Dear Delegates,
Every day in Haiti is a fight for survival. As of 2025, more than half of its population suffers from catastrophic food insecurity, with the World Food Programme classifying it as the “worst hunger emergency in the Western hemisphere”. 1 With over 90% of the nation’s capital being under the control of various gangs and armed violence expanding at an alarming rate, it is no longer possible to dismiss the urgency of the situation.
But it is difficult to argue that Haiti’s problems are uniquely a result of poor governance. The Haitian Revolution in 1804 marked a break in the status quo, as it was the first state established by a successful slave uprising. Global players, whose power rested on extractive colonialism, saw it as a threat, leading to extensive political and economic punishment after its independence. The presence and influence of foreign actors have repeatedly hindered the island republic from rising out of its impoverished state. But unlike many other former colonies, it has enjoyed relative freedom for nearly a century, which begs the question: are Haiti’s problems primarily the effect of its colonial history or rather the failures of poor governance?
Within the frame of the BERMUN2 conference theme “Decolonize.”, the Security Council will explore how colonialism has impacted Haiti in the past, whether and to what extent foreign influence hinders its development today, and what must be done to ensure a fair, stable, and prosperous future for the country.
On a more personal note, I am a junior at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin. My passions include the violin, which I have been playing since the age of 6, playing lacrosse, and spending time in the great outdoors. I have been part of the BERMUN program for three years, making this conference my 10th overall and my sixth as a chair. I look forward to meeting you all and seeing the equitable solutions we come up with.
See you in February!
Sincerely,
Keyo Casper
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1 https://www.wfp.org/news/hunger-haiti-reaches-historic-high-one-two-haitians-now-acute-hunger
