Transportation and communication are vital for a nation’s success
On Nov. 29, Net Impact Guelph, in partnership with the School of Environmental Design and Urban Development, hosted a guest lecture by Marcel Savard, former director for peacekeeping missions by the United Nations (UN) in Rwanda, Tajikistan, and the Congo.
Savard spoke at length about the connections between environmental sustainability and the need to rebuild nations in a sustainable manner.
Savard’s own career began, and concluded, in Lebanon working as a peacekeeper. He began his talk by explaining how peacekeeping efforts are carried out in countries that are most in need of the UN’s efforts. He explained how, before any peacekeeping work can begin, the proposal for aid must be approved by both the member states of the United Nations, as well as the governing body of the country receiving aid.
“Whether it is an elected government or a dictator in power, they must approve the UN’s involvement,” said Savard.
After exploring the lengthy approval process, Savard discussed the various stages in establishing a sustainable structure while aiding in the reconstruction of nations. Transportation of both people and goods is one of the most important infrastructural elements in reconstructing a sustainable society. Savard displayed an old derelict, worn out and rusted, being pulled by two horses in Rwanda calling it “transportation at its best” in war torn societies. Without proper transportation for goods and people, according to Savard, establishing a working economy becomes a difficult goal to accomplish.
Savard then went on to discuss the importance of communication in constructing a peaceful and sustainable society. He recounted his experiences in working to create a method of communication in the Congo during the Congolese Civil Wars. As the second largest country in Africa, Savard stressed the importance of having reliable communication between different communities. The first step that Savard and the rest of the UN peacekeepers took was to construct a dependable roadway in the Congo. Savard then discussed the importance of cleaning up the Congo river so that trade and shipping could resume in the country.
“They were not living exactly, but existing in their individual quarter,” said Savard in regards to life in the Congo without proper communication between the different communities across the country.
While a Canadian citizen, Savard emphasized that UN peacekeepers were not responsible to their own individual governments, but to the UN as an organization. However, he did express that he wished for more involvement from Canada in future peacekeeping efforts across the globe.
Savard concluded his lecture by highlighting the importance of implementing sustainable infrastructure while rebuilding nations: “Improvements to infrastructure are long term and necessary for the success of any country.”
Savard has since retired from working with the UN and explained that, while he still tries to keep up on current affairs, he has closed that chapter of his life.
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman.