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Talking to Švejnar's wife

Katherine Terrell speaks on corruption, education reforms and campaign life

February 6th, 2008 issue

By Kimberly Hiss

Staff Writer
ČTK
Terrell has visited as much as possible to support her husband's presidential bid.
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Wives of political candidates can sometimes be little more than support staff for their husbands. Such is not the case with Katherine Terrell. Yes, she’s currently in the country, accompanying presidential hopeful Jan Švejnar on his bid for the castle, but that commitment is coordinated with her already accomplished career.
A widely published U.S. economist, Terrell has been on faculty at the University of Michigan since 1996, and has done research with the CERGE-EI in Prague (for which she is not salaried) since 1992. She has also worked as a consultant for international organizations such as the World Bank, where she met Švejnar in 1976. The couple has two children, both of whom are in the country for the Feb. 8 vote.
While the public is familiar with President Václav Klaus’ wife, Livia, few know the personality or politics of Terrell, so she made some time for The Prague Post during election week to fill in the blanks.
The Prague Post: I understand your focus is partly Central and East European economies. How does such expertise combined with your husband’s make you an appropriate “first family”?
Katherine Terrell: Our research has focused on the impact of market-oriented policies and the opening of the economy to global forces on the well-being of individuals and firms. We’ve shown which types of workers gained and lost, and how social safety nets protected the vulnerable and enabled displaced workers to move into the new economy. We’ve also measured the impact of foreign direct investment on domestically owned firms. This knowledge should enable us to be more effective in representing the Czech Republic and in selecting the charities I’d like to be involved in.
TPP: What issues most concern you about the Czech Republic?
KT: Corruption seems to be relatively high among EU countries. One way to deal with it might be to follow Slovakia’s lead in setting up special courts; another might be to set up “sting operations” as in the U.S. There are many international institutions that are involved in these issues and could be of assistance. However, the government would have to make this a serious priority issue.
TPP: On the flip side, what progress most excites you about the country’s future?
KT: The commission that’s looking into education reforms and trying to spur research and development into new technologies by linking universities with the business sector is promising.
TPP: How has it felt to watch your husband bring some fresh air to the electoral process?
KT: Naturally I’m proud that he has opened the election to debate and opinions of all sectors of the society. I hope this will continue in future elections.
TPP: What were your first discussions about his decision to run for president like?
KT: I wasn’t surprised when he brought it up last October, since this is something he’s wanted to do for a while now.
TPP: What’s family life been like during the campaign?
KT: The children and I have paid very close attention, following all the news and talking to our Czech friends. However, since our son [Dan] is 26 and working in investment financing in New York City and our daughter [Laura] is 21, and finishing her university education, they haven’t been able to be in the Czech Republic as much as they would have liked. They came during New Year’s and again for the voting. I too was unable to be here as much as I would have liked as I have a position at the World Bank while on sabbatical leave from the University of Michigan and hence needed to fulfill duties there. However, I was able to return Jan. 26 and I’ve been attending several enjoyable events like the reception for the inauguration of his book and two balls in Brno over the weekend.
TPP: What are the biggest changes your family has witnessed in the country during your successive stays?
KT: We first came to the Czech Republic in 1984 for a visit then we lived here for nine months in 1992 and then in 1993–94. Since then, we returned every summer. I’ve never witnessed such rapid economic development in any other country that I’ve lived in. For example, Prague transformed its crumbling buildings into beautiful structures within five years. In general, the growth in business and services has been astonishing.
Kimberly Hiss can be reached at khiss@praguepost.com


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