SUSTAINABLE HAITI FORUM

FAVACA is collaborating to hold a Social Venture Capital/Social Enterprise Conference March 17-19, 2010 in Miami, Florida.  The Sustainable Haiti Forum is a unique conference within a conference focused entirely on investment opportunities.  In light of the January 12th disaster, the forum has been expanded to include topics and speakers focused on stimulating the Haitian economy and spurring investments to aid in the long term recover. 

The Sustainable Haiti Forum will contain 25 workshops/panels and over 60 speakers from around the world.  Topics will include “Rising to the Challenge: South Florida’s Haitian Diaspora”, “Agriculture as Job Creator”, “Operating Within the Chaos: A Primer”, “Social Venture Capital as Change Agent” and more.  A partial list of invited speakers includes Haitian President Réne Préval, Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, Yéle Foundation Founder/Musician Wyclef Jean, Actor from NBC’s “Heroes” Jimmy Jean Louis, author Amy Wilentz and many more. Find out more and register by visiting: http://www.haiticonference.com. 

The Social Venture Capital/Social Enterprise Conference hopes to promote economic development within Latin America and the Caribbean.  It will inform participants especially social entrepreneurs and the diaspora from Latin America and the Caribbean about investment opportunities and social enterprises.  The main aim of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise is to further the social and environmental goals for a good cause. To learn more please visit http://www.connectionmiami.com.  

In response to the tragic events in Haiti, FAVACA is contacting many of our partners to find out what their direct needs are and how best FAVACA could provide assistance. We are urging firefighters, structural engineers, and trauma counselors especially with Haitian Creole or French language skills to volunteer their skills and time to help with the relief efforts in Haiti. Register HERE or email us at favaca@favaca.org

FAVACA has been working in Haiti for more than a 25 years in is committed to long term RECOVERY beyond the immediate needs provided by RELIEF efforts. A wide range of volunteer expertise will be needed. Click on our VOLUNTEER button or send us your contact information, resumé or bio-sketch outlining your skills and fields of expertise. We will enter your information into our SkillsBank and should we receive a request for skills such as yours, we will be in touch.

To continue to provide assistance to Haiti in both the short and long term, FAVACA is looking for donations which will be going directly to the relief effort. Donations can be made by visiting our website at http://www.favaca.org/?q=node/30. FAVACA is diligently working toward re-establishing communication with our local partners. Once a clearer picture of need on the ground and logistics can be made we would welcome volunteers to provide training and technical assistance. However, we are not currently sending volunteers until a clearer picture of how we can most effectively help is established.

If you wish to assist immediately in the relief effort, a click here for a list of organizations which are providing relief assistance to Haiti.

Thanks willingness to help!

Since its inception, FAVACA has supported over 350 volunteer projects to Haiti providing 530 technical experts and training nearly 7,930 individuals in a wide range of expertise. Due to the impact of natural disasters, FAVACA focuses special attention on disaster preparedness and mitigation. List below are several examples of projects FAVACA has supported in disaster preparedness from 2000-2009.

• FIRE RESCUE SAFETY- . Nathan Lasseur, West Palm Beach County Fire Department, Gayle Nye of Florida Heart CPR
• EVACUATION PLAN AND FIRE SAFETY FOCUS FOR CAP HAITIEN HOSPITAL- Nathan Lasseur, West Palm Beach County Fire Department, Gayle Nye of Florida Heart CPR, Robert Belizaire from Westin Fire Rescue, Florida; and Gina Lasseur, Palm Beach nurse.