After chaos, hope
For several years, daily life for Haitians has become a burden in this increasingly insecure state, where lawlessness reigns in the cities as well as in the countryside.

Following the persecution of students in September 2003, demonstrations were organized across the country to denounce the armed militias and the central government’s human rights violations.

Over the last few months, numerous assassinations, thefts, fires, and threats to press freedom have taken place.

Since the transitional period of 2004, Haiti’s future seems to be looking up. Frères des Hommes, which has worked in the country since 1977, has decided to launch a new program supporting a return to democracy through education, and to launch two local development programs, with CRESFED (Center for Research and Economic and Social Education for Development), its Haitian partner.

2004-2007: FDH – CRESFED
Democracy through education and active citizenship

Education, in order to:

• Develop a network of leaders in the areas of human rights and active citizenship
• Promote citizen participation in social, economic, and cultural life in communities across the country
• Strengthen the ability of local actors to rebuild the social network and local administration

Who benefits?

• 2 300 people, including leaders of community, cultural, and peasant organizations, youth and women organizations (at least 40%), members of civil society organizations, and elected officials

Adapted methods:

• Systematic support for the knowledge gained by each participant
• A participative approach, drawing on culture and the collective memory, to motivate participants
• Permanent collaboration and dialogue with members of Haitian society (NGOs, educational institutions and teachers, local authorities, churches)
• An active interest in the contributions of women: given their important role in society, the project will aim to strengthen their participation at all levels, and in parity with men

Diverse Training Themes

• Rights and responsibilities of citizens:
• Methods of identifying the needs of the population and setting up diagnostics
• Reintroducing civic education in the school curriculum
• Reading courses
• Application of decentralization at the local level
• Skills for management, organization, and conflict resolution

Starting now
With your contribution, we will:

• Build and furnish two civic centers for training workshops, conferences, and activities: purchase of tables, chairs, blackboards, telephones, and creating space for documentation centers
• Develop and share pedagogic and information tools
• Produce educational radio programs to be broadcasted on a community station
• Plan cultural activities in the communities, in order to bring a civic context to national holidays and international days on women, the environment, and human rights
• Continue work on a national education campaign, started in 2005, on the rights and responsibilities of all citizens
• Set up meetings between members of local organizations, local authorities, church groups, and other NGOs working in the region.

“Your donation will contribute to building democracy and economic development in Haiti!”

Now is the time to act!