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Haiti: A Republic of NGOs?

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009 / Time: 6:00am - 8:00am 

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At least 3,000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are operating in Haiti. Struggling with insufficient capacity in the face of overwhelming poverty and environmental disasters, the government has been unable to coordinate or capitalize on what some in Haiti refer to as a “Republic of NGOs."

At least 3,000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are operating in Haiti. Struggling with insufficient capacity in the face of overwhelming poverty and environmental disasters, the government has been unable to coordinate or capitalize on what some in Haiti refer to as a “Republic of NGOs."

However, in April, Haitian officials and international donors touted a new paradigm of economic development in Haiti: rather than funding aid through foreign NGOs, donors looked to the Haitian government to determine priorities and plans and pledged to channel more aid through the public sector.  Does this truly mark a paradigm shift for Haiti?  What does this apparent shift mean for NGOs and development firms working in Haiti?  What is the role of NGOs in this new aid arena? A panel of experts will discussed this topic from their various perspectives.

Speakers

  • John Chromy
    Vice President, CHF International
  • Rob Dressen
    Senior Vice President, DAI
  • Donna Barry
    Advocacy and Policy Director, Partners in Health
  • François Pierre-Louis
    Associate Professor, Queens College
  • Robert Maguire, Moderator
    Associate Professor, Trinity Washington University

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