About the Summit

Manaus, Brazil

THE HAITIAN DIASPORA: AWAKENING THE SLEEPING GIANT

The Haitian people, both within their own territory and beyond their borders, are characterized by exceptional resilience and determination. Today, nearly a third of the Haitian population lives abroad, in a vast diaspora that stretches from the Americas to Europe, from Africa to Asia. This diaspora plays a fundamental role in supporting Haiti's economy, socially, and culturally, while also contributing to the vitality of host countries. Yet, despite its immense potential and significant contributions to Haiti and host countries, this diaspora faces several challenges and shortcomings that limit its collective impact. It is in this context that the idea of ​​organizing the Haitian Diaspora Leadership Summit emerged, which will bring together leaders from various sectors of Haitian national life, including entrepreneurs, academics, artists, historians, religious representatives, professionals, and technicians, as well as committed young people, all sharing a common vision: a united, inclusive, representative, and organized diaspora capable of contributing significantly to Haiti's development at the social, economic, and political levels. This ambitious project aims to create a formal international structure capable of representing, coordinating, strengthening, and amplifying the voice and action of the Haitian diaspora, both in Haiti and abroad.

THE FACTS

• Growing number of Haitians living abroad
• Need for a unified and representative voice
• Lack of legal recognition for political influence and representation
• Significant economic contributions
• Potential for investment
• Need to reinforce the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE)
• Limited transfer of skills and expertise
• Multiple areas of expertise and professional skills
• Limited political influence and representation
• Absence of civil and political rights
• Severity of major challenges facing Haiti
• Lack of coordination in development efforts
• Fragmentation of development initiatives
• Preservation of Haitian cultural identity

These facts justify the need to create a formal international structure capable of structuring the Haitian diaspora efforts through a shared vision for more effective and sustainable engagement in the country's economic, social, political, and cultural spheres.

GOALS

The purpose of the convention is to bring together leaders from various sectors around a common vision to establish an official international structure capable of representing the interests of the Haitian diaspora. The leaders present will be responsible for:

1. Drafting the vision, mission, and objectives (short and long term) of this new global entity;
2. Choosing the initial organizational structure and governance model;
3. Defining core and functional values ​​for sustainable success;
4. Establishing advisory committees (geographic regions and areas of training);
5. Identifying potential funding sources.

To make this project a reality, it will be essential to collaborate with government representatives to obtain official recognition and ensure that the organization's initiatives align with national interests.

OBJECTIVES

Short-term:

• Bring together leaders from different regions and organizations.
• Establish a permanent representational structure.

Long-term:

• Establish official communication channels with the Haitian government.
• Strengthen diaspora engagement in national affairs.
• Participate in major national decisions.
• Develop a communication strategy to inform, mobilize, and connect the diaspora.
• Create a unified voice to speak on behalf of the diaspora.
• Form regional advisory committees.
• Provide a platform for the diaspora to contribute to Haiti's development.