ABSTRACT: CANADA IN HAITI - CONSIDERING THE 3-D APPROACH
The second international intervention in a decade is underway in Haiti. The challenges are formidable: security continues to be a problem; the economy is in ruins, sustained principally by remittances; high levels of lawlessness and a strong narco-trafficking presence make the emergence of former military and paramilitary figures particularly worrisome; the country's social fabric is seriously strained as is its humanitarian and development infrastructure.
Canada has a long history of involvement in Haiti. Immigration, history, language and culture, geography and Canada's previous engagements mean that we will continue to support democratic and sustainable development in the island nation. While charting the country's democratic and development course must be left to Haitians, the Canadian government, civil society groups, and the Diaspora community have pledged their support. At the same time, 2005 marked a critical shift in the way in which the Canadian government perceives Canada's place in the world. In the spring, the Martin government released the much-anticipated report,
Canada's International Policy Statement: A Role of Pride and Influence in the World . In it, the government called for a "3-D approach" to external relations, a three-pronged strategy that blends Canada's diplomatic, defence and development activities to form a coordinated engagement in trouble areas. Not surprisingly, the report identified Canadian involvement in Haiti as a priority, specifically in the area of "supporting the strengthening of police capacity".
Still, before proceeding with a new nation-building exercise, it is worth pausing to reflect on the past and on the way forward. How should the form, nature and aims of Canada's intervention be adapted? Will the "3-D approach" outlined in the International Policy Statement bring something new to the mix? How will the 3-D approach need to be adjusted for Haiti?
This one-day workshop will explore these questions with the help of three panels.
The first panel will set the stage by discussing the various challenges listed above that currently act as impediments to Haiti's stability. The political and economic conjuncture as well as the role of international actors will be explored. Panellists will address current and historical obstacles to democratization and development, as well as the role of the most important foreign actor in Haiti, the United States.
The second panel will focus on Canada's diplomatic, defence and development work in Haiti. At the moment, there are no Canadian troops deployed in Haiti. However, there have been in the past, and Canadians could be involved once again. Panelists will consider our past experience in Haiti. They will also consider if the Haitian case would represent a unique case of operational coordination or inter-organizational coordination. What should the role of the military be with respect to the other 2Ds in the Haitian case? For instance, should the military be supporting alternate leadership in Haitian neighbourhoods - to reduce the influence of the "gang" leaders? If it assists in the distribution of development aid, is it reinforcing the influence of these actors? Haiti has been referred to by development practitioners as a "Difficult Partnership Country". What lessons has CIDA learned from its previous experience in Haiti? How has it altered its approach?
The third panel will explore the contributions of Canadian civil society groups (development, and human rights NGOs) as well as the diaspora to democracy building and sustainable development. The Diaspora has been singled out as an important source of development expertise, what are the challenges associated with Diaspora engagement in Haiti? What difficulties have Canadian NGOs encountered in trying to respond to the most vulnerable? Have NGOs benefited from or been impaired by their relationship with the peacebuilding troops? On the human rights front, what are some of the pressing issues preventing the establishment of a vibrant human rights climate in Haiti? How might these be addressed, and even remedied?
Scholars, government officials, NGO and church representatives, as well as interested Canadians, will explore these questions during this workshop sponsored by the University of Waterloo's Centre for Foreign Policy and Federalism (CFPF), the Laurier Centre on Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies (LCMSDS), the Academic Council on the United Nations (ACUNS), and the Centre on International Governance Innovation (CIGI). The panelists will present in both French and English. Simultaneous translation will be provided.
