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UNIVERSITY OF FONDWA-2004: a program of post-secondary education in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and management specifically for Haiti’s rural poor.
 “On the eve of the country’s bicentennial, a university is to be established that should help to bring the people of Haiti, once again, to the forefront of popular struggles for freedom, justice, and democracy. The university will focus on reversing the ecological devastation and economic dependence that have resulted from decades of oppression, violence, invasion and occupation. Its founding is a hopeful and promising step towards creation of an egalitarian society of informed and involved citizens. ”Noam Chomsky
After 15 years of creating and testing various components of a model of rural community development in Fondwa, the Association of Peasants of Fondwa (APF) inaugurated in January of 2004 a “university of the mountains” modeled on the successful University of Guantanamo (Cuba).
Current forms of agriculture, particularly in the mountainous regions of Haiti, result in low production and are neither sustainable nor competitive. Profit from agriculture is also low, resulting in very little economic activity in general. The situation is made worse by the effects of economic globalization. All these factors affect not only economic development, but social and cultural development as well. Additionally they impact the distribution of wealth, the conservation of the environment and the quality of life.
In addition to the above-mentioned factors, throughout the entire country not more than 35% of secondary school graduates have a chance to pursue higher education. Of those who do attend either the state university or one of several private universities virtually none (including those trained in agronomy) choose to work where peasant farmers face the most difficult challenges to survival in the 80% of rural Haiti that consists of steep mountain slopes.
The vision of a “university of the mountains” of Haiti is intended to address all of these factors. This vision is has become a concrete reality in the University of Fondwa 2004, a “work in progress” bringing together collaborators from Haiti, France, Canada, Holland, the United States, and Cuba.
The mission of the university is:
“to train a new generation of citizens who participate with determination and conviction in the sustainable and integrated development of their country and to develop a sense of citizenship, where students place the needs of the community as high as their own.”
The objective of the university is:
“to provide quality higher education and the possibility of permanent employment for the young people of the rural areas of Haiti who have completed their secondary schooling, and are willing to become involved in sustainable development projects in their own communities.”
The university intends “to train and create professionals capable of achieving agricultural development which is compatible to mountainous ecosystems, including the rational use of renewable natural resources, as well as technological, human and financial resources.”
Classes began at the University of Fondwa-2004 on January12 with 20 students enrolled from various regions of Haiti.
To sponsor a students or to make a donation to the needs of the University of Fondwa-2004, go to the DONATIONS page now!
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