The New Coalition
During the last day of the Jacmel meeting participants reflected together on how we could maximize our impact through coordination and collaboration. Participants met in groups to determine a unifying mission, a structure for coordination, and a plan of action for the new coalition.
Mission: The Koalisyon Nasyonal pou Anviwonman Ayisyen or Haitian National Coalition for the Environment will work on a national, grassroots level to attack the root causes of environmental degradation by promoting exchange and solidarity to help:
• Undertake massive, intensive reforestation,
• Combat the misery of poverty, and
• Research and promote alternative energy.
Structure: The National Coalition will be coordinated by a committee consisting of representatives from each geographical department, and a national coordinator. Currently the coordinating committee includes six volunteer members and a temporary coordinator: Elizabeth Sipple (Àtibonit/Artibonite), Karen Carr (Nò/North), Pè Frantz Cole (Lwes/West), Isaac Cherestal (Sud/South), Sara Philips (Sudes/Southeast), Cantave Jean-Baptiste (Lwes ak Àtibonit/West and Artibonite) and Melinda Miles (Sudes/Southeast).
Over the next several months this committee will be working to define the coalition and its action plan, as well as to establish a more complete coordinating committee with local representatives from each department. Committee responsibilities will include:
• Outreach at a departmental level with the goal of reaching all existing environmental initiatives
• Build collaboration at a local level through meetings and exchanges
• Provide opportunities for capacity building and training for participating organizations
• Recommend material and solicit contributions for the new information-sharing website
• Participate in regular in-face meetings
• Communicate regularly with the Ministry of the Environment and local elected officials to encourage collaboration whenever possible
• Promote the National Coalition with the press and others
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