Washington College of Law, Ceremonial Classroom, Warren Building, NT01
4300 Nebraska Avenue Washington, DC 20016
Oct 28, 2024
4:30 PM - 8:00 PM (GMT-5)
Host:
Accountability Research Center
Register Here
How displaced Haitian peasants used an international accountability mechanism to fight for remedy.
About this Event
In January 2011, over 400 families in Northern Haiti were displaced from their farmland to make way for the Caracol Industrial Park. Against all odds, and after years of effort, they succeeded in negotiating an agreement through the Inter-American Development Bank that promised to restore their livelihoods. But the signing of the agreement was only the beginning of another struggle for implementation. Though many families have received their promised benefits, including replacement land, challenges remain.
As implementation of the agreement draws to a close, join us for a panel discussion and reception reflecting on this remarkable case and the lessons it holds for accountability advocates and development actors worldwide.
On two panels, a diverse range of speakers will share insights on the Haitian grassroots organizing at the heart of the case, the advantages and challenges of pursuing dispute resolution at international financial institutions, and the experience of implementing a remedy agreement in a country context of fragility and violence.
A reception following (7-8pm) will offer an opportunity for further conversation over refreshments.
Panel Moderators:
Scott Freeman, American University
Megan Pearson, Accountability Counsel
Welcoming remarks:
David Hunter, American University, Washington College of Law
Panelists
4:45pm Panel #1: The Caracol Project and Displacement in the Context of Haiti
Jake Johnston, Center for Economic and Policy Research
Koldo Echebarria, Center for Global Development, Former Country Director IDB Haiti
Castin Milostène, AREDE Haiti
Megumi Tsustui, Accountability Counsel
Break with refreshments
6:00pm Panel #2: The IDB Complaint Process, Outcomes, and Lessons
María Camila Barriga, Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism, IDB
Megumi Tsutsui, Accountability Counsel
[IDB representative tbd]
Castin Milostène, AREDE Haiti
7:00 pm Reception
