a1437: USAID in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

USAID's programme entitled: 'Genuinely Inclusive Democratic Governance
Attained' - is one of 6 current AID programmes in Haiti. The list, available
on the USAID web site, is as follows:

521-001 Sustainably Increased Income for the Poor
521-002 Environmental Degradation Slowed
521-003 Healthier Families of Desired Size
521-004 Increased Human Capacity
521-005 Genuinely Inclusive Democratic Governance Attained
521-009 Hurricane Georges Recovery

I post below, the Activity Data Sheet for the Genuinely Inclusive Democratic
Governance Attained programme. I was particularly struck by the fourth of the
'key results' that are "necessary to lay the foundation for genuinely
inclusive democratic governance" : "Viable, representative political parties
must be better able to develop platforms and offer electoral alternatives."

This then would explain why the Democratic Convergence is appearing to
obstruct a resolution of the political dispute stemming from the May 2000
elections - the Convergence parties are not yet ready to provide an electoral
alternative to the current government party.


PROGRAM:  Haiti
TITLE AND NUMBER:  Genuinely Inclusive Democratic Governance Attained, 521-005
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT:  $8,835,000 (ESF)
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT:  $5,700,000 (ESF)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1991    ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004

Summary: Haiti has reached a critical juncture in its democratic development.
Donor efforts to strengthen Haiti's democratic institutions suffered a major
setback as a result of the manipulation by the Government of Haiti's
electoral council of the May 21, 2000 parliamentary and local government
elections. These elections should have resolved the political impasse that
has immobilized the country since April 1997, when an earlier electoral
dispute seriously polarized Haiti's political climate. Executive branch
influence over the election vote tabulation shed doubt on the validity of the
entire process and, therefore, the legitimacy of the institutions to which
officials were elected.

As a consequence, USAID will no longer pursue this strategic objective
through Government of Haiti (GOH) institutions but will concentrate on
strengthening grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) that address
elections, government/ civil society relations, and the rule of law. Civil
society's growing engagement with local government and its strong advocacy
for reform, including active support for negotiation to resolve the political
crisis, warrant continued encouragement and assistance.

Key Results: Four key results are necessary to lay the foundation for
genuinely inclusive democratic governance: 1) Civil society organizations
must be better able to positively influence policies; 2) Domestic observer
organizations must become better able to monitor Haitian elections to make
them more credible; 3) There must be more responsive governance by elected
officials, with citizens increasingly treated according to the rule of law;
and 4) Viable, representative political parties must be better able to
develop platforms and offer electoral alternatives.

Performance and Prospects:  Past USAID support has resulted in civil society
organizations surmounting formidable obstacles to gain respect for democracy
in Haiti. Individual CSOs prevailed in voicing diverse opposition to the 1999
dissolution of parliament, successfully negotiating with the executive to
name a Provisional Electoral Council, and mustering a large voter
registration, election-day turnout, and volunteer election monitoring effort
in May 2000. CSOs improved their ability to clearly articulate objectives,
raise funds, take action to influence policy decisions, and follow up on
policy implementation. USAID training of CSOs resulted in 22,000 volunteers
participating in the first ever independent, national monitoring effort by
Haitians in May 2000. Forty-five domestic observer organizations from a range
of political parties registered and received USAID training in electoral
observation. Nearly all published written reports containing their
observations. After gross irregularities were detected in the vote
tabulation, these organizations demonstrated strong independence by
collectively denouncing the first round elections and refusing to observe the
second. For the first time, many polling stations were relocated to public
locations from the private homes of political activists.

Although the new parliament is not considered legitimate, soon it will take
up legislation on decentralization, judicial reform, and the legal parameters
within which NGOs may function -- elements considered crucial to the future
of democratic governance in Haiti. Through organizational strengthening and
improved advocacy skills, USAID will help CSOs participate in the formulation
of this legislation and future GOH policies essential to inclusive democratic
governance. USAID will increase modestly its investment in civil society
modestly, with an emphasis on building trust between segments of society,
improving citizen engagement with government, and integrating regional and
national policy reforms. USAID will specifically promote the formation of
coalitions and alliances among CSOs that pursue judicial reform.

For FY 2001, $8.84 million in ESF funds will be used to: support civic
education programs to inform citizens of their rights and responsibilities in
a democracy and help them exercise those rights ($1.56 million); support
policy reforms across sectors ($4.3 million); strengthen the National
Observer Commission's (CNO) interests in policy reform ($210,000); strengthen
the CNO's capacity to monitor Haitian elections ($210,000); and build
constituencies for judicial reform ($2.56 million).

For FY 2002, $5.7 million in ESF funds will be used to continue these same
programs to: support civic education programs to inform citizens of their
rights and responsibilities in a democracy and help them exercise those
rights ($1.6 million); support policy reforms across sectors ($2.2 million);
strengthen the National Observer Commission's (CNO) interests toward policy
reforms ($200.000); strengthen the CNO's capacity to monitor Haitian
elections ($300,000); and build constituencies for judicial reform ($1.4
million).

Possible Adjustments to Plans:  No adjustments planned.

Other Donor Programs:  USAID collaborates closely with other donors in the
democracy arena, including the United Nations Development Program, Canada,
France, the European Union, Japan, the Netherlands, and the Inter-American
Development Bank.

Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies:  U.S. partners in this sector
include the National Democratic Institute, Management Services International,
the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and America's Development
Foundation. Non-U.S. partners include numerous local Haitian NGOs.