Written by: Fritz Simon, UNA-Haiti

The PBC - a synergistic approach 

In his remarks on the General Assembly's endorsement of the Peacebuilding Commission in New York, 20 December 2005‚ the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan states:
"It will improve coordination both within and beyond the UN system. It will develop best practices and ensure predictable funding. Perhaps most important of all, it will liaise with the international community to keep us all engaged in the long term recovery effort."

Indeed‚ as an advisory subsidiary organ of the General Assembly and the Security Council‚ the Peacebuilding Commission will advise and propose integrated strategies for aiding countries that are emerging from conflict‚ focusing attention on reconstruction, institution-building and sustainable development.

Paragraph 21 of the Resolution 60/180 adopted by the General Assembly establishing the  Peacebuilding Commission  specifically encourages it to consult with NGOs and other players within civil society, as well as all donor organizations and relevant contributors such as the international financial institutions.

Peacebuilding and Haiti
Peace and conflict have different meaning for people living under diverse conditions and post-conflict situation vary from place to place. By building consensus and improving coordination of efforts among the many actors‚ the Peacebuilding Commission will likely improve the overall efficiency of its intervention. It can tailor its activities on a case by case basis during difficult post-conflict years when the economies and institutions of assisted countries are extremely weak and vulnerable. Without this approach the actions of the Commission will be ineffective.

Haiti is a classic example of the UN at work:

Intervention and peacekeeping missions:
The UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti (1993-2000) has not been easy. Its few successes have been tempered by a number of failures. The intervention was well intentioned‚ however‚ UN decision-makers were either biased or misinformed in failing to consider critical elements at play within the country. There were no armed conflicts threatening the peace, or warfare between Haiti and her neighbors‚ as has occurred in many places far more dangerous but never subjected to UN peacekeeping intervention. A lengthy embargo was imposed as a sanction against Haiti‚ without any consideration of the adverse socio-economic and humanitarian consequences for the population‚ in a futile attempt to force out of office an illegitimate government and reinstate a dethroned ruler.

The UN most recent mission (2004 - to date) so far is falling short of expectations:
For the most part, decisions are taken without adequate consultation with people for whom some issues mean life or death. For most Haitians‚ peace implies not only the absence of war, but the absence of all kind of violence. It means harmony and acknowledgement of the dignity of all human beings in a holistic way. And it also means a condition that offers people hope for the future. 

Examples of conflict in Haiti
Haiti has many potential sources of conflict including:

  •  land disputes‚ neighbor encroachments and property damages;
  • tension between the "haves and have nots" that translate into deep political divisions and ongoing struggle for scarce resources;
  • high levels of illiteracy and poverty‚ that obscure the advantage of Democracy. Everyone   wants  to be part of the ruling group‚ but once elected or selected‚ nobody wants to give up power peacefully;
  • lack of respect for basic rights and civil liberties.
    Hence‚ the biggest challenges to peace in Haiti are unemployment‚ illiteracy‚ human rights violations‚ corruption and political treachery.
    How could the PBC change the landscape in Haiti?

The newly created Commission can make an encouraging and significant first impression by:

  • consulting with all relevant actors previously excluded‚ including members of the Haiti Diaspora;
  • advising the Security Council to urgently redefine the current UN mission in Haiti in conformity with its stated mission of ensuring peace by focusing attention on reconstruction, institution-building and sustainable development.

How can UNA-Haiti be of assistance?As a membership organization made up of nationals in Haiti as well as expatriates and foreigners‚ UNA-Haiti can:

  • help develop programs tailored for full cultural relevancy and situational applicability;
  • create networks of people to work together to generate a consciousness and awareness of what is necessary to avoid a rupture in our collective vision of peace and harmony;
  • encourage policy-makers and the civil society‚ including women's groups‚ NGOs and the private sector to support the work of the Peacebuilding Commission‚ particularly its conflict-prevention efforts;
  • help in building the capacity for effective peace builders through training, and organize seminars to educate people on dispute resolution processes and human rights issues.
    By improving coordination of activities among all the relevant players‚ the Peacebuilding Commission would be able to help Haiti in this new effort at national reconstruction.

Fritz Simon UNA HaitiMr. Fritz Simon is co-founder of the UNA-Haiti. He has been a life-long civil and human rights activist and  peace-advocate. He spent 21 years in exile in the United States during the Duvaliers' era and  returned to Haiti in 1986. As a candidate, he participated in Haiti's presidential elections of December 16, 1990.
 Mr. Fritz Simon is currently serving as  Secretary General of UNA-Haiti. For more, click here>>