two-week leadership development conference with other high caliber mid-career men and women selected from business,government,labour and civil society from across the Caribbean.
“I want to personally commend her on her selection,” said Dr. Douglas during his weekly radio call in programme “Ask the Prime Minister.”
While at the May 28 to June 11, 2011 conference Ms. Boddie will meet with Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne of England, the President of the committee, who would be presiding over the conference.
The Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue will open in Ottawa, Canada where participants will engage in discussions on the challenges facing leaders. Ms. Boddie will then be placed in a smaller study group and travel first to Montreal and Quebec, Canada and then to the Dominican Republic to visit communities and workplaces from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society and meet with their leaders to discuss challenges they face. The full Dialogue will reconvene for four days in Barbados where each study group will prepare and deliver a presentation comparing what they would have observed and learned.
The theme for this Dialogue is “Growth Through Connection-Enabling Sustainable Progress.”
Participants will explore important strategic areas including governance, regional cooperation, and infrastructure, innovation in public and private institutions, the environment, sustainable economic growth and social inclusion. Interdependence, teamwork and building lasting relationships across cultures and distances will also be points of focus.
Ms. Boddie, who holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in International Relations with honors, said she was extremely happy after receiving notification of the success of her application.
“I anxiously look forward to participating in this Dialogue, as I embrace every opportunity for professional and personal development and these sessions will indeed give me a platform to further apply and enhance the knowledge and skills acquired during my tertiary studies. I am indeed honored to be an ambassador for my country at this Dialogue. Upon return, I am determined to use my improved leadership capacity, to more effectively serve the people and government of St.Kitts and Nevis,” she said.
Deputy Comptroller, of the Tax Reform Unit, Inland Revenue Department, Mr. Edward Gift noted that he was very proud of Ms. Boddie’s achievement, and he was not surprised at her recognition, as she not only shows tremendous promise, but she has continuously distinguished herself, as a diligent employee with above-average organizational and leadership skills.
In support of Ms. Boddie’s participation, Mr. Gift was quoted as saying, “Ms. Boddie is an innovative thinker with a wealth of ideas on global issues. Her multilingual background is a true testimony to her openness on embracing new cultures, ideologies and challenges. Her participation at this conference will indeed enhance her leadership and decision making skills in the workplace.”