The second annual International Congress of the Haitian Diaspora will take place August 6-9, 2009 at Trump International Beach Resorts in Miami Beach, Florida.  The purpose of the event is to capitalize on the resources that the Diaspora can bring to help build Haiti’s economy.  The agenda includes a variety of issues such as boosting tourism, stimulating agricultural production, restoring forests and ecology, managing water supplies, preparing for disasters, achieving literacy, and job creation.  A schedule of events is copied below.  If you would like to participate, you can register here. Contact information is listed below if you want to volunteer.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6th, 2009
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM   Exhibits/Vendor/Sponsor Check in - Bay    Room

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM     Sponsor/Vendor/Sponsor Check in - Bay Room

3:00 PM - 10:00 PM    Registration - Bay Room

3:00 PM - 10:00 PM    Lost and Found - Bay Room

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM      VIP Room - Ocean Room

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM      Sponsor Open - Bay Room

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM      Registration/Technology Café

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM      REGISTRATION - Experts and Community leaders will address the Challenges of the Haitian Diaspora and the Sustainable Economic Development of Haiti

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM    WELCOME, celebrations, get-to-know-you reception.

FRIDAY AUGUST 7th, 2009
MORNING SESSION   HAITI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARMS I

7:00 AM - 7:50         Registration, Breakfast, Get to Know You.

7:50 AM - 8:00 AM    Invocation

8:00 AM - 8:40 AM    The State of the Country

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM   Panel A1: Boosting Agriculture

                                Panel B1: Improving Water Management

10:40 AM - 12:00 PM Panel A2: Restoring Forests and Ecology

                                Panel B2: Education & Health

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM  Lunch & Entertainment

AFTERNOON SESSION HAITI ECON DEVELOPMENT ARMS II

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM   Panel A3: Extending Infrastructure
                              Panel B3: Stimulating Tourism
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM   Panel A4: Promoting Art/Ecotourism                                  

                              Panel B4: Literacy and vocational Training

4:00 PM - 4:50 PM   Diaspora Remittances & Solidarity Fund.

EVENING SESSION: BUSINESS IN HAITI
7PM- 10:00 PM        HAITI IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS"Haiti Center for Facilitation of Investments" Reception

SATURDAY AUGUST 8th, 2009
MORNING SESSION - DIASPORA COMMUNITY BUILDING AND EMPOWERMENT I
7:00 AM - 7:50 AM      Faith based Breakfast - The Role of The church

8:00 AM - 08:40 AM    Reports on 2008 Congress Resolutions

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM    Panel A5: Diaspora Immersion

                                 Panel B5: Economic Development

10:40 AM - 12:00 PM  Panel A6: Justice/Immigration      

                                 Panel B6: Civic Involvement

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM   Lunch and Entertainment

AFTERNOON SESSION - ASSISTING DEVELOPMENT IN HAITI
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM       Panel A7 : Future Leaders Roundtable

                                  Panel B7: Dual Nationality/Voting

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM       Diaspora Youth Challenges

4:00 PM - 4:40 PM       Deliberations and closing remarks.

EVENING SESSION
8:00 PM - 1:00 AM       Diner Award Gala Celebrations.

SUNDAY AUGUST 9th, 2009
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM     Govt/Donors Investment Roundtable

2:00- XX                     OPTIONAL CRUISES / FESTIVAL

CONTACT INFORMATION
Annual "Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress" Committee
22 Ball Street
Suite 100
Irvington, NJ 07111
Zaida Torres,
Administrative Assistant,
Phone: 973-371-0089,
Fax: 973-372-7677,
Email: ztorres@thl-us.org

Conrade Prophete
Phone: (786) 390-0557