COORDINATING RECONSTRUCTION IN PORT-AU-PRINCE | HAITI

Definition co·or·di·na·tion noun \kō- ˌ o ̇ r-də- ˈ nā-shən\: the work and activity of a number of persons who individually contribute toward the efficiency of the whole. Source: Merriam Webster online Synonyms: collaboration, cooperation, teamwork Related Words: collegiality, fellowship, partnership; community, mutualism, reciprocity, symbiosis; synergism, synergy; communion, cooperativeness, kinship, oneness, solidarity, togetherness, unity TOPIC | DEFINITION

> panel presentation and peace brief by the United States Institute of Peace (Sept & April 2010) TOPIC | PROBLEM ANALYSIS

From a humanitarian perspective, coordination is “the systematic use of policy instruments to deliver assistance in a cohesive and effective manner”. It seeks to answer the question “what conditions and characteristics of organization structure and operation might lead to improved service delivery processes and outcomes in (…) relief scenarios”. Literature on civil-military coordination defines coordination as a means of “coping with dependencies”, referring to the dependencies that exist between the key stakeholders that are involved in the reconstruction process. Those can be host governments, NGO, UN, the donor community, and military actors, but should also include the beneficiaries themselves, and take into account their own coordination mechanisms. In theory, coordination would entail strategy, data & information management, resources mobilization, accountability, division of tasks, negotiation, communication and leadership. In practical terms, in the field, reconstruction coordination worries about the 3Ws “Who does What Where”, a very simple concept at first glance, yet a hard goal to reach. The UNOCHA cluster systems is the primary body for coordinating the delivery of humanitarian and early recovery assistance. It is organized by sectors (health, shelter, education, protection, etc.) and aims to reduce gaps and overlaps in reconstruction projects. However, it is essentially in the hands of the international organizations and expatriates “experts” and doesn’t always correlate with funding exercises (meaning that funds are only very partially allocated based on the clusters recommendations).

APPROACH | ACTORS

APPROACH | PROBLEM ANALYSIS 2. External “experts” 1. Top-down decision making process with limited Haitian representation and empowerment 3. Sectorial approach (modeled on international agencies specialties)

We assume that coordination is pivotal to guaranteeing success of the reconstruction process, and that the Haitian community participation in this coordination process increases efficiency and relevancy of reconstruction projects. Against this background we ask: How can communities regain control over the reconstruction process and take charge of their own future? How can this improve the success of reconstruction projects and the efficiency of aid delivery? TOPIC | GOVERNING QUESTION

> PRECEDENT #1 | NGO CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HEALTH SYSTEM STRENGTHENING (

> PRECEDENT #2 | ACKU – AFGHANISTAN CENTER AT KABUL UNIVERSITY (

> PRECEDENT #3 | HAITI GRASSROOTS WATCH (

APPROACH | USEFUL FRAMEWORKS AND KEY CONCEPTS

APPROACH | PROPOSAL AND SITE 1. Cross sectorial approach 2. Coordination by commune representatives (including representation of marginal groups and women) 3. commune-scale coordination body

APPROACH | EXPECTED OUTCOME