Minister Cannon supports Haitian diaspora
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May 20 to 21, 2010
Montreal, Canada
Lawrence Cannon, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was a guest of honour at the Rebuilding Haiti: Horizon 2030 conference held by the Groupe de réflexion et d’action pour une Haïti nouvelle [Reflection and Action Group for a New Haiti] (GRAHN) on May 20 and 21 at the École Polytechnique de Montréal.
The conference, at which over 450 guests from the worldwide Haitian diaspora are expected, is a follow-up to the March 4-5 GRAHN conference in Montreal attended by Haiti’s Prime Minister, Jean-Max Bellerive. The May conference gave an opportunity for GRAHN to present the results of its reflections and proposals for keystone projects for rebuilding Haiti.
The Haitian diaspora has experience, knowledge and understanding of local conditions in Haiti, enabling it to make a key contribution to the country’s reconstruction. It is important for Canada to listen to the GRAHN proposals to determine how all parties can work together more effectively.
Canada has maintained solid ties with its Haitian community since well before the earthquake. Through the Canadian International Development Agency, Canada funds a number of initiatives implemented by the Haitian diaspora or drawing on its expertise.
Media Centre
Speech - Address by Minister Cannon to International Conference of Groupe de réflexion et d’action pour une Haïti nouvelle- May 21, 2010
News release - Minister Cannon supports Haitian diaspora - May 20, 2010
