Wednesday, as part of the activities preceding the celebration of the National Day of the Diaspora (JND 2018) on Friday 20 April https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24132-haiti-diaspora-message-from-the-consul-of-chicago-and-program-of-the-jnd-2018.html , a conference-debate was organized at the local Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) on "The scientific, academic and intellectual contributions of the Diaspora. Issues and perspectives" given by the former rector of the Campus of the University of Limonade, Professor Jean Marie Théodat.

Jean Marie Théodat, recalled that the term "diaspora" dates back to Greek antiquity (more than 2000 years with the dispersion of Jews) and that today, the term is used by all communities in the world experiencing exile and migration.

According to Professor Théodat, the diaspora doesn't exist, without distance or displacement, emphasizing that this distance gives rise to a space of time and to the acculturation of immigrants emphasizing "[...] what characterizes the Haitians of the diaspora is their attachment to their roots despite their multiple anchors. Thus, language, religion and morals are among others, the factors determining their identity."

IH/ iciHaiti