The Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington, D.C. announces the Haiti’s Future Leaders Fellowship Program, June 23 – August 15, 2014. The Haiti’s Future Leaders Fellowship is a cross-cultural, educational initiative designed to meet two main objectives: to involve the Haitian Diaspora in the country’s development process and to foster the career development of talented Haitian university students.
The program was established in 2014 under the tutelage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and spearheaded by the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington, D.C. It is a dual initiative focused on accomplished Haitian and Haitian-American university students and promising young professionals. Selected fellows will participate in an eight-week summer assignment either in Washington, D.C. or Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Thirteen fellows were chosen after a rigorous selection process. Seven fellows from a number of universities in Haiti headed to assignments in Washington, D.C. will work in assorted capacity at the Haitian Embassy in the U.S. capital. They will engage with various Washington-based institutions with which the Embassy collaborates. Six Haitian-American fellows from the U.S. headed to assignments in Haiti will be posted in key public institutions, where they will work closely with senior Haitian government officials to gain experience in public administration and policy making. Lastly, all fellows will use their education and skills to enhance the work of these institutions.
The inaugural class is named after the late Anténor Firmin, one of Haiti’s most renowned public servants and public policy scholars. His commitment to public administration and civic engagement, his astute political mind, and his sharp diplomatic skills are still widely admired and studied in Haiti and abroad 103 years after his death. His fervent defense of Haiti’s interest is an inspiration to all Haitian nationals, and a model for dedicated Haitian public servants today.
The 2014 Anténor Firmin Class
Port-au-Prince-Bound Fellows
Ernest CAJUSTE
Mr. Cajuste received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in International Studies from Barry University in Miami, Florida. During and a few years after his studies, he worked for Bank of America.
In 2008, he joined the Organization of American States (OAS) where he participated in promoting and supporting human capacity development and strengthening bonds among the people in the hemisphere.
In the aftermath of the Cholera outbreak in Haiti, Mr. Cajuste joined the national water and sanitation agency (DINEPA) as a Program Coordinator. He contributed to putting in place a structure to help support the agency better respond to the cholera outbreak and, at the same time, carry out reforms to ensure Haitians in the rural and most remote areas of the country can get access to potable water and good sanitation.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Project Management at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) in Paris, France. Mr. Cajuste will work with the Conseil de Développement Economique et Social (CDES) in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Marie Jesula DURANÉ
Ms. Durané is a graduate of Loyola University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in History. While in college she studied abroad in Accra, Ghana, worked at a refugee resettlement agency in Baltimore, MD, worked for the Organization for International Cooperation, and volunteered at homeless shelters. Ms. Durané was president of the on-campus club ONE Loyola that raised funds for Haiti after the earthquake.
After college, Ms. Durané worked for US Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, MD and the Frederick County Courthouse as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children of Abuse (CASA). She is currently a law student at American University’s, Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., where she is a member of the school’s Alternative Dispute Resolution team.
Ms. Durané will work in the Legal Affairs Department in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Deborah ETIENNE
Ms. Etienne has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is currently completing her Doctorate degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University, with a specialization in Human Service Administration.
Ms. Etienne is experienced in a number of areas, but has recently focused her efforts in the international humanitarian field. She has traveled extensively doing short-term humanitarian missions and trainings in different sectors and countries including Argentina, France, Haiti and Switzerland.
Ms. Etienne will work with the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation.
Crystal Andrea FELIMA
Ms. Felima is currently completing her Doctorate degree in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She has a Master’s in Professional Studies degree in Africana Studies from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. She has published in the Journal of Haitian Studies and Anthropology News, and has taught two undergraduate courses: Anthropology of Religion and Anthropology of Disasters.
Ms. Felima is a recipient of two Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships to study Haitian Creole. Outside of her academic work, she is co-chair of the International Awareness and Involvement Committee for her alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In northern Haiti, she volunteered with the non-profit Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods and taught English at the New American Institute. She is currently managing a yearlong sorority donation drive to assist women cocoa farmers in northern Haiti. Starting in the fall 2014, Ms. Felima will begin her dissertation research and continue to study Creole and French for 16 months in northern Haiti.
Ms. Felima will work with the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE).
Naomie PIERRE-LOUIS
Ms. Pierre-Louis has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Nyack College in Nyack, New York. She is a recent graduate at the Robertson School of Government at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she earned her Master’s degree in International Relations and Public Administration.
Ms. Pierre-Louis has served in a variety of operational and executive boards. Currently, she serves on the executive board of the National Association of Haitian Professionals (NAHP) and volunteers at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington, D.C. She is an accomplished event planner and has organized a number of corporate, fundraising, and networking events and conferences.
Ms. Pierre-Louis will work the Office for Housing and Public Buildings Construction.
Andye SANON
Ms. Sanon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and in International Studies with a specialization on World Politics and Diplomacy from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. During her undergraduate studies she spent a semester studying European Politics and Diplomacy in France and another semester studying International Development in Senegal.
Ms. Sanon is the recipient of several awards, including the U.S. President’s Education Award and the New York City Council’s Humanitarian Award. In the past, Ms. Sanon has interned at the University of Richmond’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and at the Fédération du Baol in Senegal. She has also worked at the Young Women’s Leadership Network in New York City.
Ms. Sanon will work with the Cabinet of the President of Haiti.
Washington, D.C.-Bound Fellows
These fellows will work in various departments at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington, D.C.
Patricia JASMIN
Ms. Jasmin is a third-year student in International Relations at the Académie Nationale Diplomatique et Consulaire in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In 2010, while in Mexico, she volunteered at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Mexico on earthquake relief efforts. She has participated in the Toastmaster debate club and volunteers with social initiatives.
Minelle LARECHE
Ms. Larêche is a fourth-year Law and Political Science student at University Quisqueya in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She has been involved in assisting with the editing of the university’s website and volunteering with the student affairs office. Ms. Larêche has also contributed her organizational skills to the Audubon Society, putting together exhibits on biodiversity in Haiti.
Over the past year, she interned as a Junior Lawyer with the Haitian Chamber for Conciliation and Arbitration.
Judson MESIDOR
Mr. Mésidor is a fourth-year student in Diplomacy and International Affairs at the Centre d’Etudes Diplomatiques et Internationales in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is also a third-year Law and Economics student at the State University of Haiti; pursuing a specialization in International Law.
Mr. Mésidor is involved in youth leadership, development training sessions and activities for youth groups.
Tayana PICARD
Ms. Picard is a third-year student in Political Science and International Relations at Université Notre Dame d’Haïti in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Ms. Picard is an active member of her university’s student body, and participates in athletic and literature programs.
Bertrand SCIPION
Mr. Scipion is a second-year Law student at the Ecole Supérieure Catholique de Droit de Jérémie in Jérémie, Haiti. He is also trained as a health worker, and while enrolled at the university he has worked as a technician with the Grand’Anse Sanitation Office.
Saïd SUIRE
Mr. Suire is a fourth-year Public Governance student at the Centre de Techniques de Planification et d’Economie Appliquée (CTPEA) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Mr. Suire is an active member of his university’s student body and participates in athletic programs.
Marc-Andy TORCHENAUD
Mr. Torchenaud is a fourth-year Statistics student at the Centre de Techniques de Planification et d’Economie Appliquée (CTPEA) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Mr. Torchenaud is an active member of campus activities.