The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad is now an official convener and partner in the planning and execution of the Global Haitian Diaspora Congress scheduled for October 18- 20, 2012. The Congress will offer an opportunity for Haitians living abroad to discuss and reflect on what has been achieved the work ahead. The ministry will take a key role in unifying the diaspora to face the challenges faced by Haitians in Haiti and abroad. "MHAVE is getting involved to facilitate a larger participation to Haitian Diaspora Federation, promote inclusion and collaboration mechanisms for the Diaspora," affirmed Minister Daniel Supplice.

Themed “Unity for Results In and Out of Haiti ", the Congress follows up on the 2008 and 2009 Haitian Diaspora Unity Congresses and the more recent post-earthquake outreach efforts such as the March 2010 OAS-sponsored Haitian Diaspora forum and a series of HDF Town Hall Meetings conducted in US states with a large Haitian-American population, including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois.

The lesson learned is the Haitian Diaspora is determined to meaningfully involve in the reconstruction and sustainable development of Haiti, and to engage in the affairs of their countries of adoption. The purpose of the 2012 Congress is to attract and gather approximately four hundred Haitian Diaspora leaders and Haitian Diaspora organization representatives from around the world to :

a) review and critique the status of efforts since 2009 (Diaspora strengths, weaknesses, needs and trends)

b) explore and agree on ways to further focus the participants’ considerable resources, intellectual, financial, and coordinated action, into the reconstruction of Haiti as well their own development as a community in the adopted countries.

"This congress will offer an opportunity for HDF to reorganize the different committees and be results focus for the years to come" stated Dr. Baptiste, HDF’s Board President.

"The Congress is an opportunity for the diaspora to set aside its differences and unite in order to tackle the problems of our communities and of Haiti" stated the Minister Supplice. The MHAVE intends to play a mediating role in getting all the key actors to the table to find the points of convergence to help the diaspora move forward.

For further information www.hduc.net

HL/ HaitiLibre