Humanitarianism in Haiti: Visions and Practice seeks to bring together grassroots activists and donors, international NGO workers and theorists to critically assess both the aims of humanitarian and development aid and the efficacy of aid design and delivery. By creating a horizontal space to cut through the sometimes competing agendas of different actors, the conference hopes to foster more honest and practical dialogue. Through these conversations we anticipate capturing a more comprehensive picture of the politics and on-the-ground challenges shaping the reconstruction effort in Haiti, and lay the groundwork for action that more effectively addresses Haitian-defined priorities.

Hosted by the Duke Haiti Lab, the conference will be the highlight of a year of exciting events that merge research, education, and practical applications of innovative thinking for Haiti’s disaster recovery and for the expansion of Haitian studies in the U.S. and Haiti. The conference is an outgrowth of the Haiti Project, a joint Duke-North Carolina Central University class on aid in Haiti. We are grateful to the Bank of America for its generous support of this conference.

Supported by the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities Writ Large grant, the Haiti Lab is one of three Humanities Laboratories based at Duke’s Franklin Humanities Institute.