Recently, the U.S. government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign and Religious Affairs to reopen the U.S. Fulbright Program in Haiti. This program provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to build mutual understanding with the people of another country and contribute to the strengthening of the public sector abroad. The Fulbright Public Policy Fellows will work side by side with Haitian counterparts to meet the challenges of public policies.

After an eight year restriction, three Fellows will serve within the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation and the Ministry of Public Health and Population. These Fellows will have the opportunity to gain hands-on public sector experience while simultaneously carrying out academic research/study projects.

The Fellows hold a Master’s degree or are PhD students in areas of interest applicable to public policy. They have relevant work experience in public policy in areas including, but not limited to, Public Health, Education, Agriculture, Justice, Energy, Environment, Public Finance, Economic Development, Information Technology and Communication; and have mastered the language that will allow them to excel in their positions. The placement of these Fellows is done according to their qualifications and the needs of the host country.

Both the U.S. Embassy and the Government of Haiti have a mutual interest in reopening the U.S. Fulbright Program in Haiti. As the Government of Haiti returns to a state of normalcy in a post-earthquake environment, the U.S. government continues to seek areas upon which it can assist for the long-term stability of Haiti.

The ceremony took place at the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America, Mrs. Pamela A. White, in the company of the Minister of Foreign and Religious Affairs, Mr. Pierre Richard Casimir; the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Florence Guillaume; the Chief of Cabinet to the President Mrs. Ann Valerie Milfort Timothée; the General Director of the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation, Mr. Yves Robert Jean, Ms. Carole Sassine, Cabinet member of the Ministry of Education, and the representatives of the host institutions, National School of Financial Administration (ENAF) and INURED.

HL/ HaitiLibre