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Archive -Election

Popular Democratic Movement presidential candidate David Pierre |01 December 2015

‘I want to create a Seychelles where good governance is promoted, democracy is understood and respected’

Seychelles NATION: Why do you think the people should vote for you as President of Seychelles?

David Pierre: I see myself as the best option for President and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) the best alternative for government. The most sincere candidate with the best programme and a true will to implement it. I am the only candidate who has shown calmness and respect for others throughout this campaign. I have also shown myself to be a true believer in the fundamental principles of democracy.

Seychelles NATION: What is your definition of leadership? And what is your overarching purpose as a leader?

David Pierre: Leadership involves establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly. Providing information, knowledge and methods to realise that vision is also an integral part of leadership. A good (political) leader should be able to step up in times of crisis and act creatively in difficult situations.

My overarching purpose is to create a Seychelles where good governance is promoted and democracy is understood and respected and the purpose of my work is to help individuals become and be themselves and to root their leadership in their identity and integrity.

Seychelles NATION: Are we better off now than we were four years ago?

David Pierre: There has been improvement in some areas and deterioration in others. Potentially, we could have done a lot better.

Seychelles NATION: In the past, how have you responded to, evaluated and learned from mistakes – your own and those of your team?
 
David Pierre: We have always responded positively to criticism because mistakes can be made but they are there to be corrected. Constant evaluation of our performance has allowed us to correct our mistakes and build on our strength, both as an individual and as a team.

Seychelles NATION: What is your negotiating style, approach, philosophy?

David Pierre: Always be calm, confident and respectful. Never underestimate anyone. I always believe that there is a solution to every problem. In a negotiation there is no loser and winner but solutions agreeable to all parties. One should always be positive and expect to give and take.

Seychelles NATION: Tell us about a time when your judgment has been tested in crisis. And what do you want the people to appreciate about your judgment?

David Pierre: I can remember when I had to take a decision as to whether Seychelles could organise the 11th SADCOPAC (Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees) annual general meeting this year. It was difficult because we had to take into consideration many factors such as funding, the fact that we were to hold election this year, number of participants, space/size of country and so on. But I stood for it because of its importance and in early September we had it held successfully here.

It should be appreciated that the decision was taken purely because of the numerous benefits it brought for our country, economically and in relation to our tourism sector.

Seychelles NATION: What are the keys to translating your vision for Seychelles’ future into action?

David Pierre: One needs to believe passionately and pursue aggressively. Develop strategic priorities with clear determination of objectives within each priority and establish clear action steps. Team work must prevail.

Seychelles NATION: Young people will be engaged in this election in greater numbers than ever before. How will you keep them engaged?

David Pierre: I would like to create a political system where young people see real opportunity for real change in all aspects of their lives. And also be a leader who is radically transparent, keeps his promise and shows trustworthiness.

Seychelles NATION: What are the first three things you’re going to do to raise Seychelles’ confidence once you’re in office?

David Pierre: By promoting transparency and accountability. By democratising all relevant institutions. And by promoting professionalism (and remove politics) in the public sector.

Seychelles NATION: How will you create an environment for innovation within your leadership team?

David Pierre: First of all, one needs to recognise the importance of embracing differences in people and then know how to connect the dots. It is also important to establish a clear sense of direction, a collective sense of purpose to open communication, to instill a sense of ownership, to develop tolerance for risk and failure, to reduce bureaucracy and to eliminate processes that do not work.

Seychelles NATION: In what ways will you help Seychellois realise the challenges we face and do the hard work of overcoming them together?

David Pierre: Always be open, transparent and honest about any situation the country faces. Promote freedom of information. Promote professionalism, reward hard work and remove politics from the public sector.

Seychelles NATION: Can you give us two or three concrete examples from your past as to how you have helped change the culture of an organisation?

David Pierre: Firstly, as a teacher, I led a group of professionals to stand up strong for what was right and for what they believed in. In the process we created an association that stood up for teachers.

Secondly, in the National Assembly and as the chairperson of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee, I have promoted good work ethics and values within the committee, and those have allowed us to work as a team regardless of our political differences which in turn has produced good results for our people and country.

Thirdly, as the treasurer for SADCOPAC, I have fought to promote better transparency and accountability which has helped to improve the efficiency of the organisation.

 

 

 

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