Program Overview

The Trinity Haiti Program seeks to provide accurate, up-to-date, and insightful information and analysis to individuals and organizations involved in current Haitian political, economic and social issues. The Haiti Program also seeks to raise awareness of the forthcoming 200th anniversary of Haiti's independence in 2004 by providing a forum for the exchange and dissemination of information on the contributions made over space and time by Haiti and the U.S.-based Haitian Diaspora population to the well being of the United States. The Trinity Haiti Program is a continuation and expansion of the Georgetown University Haiti Program, which was founded in 1994 in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University.

The Haiti Program works with two core constituencies. One constituency is composed of policy makers and program planners in agencies and branches of the U.S. government as well as representatives of academic, non-governmental and international organizations. The second constituency is composed of members of the Haitian-American population actively involved in Haiti and US-Haiti issues. A principal program partner in this regard is the National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH). Members of both constituencies are convened periodically under the auspices of the Haiti Study Group to participate in seminars and symposia on topical issues.

During 2002, the Haiti Program will achieve its objectives through seminars and symposia, publications, and the development of educational materials. Eight seminars, usually off-the-record and by invitation only for members of the Haiti Study Group (HSG), will be held to address contemporary political, economic and social issues. Seminars usually last for two hours and involve specially invited guest speakers. Three full-day symposia, also by invitation for members of the HSG and other guests, will be organized during 2002. Individual symposium will address issues related to Haiti's political and economic development; the significance of its independence to the United States; and the contemporary contribution of Haitian-Americans to U.S. political, economic, and social vitality.

To complement its seminars and symposia, the Haiti Program will also publish two Briefing Papers on current issues along with two Haiti Info Circulars. The latter, in addition to containing reports and articles written by program collaborators, will include symposium reports. All published materials will be posted on the Haiti Program's website. Educational materials developed by the program during 2002 will also include such electronic tools as power-point presentations. Partnerships will be developed with Haitian-American organizations in five U.S. cities for the development and use of electronic educational tools. It is envisaged that these tools will also be made available to other Haitian-American and non-Haitian organizations by way of the program's website.

The Haiti Program also sponsors occasional briefings for Congressional Staff members and others, and participates in meetings, consultations and conferences on issues linked to its work. The Trinity Haiti Program is directed by Dr. Robert Maguire.