28183: Davis: (announce) RE: Forum on Abuse of Haitians in Dominican Republic (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: "Davis, Karen" <kdavis@marygrove.edu>


EVENT: Hispaniola: Voices of Its People Echoing Freedom open forum
PLACE: Columbia University, New York, NY 10022
DATE/TIME: Saturday April 29, 2006 at 9:30am
Contacts: Alba Mota at am2360@columbia.edu/212-729-3086 or Holly Guzmán at hg2064@columbia.edu

"HISPANIOLA: VOICES OF ITS PEOPLE ECHOING FREEDOM"

"Hispaniola: Voices of its People Echoing Freedom" is an open forum organized mostly by Dominican and Haitian students from Columbia University to provide a space for dialogue at all levels as well as brainstorming among students, community members, professionals, scholars, and allies concerned with issues pertaining to human rights, and Dominican and Haitian affairs. The persistence of the violations of Haitians' human rights in the Dominican Republic, concurrent with the Dominican and Haitian governments' neglect of these violations are the main driving forces promoting this event.

The involvement of the Diaspora communities within the United States in this event is a pivotal element for the alliance the forum aims to ultimately achieve.

Concerned Dominican and Haitian students from Columbia University, City College, Long Island University, and NYU, along with various community organizers began a collaboration to generate momentum and solidarity. This open forum looks to provide the necessary information and tools to better deal with the Haitian crisis in the Dominican Republic. As a result, the forum emphasis will provide a point of convergence for Dominican and Haitian descendants in the Diaspora. Three main goals will be accomplished:

1. First, it is essential to reach a mutual and clear understanding of the Hispaniola historical perspective as an island/two nations, followed by an update of the current socioeconomic and political situations maintaining both nations torn and in misery;

2. The second goal is to sketch a proactive plan supported by action, unity, respect, willingness and collaboration between Dominican and Haitian descendants residing in the United States.  This plan must be socially inclusive and take into account the time, commitment and energy required for success;

3. Thirdly, to transform this proactive plan into a concrete instrument that would help to halt the hostile relationships between the two countries and change Dominicans' mentality towards Haitians.

Please Contact: am2360@columbia.edu or 212-729-3086/ hg2064@columbia.edu