The international community is perpetuating the prevailing culture of dependence in Haiti by not delivering on its commitments to the country’s reconstruction on time, two children’s rights activists argue.
“This is why the international community must deliver on its commitments,” Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger write in an opinion piece published by the Star. “That way, whoever becomes president can stop acting as a collection agent and start helping Haiti help itself.”
The Kielburgers’ comment comes on the heels of musician Wyclef Jean’s announcement that he is running for Haitian president. Jean may have a chance, they say, because Haitians appear to be looking for a superhero. His celebrity status may also sway donors to deliver on their aid commitments, which would be among the next president’s main tasks, they add.
“No matter who wins the election, Haiti’s president will be forced to play the role of part-time debt collector,” the two argue. “But it’s astonishing that solicitation has become a prime qualification. It’s even stranger that people the world over want to award leadership to an inexperienced entertainer who spent most of his life living in the United States.”
They add: “The international community can deliver its aid commitments without Jean’s solicitation. Haiti can rebuild without ceding power.”
