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Haiti : Diaspora’s week program unveiled

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht)- The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), Daniel Supplice, officially launched Monday, April 16, 2012, the week of activities to celebrate the National Day of the Diaspora.

In his welcoming remarks, the Minister Daniel Supplice, gave a brief history of migration in Haiti, “a country of immigrants in the past”. “Unfortunately, today Haiti is a country of emigration”, he added. However, reassures the sociologist, there are ways to reverse the trend. “That's why we launched this week of activities dedicated to compatriots living abroad."

Mr Supplice has also stressed that we have a diaspora scattered, diverse, plural and multiple: migrant workers, university professors, professional art... “our approach is to listen them”.

The Minister of Tourism, Stephanie B. Villedouin who attended the launching ceremony, advocates for the promotion of a better image of Haiti abroad. So she invites members of the diaspora to give the example by choosing the country as their main tourist destination.

Program from Monday 16 April to Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Monday, April 16

Official opening of the week

Place : MHAVE

9h00 - 9h30 Arrival of guests

9h30 National anthem

9h32 Opening and presentation of the Interministerial Committee

9h35 Statement of welcome of Minsiter Daniel Supplice

10h00 - 1h00 Conference-debate on Migration Participants: Dr Francis. St Hubert, Ms. Colette Lespinasse, Ms. Lucie Tondreau, Jean Osselin Lambert, CEMI-Mgr. Launay Saturne, Representative FNUAP, IOM, HACP, HAGC Moderator: Smith Bartelus, Ministry of the Interior

1h00 - 2h30 Buffet

2h30 - 3h00 Opening of the book fair on the Diaspora Coordination : MHAVE

3h00 - 5h00 Conference - debate on the theme: "The writing of the Diaspora" Participants : Gary Klang, Louis Philippe Dalembert, Josaphat Large, Rodney Saint-Eloi, Jessica Fièvre, Hervé Fanini Lemoine Modérateur: Jean Euphèle Milcé

5h00 - 7h00pm a) Presentation of Haitians films of the Diaspora Participants: Fabienne Colas, Bob Lemoine, Raynald Délerme b) Simulcast of the diaspora films on television channels in the country until Friday.

Tuesday, April 17

Place : KINAM II

9h00 - 1h00 Interventions: Perceptions and Perspectives of the host countries of the Haitian diaspora by Ambassadors accredited to Haiti.

9h00-10h30 Presentation of the debate: Serge Fernandez, Director of Cabinet

10h30 - 11h30 Group A Ambassador of the United States of America, Ambassador of France, Ambassador of Canada

Group B Ambassador of Cuba, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic

11h30 - 1h00 Group C CARICOM, European Union, UNHCR

11h00: Coffee break

11h30-1h00 :Debates

Moderator of the debate: Pierre Richard Casimir, MFA State Secretary

1h00 - 2h30 Buffet

2h30 - 5h30 Following of the book fair on the Diaspora

3h00 Special emission on Volunteering. Kalfou-Tele Ginen

Wednesday, April 18

Place : KINAM II

9h00-12h00 Exchange meeting between representatives of Haitian and foreign members of the Foreign Affairs Committees and Haitians living abroad of both Houses of Parliament. Participants: Hon Simon Desras President of the Senate, HonLouis Jeune Levaillant President of the Chamber of Deputies, members of 2 commissions, North Miami magistrate Andre Pierre, Jean Monestime Commissionner, Rodrigue Marcellus Municipal Councillor, Municipal Councillor Marie Steril Erlande, Municipal Councillor Philip Desroses, Mr. Joseph Etienne Moderator: Luc Mervil

12h00 - 1h00 Law on privileges of native-born Haitians enjoying another nationality and their descendants / Constitutional Amendments HACP HAGC - Special Guest, Lesly Voltaire, former Minister of MHAVE

1h-2h30 Buffet

2h30 - 6h00

2h30 Following of the book fair on the Diaspora

Book reviews

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