The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) to Host its 2nd Annual Conference on Diaspora Engagement & Innovation in Haiti

For Immediate Release

Contact: Anide Jean, NAAHP Communications Group
Contact #: 973-420-2501
Office #: 877-627-6247

Email: send email

The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) to Host its 2nd Annual Conference on Diaspora Engagement & Innovation in Haiti

Ambassador Paul Altidor to present keynote address at upcoming conference on Haiti to be held
on November 1 & 2, 2013 at Columbia University in New York

The NAAHP will be hosting the second annual conference on Diaspora Engagement in Haiti themed, “Models, Methods, and Mechanisms for Diaspora Engagement in Haiti: Leveraging Knowledge, Skills and Resources for Mutual Economic Development” on November 1 and 2 at the Columbia University campus.

The NAAHP is hosting the 2nd Annual Conference in partnership with the Joseph Denis Thomas (JDT) Foundation and the Haiti Research & Policy Program of the Center on Globalization and Sustainable Development at the Earth Institute of Columbia University.

Post Haiti-earthquake, the development community and business world has moved the conversation on Diaspora engagement from the periphery to the mainstream; however, few, if any, practical mechanisms exist through which ‘projects back home’ and members of the Diaspora can easily identify areas of mutual benefit and interact with each other. The NAAHP, JDT Foundation and Haiti Research & Policy Program seek to address this gap with the 2nd Annual Conference on Diaspora Engagement & Innovation.

The two-day conference will focus on the models, mechanisms and methods for engagement, between the Diaspora and Haitian organizations and companies. Day one of the conference intends to explore examples of different Diaspora models, methods and mechanisms and reflect on how these tools might be applied within the Haitian Diaspora engagement and will be taking place at the Faculty House, Columbia University. A breadth of speakers will share tools and models they have utilized within their home countries to spur Diaspora engagement among them includes: Catherine Tactaquin, National Network for Filipino Immigrant and Refugee Rights; Aram Hamparian, Armenian National Committee of America, Irvyne Jean Baptiste, Zafen Crowd-funding for Haiti and Efain Jiminez of the Zacatecas Federation.

Day two of the conference will take place at Altschul Auditorium on the Columbia University campus and will include a series of workshops that will focus on the areas of strategic volunteerism within the health field, opportunities and barriers for direct investment in Haiti, professional development and capacity building for the Diaspora, youth engagement and Web 2.0 tools to leverage Diaspora networks, giving and volunteering.

Confirmed speakers for day two include Ambassador Paul Altidor, Embassy of Haiti, Manolia Charlotin, Editor in Chief, Haitian Times, Katleen Felix, International Consultant – Migration and Development and many more. The organizers are expecting over 300 Haitian and Haitian-American professionals and friends of Haiti from different fields to attend this two-day conference.

On Friday, November 1, from 6:30pm – 10:30pm the NAAHP and JDT Foundation will be hosting a fundraising networking & cocktail reception event to support a scholarship fund for Haitian Nationals pursuing higher education in Haiti. Special guests for the fundraising event include NYC Public Advocate and Mayoral Candidate Bill De Blasio and Haitian Olympic Team members, Samyr Laine & Moise Joseph. Ticket costs are $50 in advance and $60 at the door (location TBA, NY, NY).

To register for the conference and other ancillary conference events please visit: http://nahpconference-es2.eventbrite.com. For more information about the conference, plenary sessions, workshops and speakers please visit: www.conference.naahpusa.org.

For more information, interview requests or to provide media coverage of the event please contact Anide Jean at 973.420.2501 or via email at anidej@hotmail.com

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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 is dedicated to empowering 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 beautiful landscape, find alternate fuel sources, diminish the devastating effects of soil erosion, and lead healthy productive lives.

About the Haiti Research & Policy Program at the Earth Institute of Columbia University

The Haiti Research and Policy Program operating under Center of Globalization and Sustainable Development at the Earth Institute provides policy advising and technical assistance to government partners in Haiti. Through applied research and analysis, knowledge networks and national policy advising the Program’s work focuses on the critical need for enhanced science-based, regional and national scale data collection and monitoring systems. The Earth Institute creates planning, policy and programming tools with the Haitian knowledge networks, university research communities and government agencies. Their work in Haiti demonstrates the powerful interdependence of research, planning and policy to inform dialogue and guide development planning efforts.