Haitian Development Network Foundation

04/22/2026

In 1825, Haiti was forced to pay for its freedom.

France demanded 150 million francs, not for aid, but as compensation to former slaveholders. To pay it, Haiti had to take on more debt, trapping the country in a cycle that lasted generations.

The result?
Less investment in schools, infrastructure, and national development, and a future shaped by extraction instead of growth.

Haiti didn’t start behind by chance. It was pushed there.

Understanding this history isn’t about the past, it’s about making sense of the present.

At the Haitian Development Network Foundation (HDN), we believe awareness is the first step toward real, lasting change.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/35javvmu

04/15/2026

Why is Haiti still facing poverty?

It’s a question many people ask—but the answer isn’t simple.

Haiti’s challenges aren’t caused by one thing. They’re the result of interconnected systems shaped over time:
• Historical exploitation and debt that weakened the country early on
• Political instability that disrupted long-term progress
• Environmental vulnerability that makes disasters more damaging
• Global economic pressures that limit fair opportunities

These factors don’t exist in isolation—they reinforce each other, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. Haiti is not “broken.” The systems surrounding it have made progress harder to sustain.

But here’s what matters most: solutions do exist.

When efforts focus on strengthening communities, building local capacity, and creating sustainable opportunities, real change becomes possible.

At the Haitian Development Network Foundation (HDN), we’re committed to being part of that change—supporting solutions that are practical, community-driven, and built to last.

Follow along as we continue to share the realities, the work, and the impact.

05/09/2024

🇭🇹 A call for justice from the United Nations General Assembly report highlights Haiti’s need for reparations for historical injustices. As Haiti contends with the scars left by enslavement and colonialism, the report emphasizes the necessity of financial compensation, public apologies, and educational reforms. These measures are pivotal not only in rectifying historical wrongs but also in reinforcing Haiti’s societal unity and resilience.

05/08/2024

🇭🇹 At HDN, we’re committed to uplifting communities through education, economic initiatives, and sustainable development. Every step we take is a move towards a stronger, self-sufficient Haiti. Join us on this journey to make a lasting impact.

02/07/2024

In this groundbreaking series, we delve into the perceptions and realities surrounding Haiti, the first black republic.

In this groundbreaking series, we delve into the perceptions and realities surrounding Haiti, the first black republic. Episode 1 explores how the world view...

12/27/2023

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Haitian Development Network (HDN).

We bring like-minded individuals, businesses, and international organizations with a common interest in producing knowledge and wealth for our people everywhere.

Visit hdn.org to see how we aid Haiti in its journey toward true independence by helping Haitian families become self-reliant.

Once again, I send you and your loved ones my warmest holiday wishes. May you have a healthy and prosperous 2024!

Jacques Jonassaint
Chairman and CEO

09/15/2023

Amigos, Amigas:

El 17 de agosto publicamos en línea el primer número de HDNdigest que incluye, bajo el título “les bonnes pages,” el original francés, con sus traducciones al inglés y al español, de un texto fundacional de la nación haitiana, la Proclamación de Gonaives de 1 de enero de 1804 por Dessalines. Con este segundo número, siempre con la intención de crear una biblioteca digital haitiana multilingüe, ofrecemos dos capítulos de una de las obras más importantes jamás publicadas por un haitiano, Igualdad de las razas humanas: Antropología positiva de Anténor Firmin para leer o escuchar, en su versión original francesa y su traducción al inglés de Asselin Charles, a la espera de su traducción al español tan pronto como tengamos permiso de su traductora, Aurora Fibla Madrigal.

En este segundo número, también destacamos una institución de Montreal de gran importancia para los estudios haitianos, el CIDIHCA (Centre International de Documentation et d’Information Haïtienne, Caribéenne et Afro-canadienne — Centro Internacional de Documentación e Información Haitiana, Caribeña y Afrocanadiense), que celebra este año su 40º aniversario de existencia. Y no es casualidad que nuestra sección “Cabe destacar” informe de la reciente publicación de una imponente autobiografía del historiador haitiano Claude Moïse publicada por el CIDIHCA, Ce que je croyais, ce que je crois encore. Liberté, citoyenneté, solidarité (Lo que creía, lo que sigo creyendo. Libertad, ciudadanía, solidaridad).

De una historia a otra, destacamos también un notable documental de la televisión francesa sobre la Marcha sobre Washington del 28 de agosto de 1963, que terminó con el famoso discurso de MLK: “I have a dream!”

Finalmente, en nuestra sección sobre finanzas e inversión, observe un breve artículo de Jean Jonassaint sobre unas formas de ahorro protegido fiscalmente en Canadá, Estados Unidos y Francia. Esperemos que puede aprovecharlas para incrementar sus fuentes de ingresos, y asegurar, a medio y largo plazo, al menos bienestar material. Éste es uno de los objetivos de este compendio: permitir que todos vivan mejor.

Bon visionnement ! Bonne lecture ! Bonne écoute !
Y especialmente gracias por vuestro apoyo y vuestras sugerencias…

Cordialmente,
Los coeditores de HDNdigest
Jean Jonassaint y Asselin Charles @ [email protected]
En solidaridad con Marruecos, afligido por el terrible terremoto del 8 de septiembre de 2023

Una publicación bimestral para la promoción y el progreso de Haití, los haitianos y sus diversas comunidades

09/15/2023

Dear friends: [Versión española sigue]

On August 17, we put the first issue of HDNdigest online. Under the “Bonnes Pages” rubric we published a founding text of the Haitian nation, Dessalines “Proclamation of Gonaïves” of January 1, 1804, in the original French as well as in English and Spanish translations. In this 2nd issue of September 7, 2023, in keeping with our intention to create a multilingual Haitian digital library, we are offering two chapters from one of the most important works ever published by a Haitian, Anténor Firmin’s De l’égalité des races humaines: anthropologie positive, which may be read or listened to in the original French and in the English translation by Asselin Charles. The Spanish translation of these two chapters will be made available as soon as we have permission from their translator, Aurora Fibla Madrigal.

In this second issue, we also turn the spotlight on a Montreal institution of great importance for Haitian studies, the CIDIHCA (Centre International de Documentation et d’Information Haïtienne, Caribéenne et Afro-canadienne), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. And it is no coincidence that our “New & Noteworthy” section highlights CIDIHCA’s recent publication of an impressive autobiography by Haitian historian Claude Moïse, Ce que je croyais, ce que je crois encore. Liberté, citoyenneté, solidarité.

Moving on to another story, we also draw attention to a remarkable French TV documentary on the “Marche sur Washington” (March on Washington) of August 28, 1963, which ended with Martin Luther King’s famous speech, “I have a dream!”

Finally, in our section on finance and investment, we offer a short article by Jean Jonassaint on tax-sheltered forms of saving in Canada, the U.S. and France. Hopefully, you will be able to take advantage of these opportunities to increase your sources of income and, in the medium and long term, ensure at least some material well-being. And that is precisely one of the aims of this digest: to enable everyone to live better.

Bon visionnement ! Bonne lecture ! Bonne écoute !
And above all, thank you for your support and suggestions...

Cordially,
The HDNdigest co-editors
Asselin Charles and Jean Jonassaint @ [email protected]
In solidarity with Morocco bereaved by a terrible earthquake on September 8, 2023

A bimonthly for the promotion and the advancement of Haiti, Haitians, and their diverse communities

09/15/2023

Chères amies, chers amis,
[English and Spanish versions follow/ Versiones española e inglés siguen]

Le 17 août dernier, nous mettions en ligne le 1er numéro de HDNdigest avec au sommaire, sous la rubrique « les bonnes pages » l’original français, avec ses traductions anglaise et espagnole, d’un texte fondateur de la nation haïtienne, la Proclamation des Gonaïves du 1er janvier 1804 de Dessalines. Avec ce 2ème numéro du 7 septembre 2023, toujours dans notre intention de créer une bibliothèque digitale haïtienne multilingue, nous offrons deux chapitres d’un des ouvrages les plus importants jamais publiés par un Haïtien, De l’égalité des races humaines : anthropologie positive d’Anténor Firmin pour lire ou écouter dans leur version originale française et leur traduction anglaise par Asselin Charles, en attendant leur traduction espagnole dès que nous aurons la permission de leur traductrice, Aurora Fibla Madrigal.

Dans ce 2ème numéro, nous faisons également pleins feux sur une institution montréalaise de grande importance pour les études haïtiennes, le CIDIHCA (Centre International de Documentation et d’Information Haïtienne, Caribéenne et Afro-canadienne), qui fête cette année ses 40 ans d’existence. Et ce n’est pas hasard que notre rubrique « À Noter » signale la publication récente d’une imposante autobiographie de l’historien haïtien Claude Moïse aux éditions du CIDIHCA, Ce que je croyais, ce que je crois encore. Liberté, citoyenneté, solidarité.

D’une histoire à l’autre, nous signalons également un remarquable documentaire de la télé française sur la « Marche sur Washington » du 28 août 1963 qui se clôtura sur le fameux discours de MLK, “I have a dream!”

Pour finir, dans notre rubrique sur la finance et l’investissement, notons un court article de Jean Jonassaint sur des formes d’épargne à l’abri de l’impôt au Canada, aux États-Unis et en France. Espérons que vous saurez en profiter pour augmenter vos sources de revenus, et vous assurer, à moyen et long terme, un bien-être du moins matériel. C’est un des objectifs de ce digest : permettre à tous de mieux vivre.

Bon visionnement ! Bonne lecture ! Bonne écoute !
Et surtout merci pour votre soutien et vos suggestions…

Très cordialement,
Les co-éditeurs de HDNdigest
Jean Jonassaint et Asselin Charles @ [email protected]
En solidarité avec le Maroc endeuillé par un terrible tremblement de terre le 8 septembre 2023

Un bimensuel pour la promotion et l’avancement d’Haïti, des Haïtiens et de leurs diverses communautés

06/09/2023

From Haiti's Revolution to Haiti's Earthquakes, Our Accomplishments Serve as a Testament of our Resilience, Cultural Richness, and Historical Significance

Read more about Haiti here:

With Haiti being in the news so often, and generally for violence, natural disasters, and chaos, many non-Haitians are asking, “Is Haiti worth the effort?” After billions in foreign aid, many believe Haiti is doomed.