On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the scientific, academic and civic excellence of Haiti was celebrated on the international stage during the closing ceremony of the tenth edition of the Lucius Annaeus Seneca International Academic Prize for Contemporary Literature, which took place at the Norman-Swabian Castle of Sannicandro di Bari, in Italy.

On this occasion, the Senate of the Academy of Philosophical Arts and Sciences of Bari paid solemn tribute to four Haitian personalities for the rigor of their research, their remarkable leadership as well as their exemplary civic and humanitarian commitment :

Professor Evens EMMANUEL : He was awarded the exceptional academic title of Scientiae et Civilitatis Magister, accompanied by the Cross of Academic Merit for remarkable scientific and civic commitment. Member of the National Agency for Higher Education and Scientific Research (ANESRS), teacher-researcher at Quisqueya University and holder of the UNESCO Chair dedicated to water, hygiene and sanitation in educational establishments, this prestigious distinction honors the rigor of his research in environmental sciences (water, public health and sustainability) as well as his constant support for scientific diplomacy and international academic cooperation.

Ms. Vanessa CLERGÉ : Appointed Ambasciatrice della Pace (Ambassador of Peace), is a young leader deeply committed to the promotion of Peace, youth leadership and international cooperation. She is also a final year student at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (FSAE) at Quisqueya University.

Dre. Marie Guerda NICOLAS : Awarded the Laudis Charta Ob Obfirmata Opera e Studio distinction. A Haitian-American psychologist, she holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Boston University, professor at the University of Miami and co-founder of Ayiti Community Trust.

Me Jean Baptiste BROWN : Honored with the title of Humanitatis e Iustitiae Magister. Emeritus lawyer registered at the bar for more than 46 years and former Minister of Justice and Public Security in Haiti, this prestigious distinction rewards his entire remarkable career dedicated to law, justice and humanism.

During his official speech, Professor Evens Emmanuel dedicated this distinction to the Haitian University, to Quisqueya University as well as to the entire national scientific and intellectual community, emphatically emphasizing that knowledge and research must remain common goods, levers of emancipation and instruments of equity in the service of populations.

The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) would like to extend its warmest congratulations and sincere tributes to these four recipients. They constitute an immense source of pride for the entire nation and contribute brilliantly to promoting Haitian knowledge, culture and values ​​throughout the world.

Image : Top left Ms. Vanessa CLERGÉ; bottom right Professor Evens; Bottom left Dre. Marie Guerda NICOLAS; bottom right Me Jean Baptiste BROWN.

HL/ HaitiLibre