Launch of “Club Zanmi Lanati”: a youth initiative for climate protection in Haiti.
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, Delmas, Haiti, was the scene of the official inauguration of the “Club Zanmi Lanati”. This initiative, which brings together more than 30 young people committed to the environment and sustainable development, is led by Savela Jacques Berenji and Louino Robillard, the first Haitians to have joined the diploma program of “SUNX, Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS)”.
The steering committee of the “Club Zanmi Lanati” includes influential figures such as Came Stefada Poulard, environmental journalist, Dr. Cassandra Jean François, coordinator of the Konbit San San Pou association, and Gladimy Jean, co-founder of HAITIAN PARADISE. Twenty-seven other young leaders, students and professionals from various civil society organisations also support this initiative.
The club’s main objective is to combat the devastating effects of climate change in Haiti, marked by high temperatures, extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels. These phenomena severely impact the livelihoods of the population. The “Club Zanmi Lanati” has the mission of promoting responsible tourism, training ecological citizens and generating tourist and cultural wealth for sustainable development.
Louino Robillard, a community development expert, stressed the importance of raising awareness and mobilizing local communities to protect the environment. “Every action counts, let’s work together,” he said, expressing his hope that all Haitians will become key players in the fight against global warming.
Savela Jacques Berenji, co-founder of the club, aspires to a newfound stability in Haiti and the revival of tourism thanks to eco-responsible visitors. She also hopes that Haitians will travel within the country to enjoy local cultural and tourist resources. For her, tourism can be an economic lever for the sustainable development of Haiti.
Came Stefada Poulard, a member of the club’s committee, encourages state authorities to respect the commitments made at international conferences. Haiti has signed almost all the agreements on climate change, but the state’s actions do not correspond to these commitments. “The state, like civil society, must take its responsibilities,” she said.
Dr. Cassandra Jean François presented the 17 Sustainable Development Goals at the launch, highlighting Haiti’s lag in almost all of them. She particularly emphasized Goal 13, which concerns actions against global warming, saying that this should be a priority for all actors. As a physician, she cannot remain passive and insists on the need for immediate action.
Gladimy Jean presented the awareness and mobilization part in favor of tourist ecology and actions against global warming. He did exercises with the participants on the behaviors to adopt during tourist tours, insisting on not leaving waste harmful to the environment on the sites visited.
Louino Robillard shared his satisfaction with the launch of the club, emphasizing that it is an essential step to encourage ecological responsibility within Haitian society. He calls on the population to mobilize against the effects of climate change and to undertake concrete actions for a more sustainable future.
In short, “Club Zanmi Lanati” is much more than just an initiative. It is a strategic and necessary response to the urgent environmental challenges facing Haiti. By promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness among citizens about the importance of protecting their environment, this club aspires to transform the country’s ecological consciousness and establish a model of development that respects the planet for future generations. With the commitment and determination of its members, “Club Zanmi Lanati” has the potential to become a major player in the global fight against climate change, inspiring others to follow their example.
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