The current State of Affairs of Haiti

Panel: The current State of Affairs of Haiti

Summary:

When analyzing the political scene in Haiti, one can be overwhelmed by the situation and conclude that the country could never change. Is this a true statement? If there is hope, what needs to happen? How to reverse the tide of negativity? What is the role the diaspora and Haitians living in the country? Should the diaspora get more involved in the politics of the country? The panel conversation will follow this outline:

The unmet needs/problems

  • What has the latest round of elections exposed about our electoral process?
  • There has been a strong push for investment and tourism in the country. A poll conducted earlier this year reveals that jobs remain the number one issue for Haitians. What does this imply about the confidence the public should have in some of these initiatives.
  • Haiti has been at the center of the disaster relief industry conversation. Reports exposing mismanagement of funds and unethical practices have brought to light what little impact earthquake relief funds have had for the country. How did this happen?
  • There’s a growing humanitarian crisis at the border for Dominico Haitians. What immediate problems are exacerbating this issue?

Potential solutions to the problems identified

  • How can the electoral process be changed to ensure a smoother, more transparent process?
  • How can some of the larger initiatives for business in Haiti can be translated into immediate job opportunities? What opportunities for employment are there in the agricultural sector?
  • How can the diaspora and Haiti officials take more charge and have a hand in deciding how relief funds are used?
  • What immediate processes can be put in place to help Dominico Haitians at the border?

Stakeholders that should be involved in the solutions and Roles

  • Who or what groups should be championing the proposed solutions above?

Barriers to achieving the goal (s) or implementing the solution (s)

  • What are the obstacles that Haiti officials and the diaspora face when trying to implement change Haiti on the political and business level?

Incentives and Infrastructure needed to promote solutions

  • A common belief in Haiti is that much of the election violence at poll sites are the result of people hired by candidates to disrupt voting if they believe the ballots aren’t going in their favor. How do we show Haiti politicians and their operatives that doing things “the right” way is in their best interest even if it means losing an election?
  • How can Haiti business owners show investors the country is able to put in place the logistics and infrastructure needed for a profitable business?
  • What system can be put in place that would allow Haiti officials and international overseers to both have control in how relief money is spent?

Implementation plan or existing models that can be replicated

  • What lessons can be learned from post disaster building such as in the case of Katrina and post tsunami Thailand?
  • What lessons can be taken away and applied to the historic elections that took place in Nigeria this year?

Success evaluation

  • How do we quantify the successes we have had so that we can use them as evidence against future criticisms.

Moderator: Vania Andre, Editor of the Haitian Times

Panelists:

  • Dr. Eduardo A. Gamarra, Ph.D, Professor of Florida International University (FIU)
  • Francois Guillaume II, Former Minister of Haitians Living Abroad
  • Kesner Pharel, President of Groupe Croissance