The Digital Transformation of the World Bank with Edith Wilson

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on World Water Day in the World Bank Atrium in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on World Water Day in the World Bank Atrium in Washington, D.C.

In this exclusive podcast recorded at the Public Relations Society of America International Conference in Philadelphia, Edith Wilson discusses digital transformation and social media compliance at the World Bank.  

Edith Wilson is Senior Advisor on Corporate Communications in the External Relations office of the World Bank. She assists the Director on special projects and policy documents, and lends technical assistance and training to Bank projects on strategic communications issues.

Edie Wilson and Eric Schwartzman

As a project manager at the World Bank, she led a team integrating public affairs and communications components in World Bank loans and projects, providing technical assistance and designing strategic communications and opinion research programs for client countries.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Ms. Wilson served as Senior Fellow and Director at the Progressive Policy Institute, and as Chief of Staff for Senator Carol Moseley-Braun.

Before working in government, she was Senior Vice President of International Affairs at the public relations firm Burson-Marstellar, working on NAFTA implementation and environmental issues.  

Show Notes:  

3:38 – Wilson on why the World Bank is seen by some as a controversial organization.  

4:26 – Wilson reflects on her rise to Senior Advisor of External Relations at the World Bank.  

6:54 – Wilson on protest that have occurred at the World Bank Meetings.  

10:45 – Wilson on the challenges she faces as a communicator for the World Bank.  

12:37 – Wilson reveals the lessons she learned as a spokesperson during Paul Wolfowitz’s controversial resignation as World Bank President.  

16:02 – Wilson on the World Bank’s position concerning leveraging the internet to increase transparency of the organization.  

17:52 – Wison discusses common what she believes are common misperceptions of the World Bank.  

20:02 – Wilson on the World Bank‘s relevancy at a time when countries can get loans from other financial institutions and the fight against poverty has proven to be a difficult task.  

22:43 – End

Photo by US Dept. of State

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