Lancement du livre du GRAHN « Construction d’une Haïti Nouvelle. Vision et contribution du GRAHN».

Communiqué de presse Pour diffusion immédiate Lancement du livre du GRAHN  « Construction d'une Haïti Nouvelle. Vision et contribution du GRAHN» Montréal - le 21 octobre 2010 – Suite au colloque historique du 4 et 5 mars et de la conférence internationale qui s'est tenue les 20 et 21 mai derniers à l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, le Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour une Haïti nouvelle (GRAHN) a le plaisir d'annoncer le lancement du livre «Construction d'une Haïti Nouvelle. Vision et contribution du GRAHN  qui aura lieu le 3 novembre prochain de 16h à 20h30 à l'Amphithéâtre Ernest-Cormier de l'Université de Montréal (Pavillon Roger-Gaudry), à Montréal. Cet ouvrage collectif se veut une modeste contribution du GRAHN à l'effort de réflexion devant servir à l'émergence d'une Haïti nouvelle. Ce livre s'adresse aux citoyens haïtiens de l'intérieur et de l'extérieur, aux institutions haïtiennes, aux dirigeants politiques haïtiens actuels et futurs, aux institutions internationales de coopération, aux organisations gouvernementales et non gouvernementales œuvrant en Haïti, aux citoyens et aux dirigeants des pays amis d'Haïti ainsi qu'aux citoyens du monde entier souhaitant mieux comprendre les problèmes du pays. Pour cerner la problématique haïtienne, ce livre comprend dix chapitres qui constituent autant de champs d'intervention à considérer dans un projet de reconstruction ou de refondation du pays : l'aménagement du territoire et l'environnement, le développement économique et la création d'emplois, les infrastructures nationales, la reconstruction de l'État et la gouvernance, la santé publique et la population, la solidarité et le développement social, le système éducatif haïtien, le patrimoine et la culture, les interventions urgentes et posturgentes, la planification globale et le financement. Ce livre est une œuvre de GRAHN-Monde, réalisée sous la direction de Samuel Pierre, l'un de ses membres fondateurs, avec la collaboration de plus de 120 coauteurs et contributeurs. GRAHN-Monde est une organisation mondiale de vigie citoyenne, privilégiant une approche participative pour articuler un cadre de reconstruction d'Haïti qui va au-delà de la simple réfection des infrastructures physiques. Il préconise une réflexion permanente débouchant sur des actions structurantes et coordonnées en vue de la construction d'une Haïti nouvelle fondée sur le droit, le partage, la solidarité, l'éducation, le respect de l'environnement et le culte du bien commun.  30- Pour toutes informations supplémentaires : http://www.haiti-grahn.org Contacts : Rodrigue Baugé, Responsable du Comité de promotion, rodrigue.baug@sympatico.ca Nancy Roc, Responsable de la promotion auprès des médias hors-Québec, nroc@incaproductions.com ____________________ "La vraie reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes en profondeur des structures de l'État pour restaurer la confiance, encourager les investisseurs et mettre le peuple au travail. Il faut finir avec cette approche d'un État paternaliste qui tout en refusant de créer le cadre approprié pour le développement des entreprises mendie des millions sur la scène internationale en exhibant la misère du peuple." Cyrus Sibert Reconstruction d'Haïti : A quand les Réformes structurelles? Haïti : La continuité du système colonial d'exploitation  prend la forme de monopole au 21e Siècle. WITHOUT REFORM, NO RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN HAITI (U.S. Senate report.)

Two eleventh hour requests for President von Arx

COPY October 21, 2010 Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. President Fairfield University Fairfield, Connecticut Re: Two eleventh hour requests Dear President von Arx, First Request: I am pleading with you at this eleventh hour to allow our small group of advocates to hand out fliers just outside the Barone Campus Center. Why? Being close by, instead of being banished to the far away campus entrance, offers us the opportunity to more fully discuss the desperate plight of the boys in Haiti with attendees of Homecoming Weekend. A donation box would be available for people who want to help. As I have told you repeatedly, we are scraping and begging for every dollar we can get to help feed, clothe and educate the boys who were abused at Project Pierre Toussaint. Second Request: In addition, I am asking you to hold a special collection for the boys in Haiti at the Homecoming Mass, scheduled for 11:00 am on Sunday, October 24th  at the on campus Egan Chapel. I am certain you will agree that it is incumbent upon all caring and concerned people to help these child sex abuse victims know that someone cares about them. We must stand side by side and, as best we can, be in communion and solidarity with their pain and suffering. I look forward to your timely response. Sincerely, Paul Kendrick Fairfield University '72 * "Solidarity is learned through "contact" rather than through "concepts." When the heart is touched by direct experience, the mind may be challenged to change. Personal involvement with innocent suffering, with the injustices others suffer, is the catalyst for solidarity which then gives rise to intellectual inquiry and moral reflection." Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., former Jesuit superior general, October 2000 at Santa Clara University. ____________________ "La vraie reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes en profondeur des structures de l'État pour restaurer la confiance, encourager les investisseurs et mettre le peuple au travail. Il faut finir avec cette approche d'un État paternaliste qui tout en refusant de créer le cadre approprié pour le développement des entreprises mendie des millions sur la scène internationale en exhibant la misère du peuple." Cyrus Sibert Reconstruction d'Haïti : A quand les Réformes structurelles? Haïti : La continuité du système colonial d'exploitation  prend la forme de monopole au 21e Siècle. WITHOUT REFORM, NO RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN HAITI (U.S. Senate report.)

Perlitz Victims Receive Aid With Alum Visit

Perlitz Victims Receive Aid With Alum Visit (Photo by Cyrus Sibert) October 20, 2010 By: Alexandria Hein Without contributions from Fairfield University, the New England Jesuits, and the Order of Malta, Paul Kendrick'72 an advocate for the child sex abuse victims who were sexually abused by Fairfield alumnus, Doug Perlitz, is grateful to announce that Perlitz's victims are slowly being enrolled in local Haitian schools. Kendrick has been fighting tirelessly, along with Haitian journalist Cyrus Sibert, who first reported Perlitz's abuse in late 2007, to get the 18 boys that were abused by Perlitz at his Project Pierre Toussaint School, back on track. He has called upon Fairfield University countless times to take responsibility and aid in the process of helping the boys, but has been met with nothing but silence and hostility. In 2002, Perlitz was the keynote commencement speaker and was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree. In 2005, Fairfield awarded Perlitz with the Alumni Humanitarian Award, but has now wiped its hand clean of the Haitian project, which was also spearheaded by former head of campus ministry, Rev. Paul Carrier, S.J. When allegations against Perlitz first surfaced in early 2008, Carrier was suddenly removed from the Board of Directors and has since disappeared from public ministry and life, separating Fairfield University from the scandal even further. This Homecoming Weekend, Kendrick plans on standing at the entrance of Fairfield again, like he did on the first day of school to distribute fliers about how to raise money for the boys. The administration has other plans for him, and after receiving a call from the head of security at Fairfield, Kendrick vows that he will, "not be censored by President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. in the pursuit of justice for the child sex abuse victims in Haiti." The phone call was apparently to go over ground rules for Kendrick's visit to campus. Security claims that when Kendrick and Louis Elneus (a nonprofit organizer who provides textbooks for schools in Haiti) and two other advocates were on campus in September, they apparently received complaints that they were tying up traffic. Kendrick said that this is simply not true. He also rations that there is no other way to distribute leaflets to cars pulling onto campus than to meet them. Kendrick was not forcing the fliers on cars, or chasing down vehicles, he was simply standing with his arm outreached offering the flier to whoever opened their window to receive them. University officials were not pleased with him and responded, "This is the first day of class for the fall semester, and the University community's responsibility is to focus on opening day activities and the students' educational experience." The spokeswoman who commented for that story was Nancy Habetz; she and the picture of Perlitz with the boys of Project Pierre Toussaint School she had in her office, has since left. After many unanswered emails to residents and other alumni groups of Fairfield, Kendrick reported that donations have trickled in, enabling the boys in Haiti to be provided with some of their basic needs, including rice and beans, medical treatment, shelter and uniforms and shoes (which are needed to be enrolled in school). "Step by step, we're getting the boys back in school," he said. But still, the donors are just a few people, among how many alumni, among how many Fairfield residents, and among how many Jesuits in the world. Kendrick has contacted numerous members of administration, including campus ministry and has been met with silence. He is in constant contact with Cyrus, who has been working diligently to try and make sure the boys have all that they need. Kendrick's recent project, which asked for two dollars per day for the 20 boys abused, would guarantee the boys a ration of rice and beans for that day. This weekend he will continue to raise the consciousness of the entire Fairfield University community. Kendrick said that the Fairfield administration, faculty, students and alumni are sending a strong message to the boys who were abused and to the people of Haiti: "If your child reports to us that he or she has been sexually abused by one of us, we will close the school and put you back on the streets with no place for you to live and nothing for you to eat. We will abandon you." Similar Posts: Fairfield Turns Back on Perlitz's Victims Who's who in the Perlitz scandal Did the University try to cover up Perlitz allegations? Perlitz Faces Nine Additional Charges Day One in Haiti ____________________ "La vraie reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes en profondeur des structures de l'État pour restaurer la confiance, encourager les investisseurs et mettre le peuple au travail. Il faut finir avec cette approche d'un État paternaliste qui tout en refusant de créer le cadre approprié pour le développement des entreprises mendie des millions sur la scène internationale en exhibant la misère du peuple." Cyrus Sibert Reconstruction d'Haïti : A quand les Réformes structurelles? Haïti : La continuité du système colonial d'exploitation prend la forme de monopole au 21e Siècle. WITHOUT REFORM, NO RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN HAITI (U.S. Senate report.)

Fairfield University alumnus will hand out fliers on the Fairfield University campus to protest the abandonment of child sex abuse victims in Haiti who were raped by Fairfield University alumnus, Douglas Perlitz.

For immediate release October 22, 2010              Contact:  Paul Kendrick   207-838 1319   A 61 year-old Fairfield University alumnus will hand out fliers on the Fairfield University campus to protest the abandonment of child sex abuse victims in Haiti who were raped by Fairfield University alumnus, Douglas Perlitz.   For the past two and one-half years, Fairfield University has abandoned and ignored the homeless street children in Haiti who were sexually abused by Perlitz, the former Executive Director of Fairfield University created and sponsored - Project Pierre Toussaint in Cap Haitian, Haiti.   Fairfield University President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. won't even help the victims by donating a measly $2 per day, per boy, to help provide for their basic needs of food, water, safe shelter, medicine and education.   WHAT   In recent months, the boys in Haiti have barely been receiving a daily ration of rice, beans and spaghetti provided by the generous donations of abuse victims/survivors and supporters from New England . In addition, the boys have each received a pair of shoes and although most were able to be enrolled in school, tuition still needs to be paid in full. Over $9,000 has been raised privately but now there is no money. Immediate help is needed from Fairfield University .   WHEN   Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It is Homecoming Weekend at Fairfield University .   WHERE   On the public sidewalk at the main entrance to Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Rd., Fairfield , Connecticut,  06824.     WHO   Paul Kendrick, Fairfield University , '72, will be joined by a small group of victims/survivors of sex abuse, supporters and advocates.   WHY   Here is a copy of the text of the leaflets:   Fairfield University basked in the shining grace of Project Pierre Toussaint   There can be no argument that the Fairfield University community proudly aligned itself with Doug Perlitz's humanitarian work in Haiti . In the minds of many, Perlitz was the personification of a Jesuit education; he was a "Person for Others."   For eleven years, Fairfield University 's campus ministry operation, under the direction of Rev. Paul Carrier, S.J., immersed itself in Project Pierre Toussaint. The Egan Chapel was filled with photos, newsletters, etc. about Perlitz and Project Pierre Toussaint. Father Carrier traveled to Haiti almost once a month and spoke with Perlitz by phone several times each day.                   Carrier was always asking the editors of university magazines and newsletters to publish stories about the Haiti project. In addition, Carrier raised money for the Project whenever he spoke at local parishes. In many ways, Paul Carrier was the kind of guy a non-profit would like to have on their team. He was a successful, energetic, charismatic "rainmaker" who knew how to tug at people's hearts.   Carrier used a Fairfield University mailing address to accept donations for the Haiti Fund, Inc., a non-profit corporation that was established by Carrier to oversee the Haiti Project.  Carrier chaperoned many "Ignatian Immersion Experience" trips to Haiti with students from the University. In 2002, the University awarded Perlitz an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and Perlitz was asked to deliver the commencement address. In 2005, Perlitz was the recipient of the Alumni Humanitarian Award at the annual Fairfield University Awards Dinner in New York City .   Then, in April 2006, for reasons still not entirely clear, Carrier was removed without warning as Director of Fairfield's Campus Ministry to embark upon a sabbatical to prepare for his next assignment. Two years later in April 2008, Jesuit Provincial Thomas Regan, S.J., ordered Carrier to resign as Chairman of the Haiti Fund, Inc. and to resign from his non-salaried teaching position at the Sacred Heart Convent School in Greenwich . In October 2009, it was announced by the Provincial that Carrier was restricted from all public ministry. There have been no charges of child sex abuse against Carrier.   Keeping Secrets   In October 2008, Dr. Mark Reed, Vice President for Administrative and Student Affairs at Fairfield University was approached with a reasonable request to help protect children (at the time, Perlitz's whereabouts were unknown).   "If a person were to visit the Fairfield University web site and enter "Douglas Perlitz" in the search bar, one would immediately view 25 Fairfield University press releases about Perlitz. After reading the press releases, one would think that Perlitz is a saint, a special individual who has devoted his life to helping others. Think about this. If the owner of a day care center googled Perlitz's name as part of the hiring process, he or she would think they hit the jackpot and would most likely hire Perlitz immediately. They would have no idea that the Project Pierre Toussaint Board of Directors is on record as having fired Perlitz for the sexual abuse of children … Please ensure that the information about why Douglas Perlitz was fired as Executive Director of Project Pierre Toussaint (you can publish the Board's public letter) is published on the Fairfield University website … Protecting innocent children from cunning and manipulative child molesters is everyone's job, Dr. Reed." Paul Kendrick, Fairfield University , '72   Reed did nothing. Six months later, in April 2009, Reed was sent a copy of the warrant for Perlitz's arrest that had just been issued by a Haitian National Court judge. Again, Reed took no action. Other senior officials, including President von Arx were sent copies of all correspondence with Reed. Von Arx did nothing.   The Children Left Behind   By April 2008, the New England Society of Jesus and Fairfield University officials were distancing themselves from a situation that had all the earmarks of a "scandal." Although Perlitz wasn't fired by the Board of Directors until August 2008, Carrier had been ordered to resign from the Haiti Fund Board four months earlier. Sadly, it is evident that neither Carrier nor Jesuit and Fairfield University officials cared anything about the well being of the boys in Haiti who were abused and about to be displaced.                   Where were the prophetic voices of President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. and Jesuit Provincial, Thomas Regan, S.J., in September 2008 when Carrier and other former board members sent a letter to financial donors in which they disparaged and berated the individuals who fired Perlitz and not so subtly implied that the Haitian boys were lying?   Why weren't these Jesuit priests rushing to the aid of the remaining and beaten down Haiti Fund Board of Directors who were fighting for the school's survival against Carrier and his allies. It is incredible that three Jesuit priests, von Arx, Carrier and Regan stood on the sidelines and said nothing as the Project's donors stopped giving, the Project closed and helpless kids were forced back onto the streets with nothing to eat and no place safe to sleep.   Damn. Somewhere in our old textbooks, the Jesuits taught us that the service of our faith must include the promotion of justice.   Someone's eyes were closed   In a June 2002 address to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled "The Experience of the Victim of Sexual Abuse," Dr. Mary Gail Frawley-O'Dea, Ph.D. said in part,   "If it takes a community to raise a child, it also takes a community to abuse one so that whenever a minor is sexually violated, someone's eyes are closed. Throughout history and in every segment of society, the most common response to the suspicion or even the disclosure of childhood sexual abuse has been self-defensive denial and dissociation. No one finds it easy to stand in the overwhelming and destabilizing reality of sexual abuse. Thus, blindness, deafness, and elective mutism are responses endemic to many confronted by a victimized child, an adult survivor, or a perpetrating adult. To the extent, however, that the sexual victimization of a minor depends upon the silence of adults who knew, suspected, or should have known about the abuse, the burdens of shame and reparation reach beyond the perpetrator."   The Fairfield University community is showing great disrespect to the Haitian people   The people of Haiti possess great pride, strength and dignity. There is a kindness and compassion about them that only those who have been oppressed and those who have suffered can know.   It is inconceivable that the mighty and powerful forces of the New England Jesuits, Fairfield University (and the Order of Malta) have not provided for the most basic needs of the child sex abuse victims.    Each day that goes by and the school in Haiti remains closed is but one more day that we are showing great disrespect for the people of Haiti . As it stands now, our message to our brothers and sisters in Haiti is loud and clear: "One of us raped your children. Your children told us what happened. In response we have closed your school and abandoned you.'   "I hope God forgives me for what I have done," said a boy who was sexually abused by Perlitz.   "It wasn't your fault," we told him. _______________________________________________________________________   CONTACT INFORMATION:   Paul Kendrick, 207 838 1319 (cell) or kendrickpt@aol.com <mailto:kendrickpt@aol.com>   Paul Kellen, 781 526 5878 (cell) ____________________ "La vraie reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes en profondeur des structures de l'État pour restaurer la confiance, encourager les investisseurs et mettre le peuple au travail. Il faut finir avec cette approche d'un État paternaliste qui tout en refusant de créer le cadre approprié pour le développement des entreprises mendie des millions sur la scène internationale en exhibant la misère du peuple." Cyrus Sibert Reconstruction d'Haïti : A quand les Réformes structurelles? Haïti : La continuité du système colonial d'exploitation  prend la forme de monopole au 21e Siècle. WITHOUT REFORM, NO RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN HAITI (U.S. Senate report.)

La MINUSTAH veut d’un processus électoral pacifique.

Haïti-Elections La MINUSTAH veut d'un processus électoral pacifique. Les forces militaires et policières onusiennes sont placées en état d'alerte et déterminées à prévenir toute perturbation violente de la campagne électorale, dit un porte-parole de la UNPOL, André Leclerc ; 4.200 agents de sécurité électorale bientôt formés samedi 16 octobre 2010, Radio Kiskeya La Mission de stabilisation des Nations Unies (MINUSTAH) a annoncé samedi que toutes les dispositions sont prises en vue de conjurer partout sur le territoire national les violences qui pourraient menacer la campagne électorale, et par extension, l'ensemble du processus. Dans une interview à Radio Kiskeya, le porte-parole adjoint de la police de l'ONU (UNPOL), André Leclerc, a indiqué que les composantes militaire et policière de la mission sont placées en état d'alerte et peuvent intervenir avec célérité en cas de troubles pendant la campagne entrée dans sa deuxième phase depuis vendredi. Les troupes onusiennes seront, soutient le responsable, d'autant plus aptes à intervenir qu'elles ont été renforcées depuis le tremblement de terre de janvier et sont plus aguerries grâce aux expériences acquises lors des sénatoriales partielles de 2009 qui avaient été perturbées par de violents incidents, dans certaines régions. "Bien sûr, nous surveillons l'évolution de la campagne électorale et nous nous préparons à intervenir en conséquence, selon les besoins", précise André Leclerc qui dit constater qu'il règne pour le moment un "calme relatif". Le porte-parole adjoint de la UNPOL informe également que la Police Nationale et la force onusienne ont procédé conjointement, ces dernières semaines, à l'évaluation de la situation sécuritaire dans les zones où seront placés les quelque 10.000 bureaux de vote dans lesquels les électeurs iront accomplir leur devoir civique. D'autre part, la MINUSTAH vient de boucler ce mois-ci les séances de formation des formateurs des futurs 4.200 agents de sécurité électorale (ASE). Ces derniers seront en séminaire entre fin octobre et début novembre pour être déployés dans les bureaux de vote le 28 novembre, jour du premier tour du scrutin présidentiel et législatif. Des déclarations alarmantes d'anciens et actuels hauts responsables de l'Etat sur de présumées opérations de distribution d'armes parmi les partisans de la plateforme au pouvoir INITE, agrémentées d'informations troublantes circulant dans certains milieux, font craindre des violences en cascade qui pourraient affecter le niveau de mobilisation de l'électorat et même la légitimité d'élections souffrant déjà d'un déficit de crédibilité. spp/Radio Kiskeya ____________________ "La vraie reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes en profondeur des structures de l'État pour restaurer la confiance, encourager les investisseurs et mettre le peuple au travail. Il faut finir avec cette approche d'un État paternaliste qui tout en refusant de créer le cadre approprié pour le développement des entreprises mendie des millions sur la scène internationale en exhibant la misère du peuple." Cyrus Sibert Reconstruction d'Haïti : A quand les Réformes structurelles? Haïti : La continuité du système colonial d'exploitation  prend la forme de monopole au 21e Siècle. WITHOUT REFORM, NO RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN HAITI (U.S. Senate report.)