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May 5, 2010
by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean
As I get ready to travel to Haiti on March 8 and 9, I recognize that this visit is more than just a return to my devastated native country. I will remain on the island to also visit the Dominican Republic on March 10, as it made considerable efforts during the worst of the disaster and is still making efforts today.
I feel as though I am being supported by the enormous wave of sympathy and solidarity being shown by thousands of Canadians from all walks of life, by the immediate mobilization of teams put together by governments and non-governmental organizations, by the incredible efficiency of our soldiers who were deployed there on an emergency basis. When I was in Vancouver, experiencing the passion of the Olympic Games, so many people came up to me to tell me about their initiatives and to give their best wishes for Haiti. Like so many other municipalities across Canada, the City of Vancouver—as well as the International Olympic Committee and the Vancouver Olympic Committee—generously contributed to the assistance campaign. I will tell all this to the people of Haiti so they know they are not alone.
I am expecting to see the worst when I get there. However, I feel I must go to meet those who are working so hard to rebuild Haiti. I will arrive in time to celebrate International Women’s Day. This is not without reason, as the women of Haiti are known for their character, their determination, their courage and their strength. In a country facing so many challenges, the women’s movement plays a central role and is remarkably reliable and organized. It is not surprising that the United Nations World Food Programme turned to these organizations to distribute provisions on the ground. On behalf of Canada, I would like to be by their sides, as several of their leaders perished in the rubble. Among them, friends, women who established important ties with Canadian associations that defend rights, fight for justice and equality, and develop cooperation and human development programs in which women play essential roles. Without the women of Haiti and without their perspectives and assistance, reconstruction would not be possible. They must be honoured and their efforts must be supported. They need to be heard and their voices must resonate across borders.
In addition to my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, I will also be supported and accompanied by three delegates: the Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay, who made his city and Port-au-Prince twin cities, mobilized the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and is vice-president of the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones; the vice-rector of International Relations at the Université de Montréal, Mireille Mathieu, who is also responsible for development of the AUF (Agence universitaire de la francophonie); and the director of the Observatoire sur le développement régional et l'analyse différenciée selon les sexes (ORÉGAND), Denyse Côté, who is also a researcher in the department of social work and social sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. All have long-standing ties, great willingness and undeniable expertise in terms of the partners needed to support Haiti.
We will work together to observe the organization and impact of the help given over the past few weeks, and we will take part in meetings with civil society to discuss what is needed to reinstate education, governance and health infrastructures and to revive the economy.
From Port-au-Prince to Léogâne and Jacmel, and throughout this entire trip, it will be important to observe, listen to, recognize and encourage the people who continue to fight for their lives and reclaim their rights.
I feel as though I am being supported by the enormous wave of sympathy and solidarity being shown by thousands of Canadians from all walks of life, by the immediate mobilization of teams put together by governments and non-governmental organizations, by the incredible efficiency of our soldiers who were deployed there on an emergency basis. When I was in Vancouver, experiencing the passion of the Olympic Games, so many people came up to me to tell me about their initiatives and to give their best wishes for Haiti. Like so many other municipalities across Canada, the City of Vancouver—as well as the International Olympic Committee and the Vancouver Olympic Committee—generously contributed to the assistance campaign. I will tell all this to the people of Haiti so they know they are not alone.
I am expecting to see the worst when I get there. However, I feel I must go to meet those who are working so hard to rebuild Haiti. I will arrive in time to celebrate International Women’s Day. This is not without reason, as the women of Haiti are known for their character, their determination, their courage and their strength. In a country facing so many challenges, the women’s movement plays a central role and is remarkably reliable and organized. It is not surprising that the United Nations World Food Programme turned to these organizations to distribute provisions on the ground. On behalf of Canada, I would like to be by their sides, as several of their leaders perished in the rubble. Among them, friends, women who established important ties with Canadian associations that defend rights, fight for justice and equality, and develop cooperation and human development programs in which women play essential roles. Without the women of Haiti and without their perspectives and assistance, reconstruction would not be possible. They must be honoured and their efforts must be supported. They need to be heard and their voices must resonate across borders.
In addition to my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, I will also be supported and accompanied by three delegates: the Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay, who made his city and Port-au-Prince twin cities, mobilized the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and is vice-president of the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones; the vice-rector of International Relations at the Université de Montréal, Mireille Mathieu, who is also responsible for development of the AUF (Agence universitaire de la francophonie); and the director of the Observatoire sur le développement régional et l'analyse différenciée selon les sexes (ORÉGAND), Denyse Côté, who is also a researcher in the department of social work and social sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. All have long-standing ties, great willingness and undeniable expertise in terms of the partners needed to support Haiti.
We will work together to observe the organization and impact of the help given over the past few weeks, and we will take part in meetings with civil society to discuss what is needed to reinstate education, governance and health infrastructures and to revive the economy.
From Port-au-Prince to Léogâne and Jacmel, and throughout this entire trip, it will be important to observe, listen to, recognize and encourage the people who continue to fight for their lives and reclaim their rights.