The Congress Honorary Chair, the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean to Address the 2012 Global Haitian Diaspora Congress at OAS in DC

WASHINGTON, DC, October 08, 2012 (Press-News.org) UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti and former governor general of Canada, the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, will, as Honorary Chair, address the 2012 Global Haitian Diaspora Congress October 18-20, 2012 in Washington, DC, at the Organization of American States Headquarters.

This Congress, themed "Unity for Results In and Out of Haiti," follows up on the 2008 and 2009 Haitian Diaspora Unity Congresses and the more recent post-earthquake outreach efforts such as the March 2010 OAS-sponsored Haitian Diaspora forum, the NGO Forum in Montreal, and a series of HDF Town Hall Meetings conducted in US states with large Haitian-American populations, including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois. The Haitian Diaspora is determined to be meaningfully involved in the reconstruction and sustainable development of Haiti and to engage in the affairs of their countries of adoption.

Approximately 400 Haitian diaspora leaders and organization representatives from around the world are expected at the 2012 Congress to:

a) Review the status of efforts since 2009 - Diaspora strengths, weaknesses, needs and trends - and

b) Explore and agree on ways to further focus the participants' considerable resources --- intellectual, financial, and coordinated action -- into the reconstruction of Haiti as well as their own development as a community in the adopted countries.

"Her continued dedication to Haiti and the Diaspora remains unrivaled" said Dr. Joseph Baptiste, president of the Haitian Diaspora Federation. "We look forward to her assistance to help us speak with one voice," he added.

"Haiti has no better ally than its diaspora that has demonstrated its attachment and concern by helping family members still living in the homeland," said Madame Jean. "We have to unite and mobilize this group full of potential for the benefit of the Republic of Haiti. We can accomplish a great deal if we work together on the plan establish by the Haitian government to take Haiti out of its state of dependency and accompany it through the years towards the group of emerging states," she added.

For further information please visit www.hduc.net.

Early registration is advised, as space is limited.
We thank the press in advance for attending.

Contact: "Diana L. Taylor" press@hduc.net