In the presence of academics, politicians, members of the civil community, that the bell rang opening recently the doors of the Haitian Studies Institute (HSI) within the Brooklyn College.

It is thanks to the tireless efforts of the US Deputy of Haitian origin Rodneyse Bichotte that this project, which had not at first the political support necessary for its implementation, managed to land successfully.

Peter Helder Bernard, the Consul General of the Republic of Haiti in New York, could not hide his emotions before the choice of Brooklyn College, where he was a student 23 years ago, to host this Institute that will help popularize Haiti's culture.

Among the other officials present at the opening include the President of Brooklyn College, Michelle J. Anderson; the Congressman, Yvette Clarke, faithful friend of Haiti; Congressman Nick Perry; the Haitian-American deputy, Kimberly Jean-Pierre; Dean of the Faculty of Social and Humanitarian Sciences at Brooklyn College, Dr. Richard Greenwald; the Executive Director for Government Affairs and External Relations at Brooklyn College, Steve Schechter and the Commissioner of the Department of Finance of the City of New York, Jacques Jiha.

Dr. Jean Eddy St. Paul, Haitian of originn was chosen as the first Director of the Institute. In his speech, he outlined his vision of creating a research center at national and international scale, a modern website and make landmark studies including on the Africa-Haiti relations.

HL/ HaitiLibre