As part of its Conferencias Caribeñas 9 lecture series for the 2011-2012 academic year, the Institute of Caribbean Studies of the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras (UPR-RP), invites the academic community and the general public to the lecture “Haití bajo Martelly: ¿Estado frágil o fallido?”[Haiti under Martelly: Fragile or Failed State?] by Dr. Jorge Heine (Distinguished Researcher, Centre for International Governance Innovation, Canada). Dr. Paul Latortue, Dean of the School of Business Administration, UPR-Río Piedras, will serve as commentator. The activity will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2011, from 1:00 to 3:00pm in Amphitheatre CRA 108 (Carmen Rivera de Alvarado Building), School of Social Sciences, Puerto Rico-Río Piedras.

Description: The recent inauguration of President Michel Martelly has opened a new phase for Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas. The greatest virtue of the previous government, under René Préval (2006-2011) was to have provided a minimum of political stability. However, “Stability is not enough.” Based on his most recent book—Fixing Haiti: MINUSTAH and Beyond—Dr. Heine will discuss the challenges that the Haitian faces in this long period of reconstruction.

Jorge Heine is distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI); CIGI Chair in Global Governance, Balsillie School of International Affairs; and professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University. He is the former Ambassador of Chile to India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Among the many books he has authored and co-authored are: The Dark Side of Globalization (with Ramesh Thakur, United Nations University Press, 2010); Which Way Latin America? Hemispheric Politics Meets Globalization (with Andrew F. Cooper, United Nations University Press, 2009); The Last Cacique: Leadership and Politics in a Puerto Rican City (Pittsburgh University Press, 1993; Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Book 1994); and A Revolution Aborted: The Lessons of Grenada (Pittsburgh University Press, 1990, 1991) among others.

This activity will be broadcast LIVE online via http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cc71. Comments and suggestions on this presentation will be very welcome at iec@uprrp.edu.

For further information, you may call Dr. Humberto García Muñiz, Director, at (787) 764-0000, extension 4212, or write to iec@uprrp.edu