New Voices Should Be Heard in Haiti (Mon premier texte) by Cyrus Sibert

Originally: New Voices Should Be Heard in Haiti... Cyrus Sibert, Radio Maxima, Cap-Haitien, 2003-07-26 Haiti Democracy Project web page item #848 (http://www.haitipolicy.org) Cyrus Sibert,  Editorialist of Radio Maxima, Cap-Haitian, Haiti.   opinionmaxima@yahoo.com 1. We believe that the international community needs to recognize the new voices in Haiti.  2. We believe that the current Haitian leaders are using their influence to make the international community believe that Haiti is not ready for democracy.  3. We believe that current political parties need to be more inclusive and involve emerging leadership in the decision-making process.   4. We believe that even though the current constitution represents the will of the majority of the citizens in Haiti, it is currently not  being applied adequately to ensure a strong democracy.  5. We believe that the Haitian population is ready for democracy, as they have demonstrated by their courage in the last few elections. The people currently in power are not ready to share power. The international community should pressure them to accept democratic principles as described in the Haitian constitution.  6. We believe that the major purpose of the current leadership seems to be to get rich by any means possible. Corruption is tolerated in both the government and business and those with the courage to expose it are threatened or even  killed.  7. We believe that the current style of leadership based on paternalism is being utilized to manipulate the uneducated and poor in Haiti to impede the growth of democracy.  8. We believe that we need to model our political system after countries where democracy is strong.  9. We believe that the current Haitian constitution should be constantly applied in order to give our country stability.  10. We believe that Haiti needs a nonpartisan government that includes representative from various interest groups rather than just one side. New space needs to be created for new talent.  11. We believe that Haiti needs a more pragmatic and realistic diplomacy based on historical values.  12. We believe that Haiti should forge a strong partnership with the USA, Britain and others who have rendered strong support to our country in the past when we were struggling for independence.  13. We believe that Haiti should have strong security forces patterned after the United States to fight crime--illegal drugs and terrorism.  14. We believe that Haiti would be better off with ways to generate revenue by international investment, tourism, agriculture, industry, etc. rather than begging money from other countries.  15. We believe that Haiti needs to develop a system to open jobs to more people and provide more efficient public services rather than their current system political appointees.  16. We believe that our educational system needs revising in order to provide students with technical skills more suited to a modern economy.  17. We believe that the government needs to support agricultural research and develop markets for new agricultural industry.  18. We believe that Haiti needs to upgrade teacher training and require continuing-education credits to keep teachers up to date on current techniques and information.  19. We believe that Haiti needs technical education based on its native language (Creole). In addition, the government should  strengthen school foreign-language programs based on geographical position and interests.  20. We believe that we need the international community to intercede and create educational and economic opportunities for youth as prevention against extremist movements and violence.  21. We believe that Haiti should follow the examples of Taiwan, Israel, Slovenia and the Dominican Republic, all of which have won the world community's respect.  22. We believe that if Haiti is to grow and develop, its leaders must do a better job of managing their time, talents and resources.  23. We believe that in spite of nearly two centuries of independence, Haiti is still mired in poverty. We need leaders in power committed to put the country's interest before their own self-interest Cyrus Sibert, Editorialist of Radio Maxima, Cap-Haitian, Haiti.