The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) to Host 3rd Annual Conference on Haiti Diaspora Engagement at Harvard University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NAAHP Communications Group
Phone: 877-627-6247
Email: Info@naahpusa.org

The NAAHP will host the 3rd Annual Conference on November 14 & 15, 2014 in partnership with the JDT Foundation, GRAHN, Embassy of Haiti and Harvard Haitian Alliance

The NAAHP will be hosting the 3rd annual conference on Haiti Diaspora Engagement & Innovation themed, “Haiti Beyond Haiti – Policies and Pathways to Effective Diaspora Engagement” on November 14 & 15 on the prestigious campus of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.

Organized in conjunction with long-term conference partner the Joseph Denis Thomas (JDT) Foundation, this year’s conference also includes new event partnerships with the: Embassy of Haiti (Washington, DC), Harvard Haitian Alliance (HHA), GRAHN-Monde and media partner Haiti Business Week (HBW).

The annual conference, now in its third year, is dedicated to bringing together Haitian professionals from across the nation to discuss topics and issues which impact the Haitian professional communities in the U.S, Haiti, and beyond. More specifically the two-day conference, which gathers expert speakers from their respective fields both in the U.S., Haiti and other countries will address subject matter significantly impacting Haitian communities today.

This year’s conference will focus specifically on policies and pathways to effective diaspora engagement and will seek to unpack the diversified issues of Haiti and its diversified Diaspora. An inclusive and participatory format will analyze intersecting economic, political and social development. The conference will examine whether interaction between Haiti and her Diaspora can be enhanced by exploring sustainable models and mechanisms of engagement.

“American Chamber of Commerce Haiti (AMCHAM) organized the 1st Haitian American business forum in May, and the Haitian private business sector communicated their interest to engage the Haitian diaspora in sustainable economic growth in Haiti through productive investments and trade” shared Serge Renaud, Chairperson of the Board, NAAHP. Renaud continued, “in light of the learning’s from the forum, the NAAHP feels that now is the time for the Diaspora to develop the right policies and pathways for effective engagement in Haiti, and we believe the conference will open the pathways to engage these two groups.”

This year’s conference will take place on the prestigious campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, MA in partnership with the Harvard Haitian Alliance. Ketsia Armand, President of the Harvard Haitian Alliance, shares, “Through this fall’s conference, we are looking forward to collaborating with other organizations to build intergenerational partnerships that provide youth in the Haitian Diaspora with opportunities to contribute to development in Haiti.”

Additionally, the 2014 conference will examine whether interactions between the Diaspora and Haiti can be improved by exploring sustainable models and mechanisms that are available. These models and mechanisms include, but are not limited to, human capital, direct and indirect investments, increased use of technology, aggregate use of natural resources, and development of possible institutions which are Diaspora-centered constituting augmented coordinated and collaborative initiatives in the future that are all encompassing.

“Last year’s conference at Columbia underscored the depth and impact of energized groups in the diaspora in the United States and Haiti,” said Dr. Marjorie P. Brennan, MD, Founder & Executive Director, JDT Foundation. “This year, we hope that by facilitating connection, and promoting substantive conversation around opportunities and challenges, this conference will generate actionable strategies for diaspora engagement.”

More than 250+ professionals attended the 2nd annual conference on Haitian Diaspora Engagement and Innovation held at Columbia University on November 1-2, 2013 to address the challenges that have stalled Haiti’s economic progress and to create a framework for Diaspora by identifying opportunities for engagement both globally and within Haiti. The goal for the 3rd annual conference will be to explore obstacles facing the Haiti and the Diaspora in the area of engagement and to determine viable, long-term solutions.

For more information on the 3rd annual conference on Haiti Diaspora Engagement & Innovation, including sponsorship, speaker information, event registration, schedule and volunteering please visit www.conference.naahpusa.org

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About the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP)
The NAAHP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 to prepare Haitian Professionals for leadership positions, increase the number of successful Haitians in the diverse business community, and engage the Haitian Diaspora in development. The NAAHP is a vital resource in the advancement of Haitian professionals, entrepreneurs, and students; and we are committed to building intellectual and economic wealth within the Haitian community in the Diaspora and in Haiti through the development of partnerships, networking, and access to resources.

About the Joseph Denis Thomas (JDT) Foundation
The JDT Foundation entrusts the Haitian people to reverse the economic, environmental and social effects of deforestation. The foundation will advance higher education to enable Haitians to find inventive and effective ways of reclaiming Haiti’s landscape, find alternate fuel sources, diminish the devastating effects of soil erosion, and lead healthy productive lives.

About the Harvard Haitian Alliance (HHA)
The Harvard Haitian Alliance, founded in 1996, exists to educate students and community members about issues in Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora and to serve Haitian communities through cultural, public service, and discussion programs. The Harvard Haitian Alliance provides a space at Harvard for students to express and celebrate the diversity of Haitian culture through engagement with Haitian communities on and off-campus.

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