On April 17, 2026, the remote southwestern border town of Pedernales in the Dominican Republic opened the 14th edition of Diaspora Week, a flagship community initiative organized by the Zile Foundation designed to foster cross-border dialogue, advance peaceful coexistence, and deepen connections between the neighboring nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The opening gathering drew local government officials, grassroots community leaders, and a large cross-border delegation from the Haitian town of Anse-à-Pitres, headed by that community’s mayor, Harry Bruno. In his opening remarks, Bruno underlined the irreplaceable value of these collaborative forums, noting that diaspora communities are the backbone of stronger, more resilient bilateral bonds between the two countries.
Serving as the event’s guest of honor, former Haitian Prime Minister Jean Henry Céant delivered a keynote address that called for a renewed approach to Haiti-Dominican relations, rooted in pragmatic realism and a shared forward-looking vision. He stressed that no physical border can undo the deep interconnectedness that binds the two nations, arguing that the shared border region should be framed as a catalyst for collective prosperity rather than a dividing barrier. Céant also reiterated that Haiti’s ongoing reconstruction efforts depend heavily on the contributions of its global diaspora, which he described as a vast reservoir of professional talent and a powerful, far-reaching global influence network.
The official launch ceremony opened with a solemn minute of silence to honor the lives lost in the recent tragedy at Haiti’s Citadelle Laferrière, which claimed more than 50 lives. Following this moment of collective reflection, attendees gathered for a fraternal communal lunch blessed by two local faith leaders: German Ramírez, parish priest of Pedernales, and Julin Acosta. Roughly 140 guests from both sides of the border shared the meal in an atmosphere marked by mutual respect and warm neighborly solidarity.
This year’s opening gathering aligns with the observance of Dominican-Haitian Fraternity Day, a formal occasion established under Dominican Law 11-05. Edwin Paraison, executive director of the Zile Foundation, closed the opening event by extending sincere gratitude to the initiative’s core sponsors—Western Union, VIMENCA, and Sunrise Airways—as well as the Dominican government for its critical logistical support. A full slate of community and collaborative activities will run through April 20, reaffirming the Zile Foundation’s longstanding core mission: to build lasting bridges of peace and cross-cultural cooperation between the Haitian and Dominican peoples.