Haitian-American Community Dialogue
The Haitian-American Community Dialogue is
a project of the Expatriate
Community Dialogues Project. Its objective is to overcome
obstacles to building healthy and sustainable institutions in
the Haitian-American
community by undertaking constructive dialogue about differences
within the community. In recent years, the members have turned
their attention to the situation in Haiti.
Find out about AFSC's work in Haiti here.
The activities of the Dialogue are described
in detail below. (Click on the highlighted headings below to download reports of each event.)
Principles for a Healthy Democracy
in Haiti
This initiative, begun in February 2004, is part of a continuing effort
to engage the diaspora in building Haiti's future. The Principles
for a Healthy Democracy in Haiti(pdf) is a discussion document created as a basis for follow-up activities of the Forum on the future of democracy in Haiti, described below. Your participation in future dialogues is welcome. Recent activities related to the "Principles" include:
The Haitian Constitution 20 Years Later: Where Are We? (pdf), March 24, 2007 - a forum for the Haitian diaspora community to learn about, and engage in a discussion on, the constitution as a guide and guarantee for democratic change in Haiti. The Forum was organized in collaboration with the Fédération des Associations Régionales Haïtiennes à l’Etranger (FARHE).
Its main objectives were to increase knowledge of the history of Haitian constitutions and the context in which the 1987 constitution was drafted, to examine its effectiveness in addressing social and political challenges in Haiti, and to draw out recommendations to better achieve the ideals of the constitution. A particular focus was on the way the constitution addresses the diaspora question, and how the constitution affects expatriate community involvement in Haiti’s development.
Circles of Change: A Quiet Revolution in Haiti(pdf), January 18, 2006 - a presentation and discussion of a documentary on an innovative approach to leadership development and community organizing in Haiti using grassroots techniques such as “Open Space” and “Reflection Circles.”
Community Forum, “Haiti, Elections and Beyond”(pdf), November 20, 2005 - a panel of experts followed by a discussion on the election process (before, during and after).
Grand Kombit
In June 2004 as part of its efforts to encourage members of the diaspora to be more fully and constructively engaged with positive development in Haiti, the Dialogue organized this community event to bring together people who wanted to identify and undertake action plans to respond to the needs in Haiti. An overview of the event is available here(pdf).
Forum on the Future of Haitian Democracy
In October 2003, the Haitian-American
Community Dialogue (HACD) held a forum on the future of democracy
in Haiti entitled, Haiti,
from Polarization to Pluralism: Opportunities for Democratic
Cooperation and Development (pdf).
This event built on the successful experience with joint problem
solving dialogue of the HACD participants and provided an unprecedented
opportunity for a diverse group of Haitians and friends of
Haiti to engage in constructive dialogue on opportunities for
all sectors of Haitian society (including the diaspora) to
collaborate in rebuilding a stable Haiti.
"Know Your Rights" campaign
The "Know
Your Rights" campaign helps immigrant communities understand
the changing legal environment since September 11th 2001.
Inventory of Haitian-American Community
Organizations
In December
2001, the Haitian Dialogue compiled an Inventory
of Haitian-American Community Organizations (pdf) in the New York City Metropolitan Region.
Brief History Of Haitian-American Community
Dialogue
The
History Of the Haitian-American Community Dialogue (pdf) stretches
from its conception in the fall of 1995 through its evolution
to its present form with accompanying projects to meet community
needs and concerns.
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