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22413: Cantave: Haitian Development and Policy Forum in Boston (fwd)
From: AlixCantave@aol.com
Haitian Studies Association Africana Studies Department William Monroe Trotter Institute
Saturday, July 24, 20048:00 AM – 5:00 PM, University of Massachusetts Boston
HAITIAN DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY The Next Decade
Putting Haiti on the Path of Reconstruction
Planning Committee: Alix Cantave (H.S.A/Boston Pan-African Forum); Robert Johnson (Africana Studies); Marc Prou (H.S.A/Africana Studies); Castellano Turner (Trotter Institute); Ken Lemanski (Chancellor’s Office)
Haiti’s social and economic conditions have deteriorated significantly. Political crises and instability during the past five years have worsened an already bleak situation and devastated the country’s frail public institutions, including its justice system. Haiti’s social and economic indicators reflect the instability, institutional collapse, and lack of appropriate policy responses. The country’s human development index (HDI), according to the 2003 Human Development Report, was very low. Haiti ranked 150 out of 175 nations, the lowest ranking in the Western Hemisphere. In terms of GDP per capita, Haiti ranked 179 out of 230 countries. Haiti had an adult illiteracy rate of 49.2 percent and a life expectancy of 49.1 years. A total of 54 percent of the population do not have access to safe drinking water and 50 percent do not have access to decent sanitation. In 2001, the prevalence of HIV among females between the ages of 15 and 24 years old was 5 percent. Mortality during that same year was 79 per 1,000 live birth and 123 per 1,000 children under the age of five. Haiti has the daunting task of rebuilding its public institutions and starting a process that could lead to economic, political and social reconstruction and reverse the headlong course into further decline and despair.
The Haitian Studies Project/Haitian Studies Association based at University of Massachusetts Boston has been playing a leading role over the past 15 years in initiating discussions on Haitian policy issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective. University of Massachusetts Boston through the Haitian Studies Project is in a unique position to convene a policy forum to address four fundamental issues that are necessary in order to put Haiti on the path of reconstruction:
• Politics and Governance • Education• Economic Development • Judicial Reform
In order to contribute to serious discussion about Haitian reconstruction, these issues must be placed within the context of institution building, governmental reform, and societal consensus. By holding this forum during the week or close to the date of Democratic National Convention, it would be a unique opportunity to engage United States policy makers in a constructive dialogue with Haiti experts on the most appropriate and effective role for the United States in the reconstruction of Haiti.
Pre-registration Fees and Deadlines
Conference pre-registration fee is $20, and $25 on the day of the conference. The fee includes all conference events and meals and is non-refundable. Register early; space is limited to the first 250 registrants. Parking is available at an additional cost in the UMASS Boston garage. Parking space is guaranteed only up to 10am.
Mail form and check/money order to: Haitian Development and Public Policy ConferenceWilliam Monroe Trotter Institute100 Morrissey BoulevardBoston, MA 02125-3393Tel. 617-287-5885---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Registration FormPlease print clearly. The information on this form will be reproduced on your name tag.
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