Filed under: Economic Development, Haiti | Tags: Ban Ki-moon, Development, Economic Growth, Haiti, HOPE II, Paul Collier, Sweatshops, Textile Production, UN Secretary General, United Nations
Google has a neat application that lets you track specific words as they pop-up across the internet. A couple months back I added the word “Haiti” and have been using to it keep track of news worthy developments.
After UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon’s recent visit to Haiti, where he touted a US-Haiti trade agreement cleverly named HOPE II, the internet has been buzzing with claims that the UN and US are trying to turn Haiti into America’s sweatshop. The bill gives Haiti’s garment manufacturers duty-free, quota-free access to American markets and is a central piece of Haiti’s development strategy. But not everyone is as excited by the agreement.
A recent comment on my “Advice to Donors: Give Haiti a Chance” post sums up the distaste for HOPE II: (more…)
Filed under: Economic Development, Haiti, Haitian Politics | Tags: Ban Ki-moon, Development, Economic Growth, FONKOZE, Haiti, International Crisis Group, Paul Collier, UN Secretary General, United Nations
Haiti is a country with an image problem. It’s a country whose poverty and chaos is often on display, but not much beyond that. Its people, its culture, its creativity, its beauty is sidelined for poor naked kids eating dirt cookies.
This is a problem for Haiti, a country trying to attract tourists and build the economic foundations for a stable and prosperous society. It obscures what Haiti has to offer. It inspires poverty-fatigue, leading international audiences to think Haiti is forever doomed to be a basket-case. It’s also a problem I can be guilty of contributing to.
My work with Fonkoze is focused on programs aimed at Haiti’s poorest. And it results that my work forms the basis for my writing, hence the images and tales of extreme poverty and the “ultra poor.” I should make it clear, however, that this is not all there is to Haiti. This is just a segment of the population. I hope this much is clear: Haiti is more than suffering and deprivation.
Now, imagine my excitement when I came across a report, by a noted expert of “fragile states,” who is optimistic about the economic future of Haiti. The report is well elaborated and well argued, showing light at the end of the tunnel for Haiti – as long as certain preconditions can be met. It was specially prepared for the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
I’ve linked to the document here for all interested. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in Haiti’s current and future economic prospects read this report. It clearly identifies the sectors poised for growth.
I have also linked to a report by the International Crisis Group, a well-respected and influential organization “working to prevent conflict worldwide.” This second document is a must read for anyone looking to get up-to-speed on the current state of economic, social and political affairs in Haiti. It’s concise, well researched, and full of priceless insights.
The documents, while offering up reasons for concern, show that Haiti is at a crossroads in its history; at a singular moment to escape the cycle of violence and chaos that has kept it poor. If the country can take advantage of its opportunity, who knows what tomorrow may hold for Haiti.
I love to hear opinions on the two pieces I’ve posted here. Positive? Negative? Something in between?
