Influencers Jeannette and Michael from Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente
Interview April 2024
Could both of you share with us some information about your family life? Could you share something about your educational background, your experience, and where you work?
My name is Jeannette van Geest and I have lived for more than 40 years in Curaçao, I have attended high school here in Curaçao. I am a mother of three children all of them are studying in Holland, they were born here and I have studied Youth Social Work and Algemene Sociale Wetenschappen in Holland. For the past 20 years, I have worked in the field of Compliance, for the past 8 years with CITCO. Yes, I made a big career switch, but when you live on a small island, you need to be flexible and be prepared to switch. I love my job and it gives me a sense of a Bigger Purpose.
I decided to join Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente as I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines and complain about what was going on in politics and on the island, but to actually put in the work and actively contribute to greater awareness in the society in this area of transparency, Integrity, and anti-corruption work the foundation works on. I have been a Board member since 2021/2022.
My name is Michael Hernandez, I have no children and I have studied International business in the Netherlands, Europe, and in the USA. I have worked for some big companies in both Europe and the USA and my last employment in Curaçao was in the Telecom industry. Six years ago, I started my own Business in Consultancy, Project Management, Business development, and all sorts of Commercial activities in which I support my clients both in Curaçao and abroad. I am currently the President of Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente and have been a board member for 6 years now serving my last year as a Board member. Then my terms of two times 3 years are done and according to our articles of Law of the Foundation, I need to step down as a board member. We have a board and we have an advisory council. Next to that I am also an active member of the Curaçao LIONS club for 16/17 years. I started as a member of the LEO club, the youth section of the LIONS. This helped me hone further my desire to serve the community and I love doing this.
You are involved as ‘Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente’ as a vehicle to promote governance and transparency on our Island. Can you expand a little bit on this and why is this so important for our society? Where did this all start?
Jeannette: I started because I consider the topic an important subject matter and it relates to my everyday work as well. More transparency and less corruption are crucial for our island, and I didn’t just want to talk about it but aspired to do something more tangible. I sawthe vacancy, applied and got accepted to the board.
Michael: I was all into this subject matter. I followed the news and experienced how often subject matters that are important information for the greater public, were dealt with in “a not so very transparent way”, in the public domain and the domain of the private sector. I thought that these subject matters needed to be dealt with more transparently and I felt that there was a need for less corruption. It irritated me how on an individual level, we can easily bypass the normal procedures and tend to consider it normal to help an uncle, aunt, cousin, or friend quickly. So I wanted to be part of the Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente to help create more transparency and a higher level of Integrity.
The foundation started after the publication of the Report Transparency International Integrity Risk Assessment of Curaçao, in 2013. The lead researcher was Nelly Schotborgh and this report contained 66 recommendations for Curaçao based on 13 pillars. These are the 13 pillars:
1. Legislature
2. Executive
3. Judiciary
4. Public Sector 1
5. Law Enforcement Agencies
6. Electoral Management Body
7. Ombudsman
8. Supreme Audit Institution
9. Anti-Corruption Agencies
10. Political Parties
11. Media
12. Civil Society
13. Business.
The recommendations also contained recommendations regarding the community at large, expressing the need for more independent information to counter misinformation and knowledge on transparency, integrity, and less corruption, and if not, this could be fatal for the society at large. We lack enough funds in comparison for example the funds for a comparable organization in the Netherlands.
For example, if we had a more efficient assessment and collection of taxes in our Public Finances, we still wouldn’t have financial accounts of the government that are approved by the ARC (our National Auditor). If we had our things in place and better checks and balances and control of our government’s expenditures, we might have had more reserves and borrowed less money from the Netherlands and we might have more money available to address poverty and invest in our education for example.
Our goal is to inform, make people aware, educate, and stimulate people on what they can do themselves so that they demand certain behaviors and speak out when things are not right. We don’t have a watchdog function.
How many years does the ‘Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente’ exist and what do you consider as your Milestones over these years?
The foundation was founded in 2015, two years after the publication of the Report Transparency International Integrity Risk Assessment of Curaçao, in 2013. So we are reaching ten years of our existence and that we consider a milestone.
We have targeted the general public in several ways, Like for example ‘Mi manan ta limpi’ that was an awareness campaign. We had surveys and interviewed people in Punda and Sambil asking them what they knew about integrity and how they would score. After the survey, they had to symbolically wash their hands. This was one of our first campaigns.
Another milestone was a project we had done for 2 years, aimed at youngsters, based on the following values, fidelity, bravery, and integrity. We first trained them on the techniques of debating and our topics and then they had to debate with one another professionally. We trained these youngsters attending High School (HAVO/VWO/SB) these skills, which ultimately would also help them in their future studies and/or work.
On top of that, we organized some smaller debating events and a voting guide during the last elections.
But the biggest milestone was a successful fundraising seminar we organized at CBCS, with an international guestspeaker and other public and private sector speakers, on ‘Integrity in Governance’ That was a very useful seminar. We are using these funds to finance some of our smaller events. This resulted in 7 new applications to join our board as we inspired a lot of people to join us. Before this seminar, we felt like we were crying in the wilderness. Suddenly we had more applications than we had board functions, all ladies between 26 and 55 years old. This feels great.
What is your BIG WHY or driving motivation to do what you as “Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente” are doing now?
Our BIG WHY is to let Curaçao become a more transparent society, where people relate with one another based on integrity and actively contribute to stopping corruption as this has such a adverse effect on society as a whole. To share knowledge and information with those who are interested. We offer presentations (info sessions) to companies as well as the public sector and people can approach us if they would like to learn more on the subject. We have a good collaboration with the Public Ministry and we are more than willing to offer presentations to political parties.
What are your plans for the coming years for the coming 5 years from now?
We have a lot of plans, the most ambitious one is to assess the feasibility of becoming a Chapter of Transparency International. If we become a Chapter we will become more of a discussion partner for authorities, which is great. This also means that we will have access to more resources and tools. We will be able to produce more materials, that we can offer to schools. For example, for teens, we want to teach them these principles at an early age and have easier access to information. We would also like to develop a website where relevant information is made available in multiple languages. But this requires a lot of money if you want to do this in a didactically responsible way. These plans, and more, require resources, both financially and in human resources. That is one of the reasons we are exploring the option of becoming a Chapter of Transparency International and also for our annual fundraising event: so so that we can have a long-term approach. This is where we want to go, for the past years we have been working with an annual plan with limited activity as we are an organization of volunteers and the foundation doesn’t have income or subsidy, we are entirely dependent of sponsoring and fundraising.
What are the challenges that you are dealing with? And how are you dealing with these different challenges you confront?
All of us have a full-time job and we are volunteers. So we are dependent on the board members being able to free up time for the events we can organize, to do work, plan, and execute the work for the foundation, like interviews and speaking assignments. If we would become a chapter of Transparency International, we might be able to obtain financing and increase resourcing, including a professional secretariat. So, over the course of the coming year, as we explore the options of a Chapter, we might look for a few sponsors to commit for a couple of years to make this possible. But as said, it might also be that we ultimately do not become a chapter, because becoming a chapter also increases the requirements one has to comply with and then finances become even more of a challenge because everything requires funding. Becoming Chapter requires us to become more professionalized and this requires more funding, structurally.
Is the environment where you are operating becoming better or worse and what are the reasons that it is getting better or worse?
To be taken seriously by the government is a challenge. We invite them to our events, but they rarely show up. But if we write articles we know that they take notice.
Our approach is to stay open towards the government and the parliament and invite them to do certain things jointly. We keep reminding them of some of the most important recommendations like some changes in the criminal law and the creation of an Integrity Bureau.
Do you as board members use your inner voice to evaluate when dilemmas show up? How does that work for you?
We are not a watchdog. We promote the formalization of the whistle-blower status on the island as they are not protected at the moment. We don’t advocate whistle blowing but we do work on awareness and training for ourselves sharing the knowledge that we do have among ourselves so that we stay very well informed.
How are you trying also to keep up with your knowledge and skill levels?
We read a lot, also from Transparency International, they publicize a lot. We follow the local media. We organize internal info and knowledge sessions for the Board and we discuss certain matters.
What are your strengths?
We are always trying to be open and transparent with the information we bring out, without offending and expressing accusations. In specific cases, we explain the importance of the theme what needs to be done, and how to solve the issue. We inform and create awareness and that is what we do and we will not bow to this and stay this course.
If you meet a stranger on the bus (let’s say in New York or Medellin Colombia) on your way to a conference in one of these cities, and they would ask you to introduce yourself, what would you answer?
My name is Michael and as chairperson for the foundation we promote transparency and integrity in our society and we fight corruption. For my business, I will say I am Michael Hernandez, a Project Manager, and a Problem Solver.
Jeanette: We are working to increase awareness of corruption and integrity. For my professional work: I am a Compliance Officer at Citco.
How would you describe yourself in one word or one sentence?
The foundation stands for integrity.
Who are the persons that have inspired you as “Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente” the most in your career?
Nelly Schotborgh the leading researcher of the Integrity Report on Curaçao in 2013.
The speaker in December 2023 Lousewies Van der Laan, the director of Transparency International Holland.
What is a trait that is still a work in progress?
More efficiency in our meetings, but in a sense, it is understandable as we are volunteers and sometimes the balancing act between our paid jobs and this volunteer work can affect our compliance with things we agree on. But in general, we are doing fine.
What was a defining moment in your life?
Starting the foundation in 2015 and the seminar in December 2023. It was a big thing, we took a leap of faith and it turned out good. We had an International speaker and we got a lot of credit for organizing this event. This year we plan to repeat it.
What would you want your Loved Ones, family, friends, and others to say about you let’s say 20 years from now?
Michael: They probably would say tht hetalks a lot. But I hope they would say that he is someone you can always count on for a helping hand. They know what to expect from me.
Jeanette: She is always on the frontline of subject matters she believes in. She is trustworthy. And my children would say, I hope, she was always there for us.
What makes you stay optimistic about the future of the world?
Most people are good people. In the end, we hope that we will be able to keep inspiring people to get along with each other honestly and openly. The world exists of good people willing to work and positively give their best. This is not something you will read in the newspaper but it is what we experience daily. During the COVID years, a lot of NGOs willing to do a lot of work were not sufficiently recognized contrary to the first responders, but their work has been priceless. Without their work, we wouldn’t have made it through those days.
Contact information of Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente:
korsoutransparente@gmail.com or on Facebook or LinkedIn.
As Chairperson Michael Hernandez can be reached via M: +599 9 529 9150.
One of the 250 Influencers
and our 250th interview
In an era marked by growing concerns about corruption and a lack of transparency in governance worldwide, organizations like Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente are beacons of hope. Founded in 2015 in response to the Transparency International Integrity Risk Assessment of Curaçao, this volunteer-driven foundation has been making significant strides in promoting integrity and transparency within the community. The inception of Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente came two years after the release of the influential Transparency International Integrity Risk Assessment of Curaçao in 2013, led by researcher Nelly Schotborgh. Recognizing the need for action, a group of dedicated individuals came together to establish an organization focused on addressing the challenges highlighted in the report which included 66 recommendations. One of the pivotal moments in the foundation’s journey was the organization of a large seminar in December 2023, featuring both local and international speakers. This event not only served as a platform to raise awareness but also as a successful fundraising effort, garnering widespread attention and support for the cause. Inspired by the enthusiastic responses, Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente aims to replicate the success of this seminar in the coming years. Operating solely on volunteer efforts, the foundation faces its fair share of challenges, including securing funding for its activities and gaining greater acceptance from the government. Despite these obstacles, there remains a steadfast ambition to become an official chapter of Transparency International, further solidifying its role. Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente has earned the respect of society over the years as a vital resource for information and education on Transparency, Integrity, and the detrimental effects of Corruption. While not functioning as a watchdog, the foundation supports initiatives aimed at strengthening whistleblower protections, works on awareness, training and sharing the knowledge to stay very well informed and serve as a beacon for those seeking to learn more about these critical issues. As Curaçao continues its journey towards greater transparency and accountability, organizations like Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente play an indispensable role in driving positive change. Through their efforts and dedication, people like Michael Hernandez and Jeanette van Geest serve as community influencers, inspiring others to join the fight for a more just and transparent society. For all these reasons we consider Fundashon Kòrsou Transparente a community Influencer in the sector Governance.
Look at the list of the Influencers we have interviewed or reported on, up to now.
The goal of the core group of Share2Uplift for 2024
The goal of the Share2Uplift movement is to: “Identify 250 leaders from all walks of life to connect, align and create impactful changes in all walks of life, which includes intergenerational collaboration by the end of 2024.” We will use interviewing Influencers, meet-and-greet events, “train-the-trainers”-programs on “Emotional Mastery” and “Intentionality “as national intervention strategies, to reach this goal on top of our goal to scale up the possibilities to connect, align and create impact via a virtual platform. We believe that by collaborating with Miguel Goede on the virtual Vision 2030 platform, we will accelerate the possibilities to connect the diaspora and others elsewhere in the world and on the island willing to constructively create impactful changes in Curaçao, to join.
As Share2Uplift, we are fully trying to align with this thinking of Center for Curriculum Redesign to promote this agenda in our educational systems and workplace. So, in that sense, we fully support any initiative to make our educational system 21st-century proof.
Share2Uplift aligners are those that:
– Create an inspiring vision of the future;
– Motivate and inspire people to engage with that vision;
– Manage the delivery of the vision;
– Coach and build a team, so that it is more effective at achieving the vision. These criteria are now being polished.
We also consider these 5 values the most important ones for Share2Uplift aligners. They are:
• Peace from within;
• Compassion;
• Respectfulness;
• Integrity;
• Responsibility.
As we will progress towards this goal, we will update you on the progress.
Personal Coaching tips
This week we will share some short videos related to Transparency International. We will upload one of these
videos every day on our Facebook page.
A Global Strategy Against Corruption 2021-2030 (English) | Transparency International – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzPSb5Dys4k
Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 | Transparency International – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkLBtwTN7Fc
How does corruption affect you? | Transparency International – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYorzlkCWYo
What is state capture? | Transparency International – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my_jt1GvhpI
Time for a real change | Transparency International – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBLb-eXEISg
Fighting climate change means fighting corruption | Transparency International – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzkbSs_rMIw&list=PL1of6S8Io98YSBuKX7TIhXpmK_PIOuH2F&index=2