On March 9 and 10 2010, representatives from international organisations, aid agencies, NGOs, the US Government and the private sector gathered at the Haiti: Resources for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance Summit in Miami, Florida. Participants exchanged ideas and discussed prospects for Haiti’s reconstruction and development in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of January 2010.

The Summit proceedings opened with an address from Global Investment Summits, welcoming guests. Dorrin D. Rolle, the Commissioner of Miami-Dade County’s 2nd District proceeded to deliver a spirited welcome to Miami-Dade County, home to one of the United States’ largest Haitian communities.

The opening Panel on ‘Construction, Reconstruction and Infrastructure Development’ commenced with a presentation by Monte Achenbach of the American Refugee Committee International, on ‘Community-Driven Camp Management and Foundations for Transitional and Long-term Shelter in Haiti’. Suzanne Etcheverry of the US Government’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) followed, speaking on ‘OPIC Political Risk Insurance and Financing for US Companies’ involved in Haiti’s reconstruction. The first panel concluded with a talk on ‘Rebuilding Housing and Communities after Disasters’ by Priscilla Phelps of TCG International.

Speakers proceeded to address the topics of ‘Shelter, Settlements and Resettlement’ on the day’s second Panel. World Vision International representative Ian Ridley delivered the first presentation, entitled ‘Reconstruction: More than Bricks and Mortar.’ David Satterthwaite of OXFAM America, speaking on the topic of ‘Supporting Rights in Disasters,’ followed. Andrew Kerr of Hands on Disaster Response (HODR) provided the final topic for the panel, addressing HODR’s role in Haiti reconstruction.

The ‘Economic Recovery and Reconstruction’ Panel concluded the proceedings of the first day, with Frantz Toussaint from the Institute d’Études Politiques de Paris, also a Consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank, speaking on the prospects of Haiti’s ‘Economic Recovery and Reconstruction’. Regine Barjon of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce followed on the topic of ‘Haiti’s Economic Renewal’, with a special focus on ‘Food and Renewable Energy Potential’. John Mercier of Fonkoze and Hassan Christian, an expert from the Office of Congressman Kendrick Meek, 17th District of Florida, followed with the topics of ‘Building the Economic Foundations for Democracy’ and the ‘Future of Economic Reconstruction’ in Haiti, respectively. The panel was concluded by the Public-Private Alliance Foundation’s (PPAF) David Stillman, discussing the PPAF’s role and Haiti reconstruction.

A full list of downloadable presentations in PDF format given during Day 1 of the summit can be found below:

The ‘Logistics and Transport’ Panel opened the second day of the event, with a presentation on ‘Emergency Response in Haiti WFP Logistics’ by Carlos Melendez of the World Food Programme. Dr. Teo Babun of the Americas Humanitarian Logistics Relief Team followed on the topic of the topic of ‘Logistics in Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction – Understudies, Underappreciated and Under-planned’. Igor Samac, of International Relief and Development, delivered a presentation on the IRD’s role in Haiti, entitled ‘Starting from Zero on Ground Zero.’ The Panel concluded with Steve Scranton of World Vision US addressing the topic of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ in Haiti.

The ‘Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Sanitation’ Panel began with presentations on ‘Health in Haiti: Present and Future’’ by Rabih Torbay of the International Medical Corps. Yvette Gonzalez of International Relief and Development followed with a presentation on ‘Emergency Sanitation’ in Leogane, and Steve Hansch of Relief International concluded on the topic of ‘Partnerships in Health, Water and Nutrition’.

The final Panel of the event explored ‘Co-operation in Security and Stability’ and began with a presentation by LTC Micheal Hendrigan and Stuart Kefford of NATO’s Civil Military Fusion Centre. Maureen Taft-Morales of the Congressional Research Service and Merrie Archer of the US Department of State concluded with presentations on ‘Cooperation in Security and Stability: S/CRS Support of USG Efforts in Haiti’ and ‘Conditions in Haiti and Concerns of Long-Term Reconstruction,’ respectively.

The event ended with a concluding address from Doug Brooks, President of the IPOA.

Global Investment Summits utilises a unique event model, whereby in addition to the key content provided by its speakers, the summit also provides the opportunity for delegates to meet with key decision makers face-to-face in a structured format. Following the morning addresses, the summit hall was converted in to a series of 22 roundtables, from which the various participating agencies partook in pre-scheduled 20 minute meetings.

These meetings provide a platform on which the objectives of the summit can be met.

A full list of downloadable presentations in PDF format given during Day 2 of the summit can be found below:

"We at IPOA were delighted with the results of our partnership with Global Investment Summits on the Haiti Reconstruction Summit. Despite a remarkably short preparation time of just a few weeks, the event rapidly moved from concept to concrete and was perfectly timed to prepare attendees for the subsequent UN conference. The event was the first conference to focus on post-earthquake Haiti’s needs and requirements for the future and brought together leaders from international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, civil society and industry. Global Investment Summit’s unique model ensures effective networking and stimulates real business and partnership opportunities."
Doug Brooks, President of the IPOA, the Association of the Stability Operations Industry

"As a sponsor of the Global Investments Summit on Reconstruction in Haiti, I found the whole event very well organised given the rapidity of the organisation. The summit was able to bring together key players that are going to be vital in the recovery and reconstruction efforts going on in the country. The summit put people in touch with others to share plans and formulate plans to move the different areas forward. Huge credit to Global Investment Summits for organising such a highly worthwhile event."
Jon Tipper, Operations Director, Reconnaissance Group

"I would like to thank the Global Investment Summits and the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA), as well as your sponsor Haiti House, for organizing the HAITI – Resources for Reconstruction & Humanitarian Assistance Summit, held in Miami. I found the meeting to be very valuable. It enabled the Public-Private Alliance Foundation both to explore issues and to make potential contacts for public-private partnerships, notably regarding housing, cookstoves and Haitian entrepreneurship."
David Stillman, PhD, Executive Director, Public Private Alliance Foundation

"The Haiti Reconstruction Summit in Miami took three weeks from concept to completion. For a team to execute such an event in this short time is an exceptional achievement. The summit provided unprecedented access to Governmental, NGO, and private sector personal. The relationships we developed during the conference and information we received will serve our business well, we believe Global Investment Summits are the leader at organizing such a powerful events."
Julian Dann, Director of Sales, Trimble Navigation Limited

"This is the first Summit organised by Global Investment Summits that I had attended and I was extremely impressed with the amount of new contacts you introduced me to, which benefited my company immensely."
Eric Buggy, General Manager, Peters & May Inc

"The Haiti Relief Summit, orchestrated by GIS, was an exceptionally high value and top quality forum that quickly brought together the full spectrum of key organizations, recognizing the time-critical nature of the emergency in Haiti."
Frank Swit, Senior Project Manager, Gannett Fleming, Inc

"I would like to personally thank all involved with the organization of the Haiti Summit in Miami. GIS and IPOA provided a sound platform for collaboration to help solve some of the the most pressing issues involving the crisis in Haiti. Personally, I would like to thank the GIS staff for their extraordinary effort in facilitating the all important last minute details that often go unnoticed. Well done and we look forward to supporting events like this in future."
Ryan Hudock, President and CEO, Worldwide Shelters

"Project Gaia, Inc. the ethanol biofuel stove program, found the Haiti Summit very helpful. The participants were varied and all of importance for us to meet, and the summit organization and format was good—straight-forward and efficient for getting information out and sharing ideas and contacts. We were glad that we attended.
We would also compliment Global Investment Summits on the attendees. Many pertinent businesses and agencies were in attendance who were helpful for us to meet."
Harry Stokes, Executive Director, Project Gaia, Inc

"Thank you so much for an absolutely fantastic summit. The program was a masterpiece mosaic of topics that painted the landscape of need and response perfectly. As a professional speaker for nearly a quarter century, I have had the opportunity to participate in many such events, but seldom have I or my partner enjoyed a program so expertly constructed and professionally presented."
Maurice A. Ramirez, DO, PhD, Founder/CEO, High Alert International