GFDD/FUNGLODE Fellow, Dr. James Mahon, Presents his Research at the Social Economic Council

On Monday, June 17, 2014, Dr. James Mahon presented the results of his research, “Tax Reforms in Latin America,” for the Social Economic Council (CES in Spanish) in Santo Domingo. Dr. Mahon, Professor at Williams College in Massachusetts, was hosted by the distinguished Monsignor Agripino Núñez Collado and Dr. Irma Capriles, Executive Director of CES, a distinguished association of non-partisan representatives from the corporate, social and labor sectors
who offer advice on public policy and political oversight.

Dr. Mahon, who holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and has published numerous articles on tax reform in Latin America, is in the Dominican Republic as part of the Fellows Program, a program for M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. candidates interested in conducting high-level research on topics related to the sustainable development of the Dominican
Republic. To learn more about Dr. Mahon and his participation in the Fellows Program, see his Fellows profile here: http://drfellowsprogram.org/news24.asp.

Throughout the presentation of his research, Dr. Mahon stressed points of interest such as: major tax reforms in the Dominican Republic between 1983 and 2012, pointing to examples from other Latin American countries in different sectors and during
different periods. He also discussed tax collection and tax progressivity, the role of the CES vis-à-vis the government, the Dominican informal economic sector, government connection including state tax exemptions and Dominican Tax Law 258-12. Dr. Mahon showed statistical graphs to elucidate these points.

Following Dr. Mahon’s presentation, the floor was open to questions, discussion, observations, contributions and comments made by representatives from the more
than twenty important organizations present. These included the American Chamber of Commerce  (AMCHAM), the National Association of Hotels and Tourism Organizations, the Dominican Labor Sector, the Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), among others.

The research will be published in GFDD’s: Research and Ideas
Series.

About the Fellows Program:

The Fellows Program was developed in 2009 to respond to a desire on the part of GFDD and FUNGLODE to develop a community of scholars that contributes to the Foundations’ growing body of research on matters of international concern that directly impact the Dominican Republic, complementing the overall mission of GFDD and FUNGLODE to promote academic exchange, generate scholarship,
and influence the creation of public policy related to economic and social development both at the national and international level.

Through the Fellows Program, GFDD and FUNGLODE seek to generate scholarship on issues at the forefront of the United Nations’ agenda in order to give voice to national and regional concerns while offering viable solutions to domestic and international challenges.

The Fellows Program provides opportunities for
M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. candidates interested in conducting high-level research in the Dominican Republic on issues related to sustainable development. The final result of the research is a comprehensive report, which includes empirical data. Fellows undertake research in coordination with the GFDD and FUNGLODE staff, as well as national academic advisors and their own university professors. Fellows that carry out exemplary research work have the opportunity to present their findings before
the United Nations community on behalf of the GFDD and FUNGLODE.