Political parties and civil society in Haiti meet in Norway in August

Norway is facilitating a new meeting in the process of national dialogue on peaceful development and democratic governance in Haiti. The meeting is to be held in Norway on 23-30 August, and will be attended by key representatives of the Haitian political parties and civil society.

The meeting will focus on the preparations for the elections planned for 2005, with an emphasis on the role of the political parties. Among the topics for discussion will be parliamentarianism, political co-operation across party lines, developing party programmes, elections and women’s participation. The Haiti delegation will also meet Norwegian politicians from several parties, and a meeting will be arranged with State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen.

The meeting is a follow-up to a seminar on the election process held in Haiti on 24-26 June, which was also attended by key international players.