By News Services

NEW YORK - Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) and founder of the Haiti Support Project, recently announced plans are in full gear for the Third Pilgrimage to Haiti to promote cultural-historical tourism and economic/business investment in the first Black Republic in this hemisphere.
Scheduled for October 8-12, the Third Pilgrimage will mark five years since HSP mobilized more than 500 African Americans, Haitian Americans and friends of Haiti to participate in Cruising into History in August of 2004 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Haitian Revolution.

As an outgrowth of the cruise, HSP launched the Model City Initiative to transform the town of Milot, which sits at the foot of the Citadel and Sans Souci Palace in the northern region of Haiti, into a Mecca for cultural-historical tourism and people based economic development. HSP organized highly successful Pilgrimages to Haiti in 2006 and 2007 in support of the Model City Initiative.

Clearly excited about the forthcoming event, Dr. Daniels said, “This year we hope to organize the highest profile and most influential delegation of African Americans, Haitian Americans and friends of Haiti ever to make the pilgrimage.”

According to Dr. Daniels, a major goal of the pilgrimages is to combat the negative images of Haiti generated by “unsympathetic media” through an opportunity for participants to meet Haiti's people and experience the culture firsthand. “We believe people should come and see for themselves the rich history, culture and irrepressible energy/dynamism of the Haitian people. In that spirit, every person of African descent and friend of Haiti should visit the Citadel at least once in a lifetime,” he said.

Considered one of the great wonders of the world, the Citadel is a magnificent mountaintop fortress built by King Henri Christophe to defend the Haitian Revolution against further French invasions.

In addition to visiting the Citadel, the delegation will be briefed by U.S. embassy staff, meet with ministers of government and participate in roundtable discussions hosted by women's organizations and political, business and civic leaders. The delegation will also visit other important cultural sites, shop for fabulous Haitian art and handicrafts and relax on one of Haiti's gorgeous beaches. A reception at the presidential palace will be the highlight of the pilgrimage. Dr. Daniels envisions the participants in the pilgrimage returning as ambassadors of hope for Haiti.