29954: Lucas (Editorial) How to Make Haiti Better (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Stanley Lucas <maloukwi@yahoo.com>

How to Make Haiti Better
By Stanley Lucas
centurionlucas@gmail.com
www.haitisolutions.blogspot.com
  The Diagnosis
  We have been talking – over the Internet and radio – about the complex issues 
that face Haiti and the convoluted political environment.  But, the essence of 
all Haiti’s problems can be traced back to one issue:  poverty.  Competition 
for scarce resources has resulted in a corrupt political elite focused on 
asserting control in order to divide up the small “pie” amongst themselves and 
their international allies, rather than focusing on building a viable economic 
plan that addresses the country’s harsh realities and checkered past. 
Unfortunately, many in US policy circles, there is a strong contingent of those 
who remain engaged in Latin America and the Caribbean who are promoting 
populism, rather than truly focusing on improvement in the region and democracy 
and economic development.
  The people are forced to focus on survival by any means possible.  Survival 
encompasses daily subsistence, avoiding running afoul of a corrupt political 
regime, and staying alive in a country rife with kidnappings, rape, beating and 
extortion.  Daily survival requires finding enough food to eat and a means to 
cook the food.  Many cut down the ever more scarce trees (comprising only 1% of 
the land) to make coal to cook.  There is almost no electricity.
  These are the realities underlying Haiti’s current situation.  Given these 
realities, it is truly the leaders’ responsibility and even moral obligation to 
put together a plan, clean up the government and make some measurable progress. 
Therefore, what is most disturbing is that Haiti’s political elite do nothing 
to address the situation.
  The Prognosis
  Lying only 90 miles off the shores of the US, which also deals with a 
significant amount of refugees, one would think that Haiti would factor 
somewhere into the US foreign policy and aid.  But it does not in any 
significant way.  Fact is that the US is made up of people who are used to 
“pulling themselves up by their bootstraps”.  The average Haitian citizen 
shares this mindset.  They want the opportunity to make a better life for 
themselves.  Some of the wealthiest minority businessmen in the United States 
are Haitians who came here with nothing and made tremendous fortunes.  However, 
in Haiti, the efforts of the people are futile against the chaotic political 
situation and a complete lack of security.  Their futile efforts do not 
register with people overseas who only see that the country cannot “get it 
together”.  As a result, Haiti is almost forgotten.  As a foreign policy 
concern, it falls at the bottom of the list.
  The world is progressing at an amazing rate.  The computer revolution, the 
Internet age, 3G, SMS, advancements in healthcare, AIDS vaccines, new business 
models, TiVo … and Haiti does not even have steady electricity.  It is being 
left behind and will have a massive struggle to even catch up to subsistence 
levels.  We need to take action – and get healthy.
  The Diagnosis
  So what has to happen to make a change?  We need to treat the root of the 
problem rather than addressing the symptoms.  You do not treat a patient for a 
cough when they have lung cancer.
  What I would advocate is putting the focus on reducing poverty.  This is 
common ground for all competing interests and something everyone should agree 
upon.  If we make this our focus, all other issues will naturally fall in line 
underneath this framework. Poverty reduction should be at the center of all 
Haiti’s international round tables rather than ancillary issues such as 
amending Haiti’s constitution promoted by the International Crisis Group and 
the current United Nations Mission in Haiti. No matter how much we tinker with 
the constitution, it will not solve this problem
  My strong belief is that change should come incrementally and peacefully 
through dialogue and engagement.  There are many competing interests in Haiti – 
and as mentioned above, there are scarce resources.  Specifically, I would call 
for (in no particular order):

1.  If leaders are not going to take it upon themselves to put together a 
viable economic plan and clean up the government, then it is time for the 
people to stand up and for international pressure to ramp up, not only from the 
US, but also from the EU and Canada.  This requires a mobilization of the 
Haitian Diaspora to move Haiti up the priority list through their strong voices 
and steady pressure.  The current leadership needs to be sent a strong message 
that no one is going to tolerate or accept the old way of doing things.  But 
the international community must be compelled to put in place real measures 
that do not support those trying to undermine Haiti’s growth.
  2.  It has always been a political – and safety risk – for Haitians to 
peacefully stand up to strongmen and insist on a dialogue.  Haiti is a 
democracy – the leadership should be auditioning for your vote.  Why not create 
a series of dialogues through town hall meetings in specific districts and 
invite the members of parliament to attend and participate in a frank and open 
discussion of their plans to promote economic development and alleviate 
poverty?
  3.  The associations and chambers of commerce should also play a strong role 
for advocating good policy and development.  They have the unique understanding 
of key economic and social issues and can speak on behalf of a group of people. 
Why not start a “member scorecard” ranking or “grading” members of parliament 
on their progress on issues that are important for economic and social 
development, such as environmental protection, good business regulations, and 
education.

These are simple steps that we all talk about but don’t put into action.  Let’s 
take action.  My blog www.solutionshaiti.blogspot.com will serve as an 
organizing center for those interested in helping me with this mission.  I have 
prepared specific talking points for Diaspora reaching out to their host 
government leaders, questions and itineraries for organizing town halls, and 
suggestions for how associations and chambers might organize scorecards.  I am 
happy to work with anyone to help organize and put plans into action.  This is 
a grassroots effort and requires some resolve to put into action.  Let’s work 
together to make Haiti better.  After all, it is your Haiti.



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