The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), feels happy to announce that, by presidential order signed in Council of Ministers March 16 2011, the date of April 20 is proclaimed "National Day of the Diaspora".

The "National Day of the Diaspora" (JND), is the culmination of various approaches from the MHAVE to the Executive, following large meetings held by its owner Mr Edwin Paraison to the United States, Canada, Spain, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, among others, within the framework of the promotion of new relations between Haiti and its diaspora, to answer expectations of both parties.

To do this, the MHAVE has chosen to use a tool from a demonstration organized by the Diaspora in April 20, 1990. Having gathered more than 120,000 people beyond social divisions, religious and political, this demonstration is considered as the most important of non-political nature, has led, for some to a living experience of our motto: "L'Union fait la force", the latter, which today must be recovered and utilized within the dual process of refoundation and reconstruction.

Held in New York on April 20, 1990, this historic day has been crucial to the defense of good international reputation of the country, the interests of the Haitian community in the United States and in anticipation of inadequate measures that could hit the rest of the global Haitian Diaspora, face the stigma of HIV/AIDS. Evidence of commitment and of unity that should be enhanced, channeled, appreciated and even imitated by the present and future generations.

21 years later, the Haitian State is remembering. Officially instituted, this day of the diaspora who will be commemorated annually, for the first time this April 20, 2011, will have the virtue of expressing the gratitude of the state, to his daughters and his son that it could not retain in its center, but which make watch of a worthy patriotic attachment be recognized by all.

The launch of the organizational activities of this day have been conducted in the premises of MHAVE this 1st April, with the participation of representatives of other ministries, including the Foreign Minister, Marie Michèle Rey, the Minister of Culture and Communication, Marie Laurence Jocelyn-Lassègue, executives from the Ministries of Interior and Territorial Communities and Tourism. As well as representatives of the diaspora communities of the United States, France and Cuba.

For Ms. Lassègue, a major step was taken with the institutionalization of a National day for the diaspora. For her part, Ms. Rey stressed the need of a effective appropriation by the diaspora of this day. The holder of MHAVE for his part, expressed his satisfaction to have been able to carry out this initiative and made ​​an appeal to Haitian communities from the outside to fully celebrate this date.

The MHAVE invites the media in Haiti and from the communities outside to be actively involved in this celebration by including in their programming day, this April 20, special programmes on topics of interest for the diaspora.

HL/ HaitiLibre