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Diplomatic Fortnight: CEPOD’s plea for effective Haitian diplomacyHaiti
Diplomatic Fortnight: CEPOD’s plea for effective Haitian diplomacy
Haiti
  • October 31, 2024
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Diplomatic Fortnight: CEPOD’s plea for effective Haitian diplomacy

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Center for Political and Diplomatic Studies, CEPOD, launched its Diplomatic Fortnight via a summit that took place at the Montana Hotel in Pétionville. The event took place under the theme of Haiti’s place in globalization, and in the presence of an audience of distinguished guests. consisting of public authorities such as the current Haitian Prime Minister, Dr. Garry Conille (Honorary President of the summit); his Minister Delegate for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Herwil Gaspard; Foreign diplomats, among whom we can cite the Canadian Ambassador, Mr. André François Giroux (Guest of Honor of the summit); Dr. Christian Mouala, Country Director of UNAIDS Haiti, and a group of other public figures (such as sociologist Daniel Supplice), members of the press, such as senior journalist, Rotchild François Junior and students of all kinds.

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Interventions

The summit began with the intervention of the President of CEPOD, Mr. Jean Jul Desauguste, who had to mention the context surrounding the initiative, and took the opportunity to touch on the schedule of the fortnight, which according to him will be very busy in terms of diplomatic achievements. The members of CEPOD will even have to make trips abroad in favor of Haitian diplomacy during this intense diplomatic period, he had declared.

In addition, the interventions within the summit were subdivided into three main lines, each having a well-specified term that served as a framework for the interventions of each of the speakers.

Diplomacy and economic governance; Diplomacy and political education; Diplomacy, humanitarian and migratory crisis were addressed respectively by all the speakers.

Haitian Prime Minister Dr. Garry Conille, in his speech, insisted that the country should not stop living because of the security crisis affecting its capital and part of the Artibonite department. The fight against the sick parts of the country will also involve the development of areas of the country spared by the bad pathology, according to him. In this regard, he took the example of Jamaica in the 70s, whose capital found itself in a similar position to ours, and which had used a similar strategy that bore fruit. He declared that he had engaged his government in such an approach, in parallel with the fight for the recovery of the part of the country occupied by armed groups. In this sense, he is pleased with the resumption of cruise ship traffic in the north of the country. He also mentioned the need for a country like Haiti, largely exposed to climate change, to have a diplomacy with an enlightened, learned vision of what the country needs for its development, accompanied by a well-defined and ambitious program to present to its international partners. And also the need for Haïti to have alliances with countries that have similar difficulties to its own. He cited Rwanda under the leadership of Paul Kagame as an example, where he had to work for a while for the UN, in the early 2000s, and which less than 25 years later, had managed to transform itself into an emerging country and a key player in its region by using a similar approach. "The Haitian case is a case that must be opened to other partners who are looking for other areas to invest in," he concluded. It is in this sense that he registered his last trip to one of the countries of the Arabian Gulf. The Canadian ambassador, Mr. André François Giroux, for his part, was keen to emphasize the importance of Haiti, which is located close to the largest stock markets in the world, and whose revolution leading to its independence inspired the standards of universal freedom in force within the international community, in the eyes of his country. Furthermore, he recalled that Haïti is his country’s leading partner in terms of per capita investment. The annual support of one hundred million Canadian dollars to the Haitian police, the financing in large part of the security support mission led by Kenya, which is being deployed against armed groups in Haiti, of which his country is the leading financial contributor, Canada’s investment in the fight against corruption (the only reason, according to him, capable of explaining Haiti’s underdevelopment) characterized by the establishment of a sanction mechanism against a part of the Haitian elite, involved in proven corrupt practices, among other things constituted the bulk of the diplomat’s speech.

The former ambassador of Haïti to the Dominican Republic, historian and sociologist Daniel Supplice, focused his speech on the current migration situation that pits the Dominican authorities against Haitian migrants. He especially recalled that Haïti has not always been a country of immigration. He stressed that the current Haitian diplomatic authorities must use the diplomatic instruments at their disposal to demand respect for the fundamental rights of Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic. He also mentioned the importance for the internal Haitian authorities to set up a system to identify people expelled by the Dominican Republic, who unfortunately are sometimes citizens of other nations, but sent to Haïti just because they have black skin. The bestial attitude of some Dominican immigration agents towards children must be rigorously denounced. He took the time to conclude his speech by emphasizing the need for the Haitian authorities, and Haitian society as a whole, to work to make the country more livable. Because if people leave, it is because they are fleeing a deep malaise.

The Summit’s Stakes

The Summit’s Stakes

The summit took place at a crucial time for the country, a time when the very existence of the Haitian nation is under very strong threats in its deepest confines.

The threats are both internal and external. The internal ones are characterized by the permanent pressure exerted by armed groups on the Haitian people and its state institutions. And externally, the threats are symbolized firstly by the aggressive behavior (symbol of a continual hostility) of the Dominican Republic towards Haiti, which in recent times, is particularly materialized by the massive expulsion, sometimes illegal, but above all in a totally inhumane manner of tens of thousands of Haitian refugees (outside the basic standards of fundamental human rights) who are fleeing the violence of Haitian armed groups, all via a racist policy, targeting all people with black complexions.

External threats also characterized by the invisibility of the Haitian crisis on a global scale, due to a context of constant unrest, within the international community. The Haitian crisis, appearing in the eyes of some, to be of lesser importance, is shamefully neglected in the background despite its considerable number of victims, to the detriment of other crises described as more major, such as the semi-open conflict of influence, between the emerging powers united under the acronym of BRICS and Allies, with the great industrialized powers of the world. The Haitian crisis is also made invisible by the Israeli-Palestinian-Lebanese war, that in Sudan, that in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the conflicts listed within the Sahelian states, and most certainly that which opposes Russia to the Ukrainian army.

The importance of diplomacy

The importance of diplomacy

In such a context, the Haitian diplomatic channel cannot be useful by remaining confined to fruitless silence. In these difficult times when the future of the land of Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines and his sons is compromised, Haitian diplomacy has a duty to move, rearm and get in tune with the aim of ensuring a real revitalization of its branches, in order to be able to constitute a strong, effective representation of the Haitian voice in the midst of this great alarming hubbub, which represents the undermined globalization of recent times. Haitian diplomacy must absolutely live up to its extremely important mission and the challenges of the hour

This element among others make up the stakes surrounding this summit. An event that has its place in the Haitian diplomatic landscape, particularly at a time when Haitian diplomacy has no right to sleep, and its place has clearly increased, to the point of becoming a major player in the survival of the Haitian people. This people has been constantly struggling since gaining its independence on January 1, 1804.

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Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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Holidays in Haiti

Haiti, the pearl of the Antilles, is a country rich in history and culture. Its public holidays are moments of celebration, commemoration and reflection on its glorious past. Each date has a special meaning, plunging Haitians into a festive and memorable atmosphere. b~January 1: National Independence Day and New Year~b January 1st is a doubly special day in Haiti. On the one hand, it is National Independence Day, commemorating the victory of Haitian slaves over French colonial forces in 1804. On the other hand, it is New Year’s Eve, marking the start of a new year full of promises and hopes. b~January 2: Feast of the Forefathers~b January 2 is dedicated to the memory of ancestors. It is an opportunity for Haitians to remember their roots, to celebrate the cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation. b~February: Carnival, Shrove Monday, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday~b The month of February is marked by Carnival, one of the most colorful and dynamic festivities in Haiti. The streets fill with parades, lively music and wild dancing. Mardi Gras is the culmination of Carnival, followed by Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent. b~April: Easter, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday~b Easter celebrations in Haïti include the religious traditions of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is a time of prayer and reflection for many Haitians. b~May 1: Agriculture and Labor Day~b May 1 is dedicated to celebrating the work and importance of agriculture in the life of the country. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of workers and to highlight the agricultural sector. b~May 18: Flag Festival~b Flag Day celebrates the Haitian flag, a symbol of independence and national pride. Haitians honor their colors and remember the courage of their ancestors in the fight for freedom. b~May 23: National Sovereignty Day~b This day commemorates the recognition of Haitian sovereignty by France in 1805. It is a moment of national pride and reaffirmation of independence. b~May - August: Ascension~b The Ascension is celebrated between May and August, a religious festival marking the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. b~June: Fête-Dieu~b Fête-Dieu, also known as the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, is an important religious celebration in June. b~August 15: Assumption of Mary~b The Assumption of Mary is a Christian holiday marking the ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven. It is celebrated with fervor in Haiti. b~September 20: Birth Anniversary of Jean-Jacques Dessalines~b This date commemorates the birth of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, one of the founding fathers of Haïti and a key leader in the struggle for independence. b~October 17: Death of Dessalines~b October 17 is a day of commemoration of the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, recalling his impact on Haitian history. b~November 1: All Saints’ Day~b All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday honoring all saints, celebrated with prayers and visits to cemeteries. b~November 2: Day of the Dead~b All Souls’ Day is an opportunity to pay homage to the deceased by decorating graves and participating in religious ceremonies. b~November 18: Commemoration of the Battle of Vertières~b This day honors the decisive Haitian victory at the Battle of Vertières in 1803, marking the end of the French occupation. b~December 5: Discovery Day~b December 5 celebrates the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492. b~December 25: Christmas~b Christmas celebrations in Haïti are marked by family reunions, festive meals and religious traditions. Public holidays in Haïti are much more than breaks from everyday life; these are moments that embody the soul and resilience of a people. Each celebration provides an opportunity to come together, remember the past and look to the future with hope and determination.

History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.