The Project- The Coalition

In July 2007, The Haitian National Coalition for the Environment was organized at their founders’ meeting in Jacmel, Haiti. The coalition is composed of many Haitian
environmental activists as well as several environmental/development NGOs (non-profit
| agencies) that have on-going work in Haiti. Their dedication to the concept of working
together to restore Haiti’s natural resources was inspiring to all who attended.

Coalition members, Jacmel, Haiti.

The delegates, at this meeting, adopted the three environmental goals of Haiti’s
government, as presented by a representative from Haiti’s Ministry of the Environment.
These goals, or dreams of all Haitians, are as follows:

There shall be:
l. An intensive, massive reforestation in all of Haiti’s 10
departments, i.e. the planting of millions of trees, shrubs and
grasses on Haiti’s mountainsides, river-banks, and valleys,
and their long term nurture and protection.

2. The replacement of Haiti’s charcoal economy with alternative
energy- solar, wind and biofuels.

3. The reduction of poverty by 50% by the year 2015, through
community development and environmental renewal
(The UN Development Goal).

In the year 2008, coalition members and many villagers and grass roots supporters
met in departmental groups to develop comprehensive plans to address these three
goals in all of their regions. They also are working toward developing concrete
proposals for action and funding. The work of renewal has begun and the voices of
the people are loud and clear.