The Haiti Support Group (HSG) is a civil society organisation working with progressive, participatory groups in Haiti that are working for change to:

-      improve the standard of living of the poor majority

-      build genuine democracy and means of participation

-      ensure respect for all human rights

We work to amplify the voices of those civil society organisations (CSOs) who are genuinely committed to empowering the poor majority, whether they are trade unions, womens' organisations, peasant groups, neighbourhood associations or others.

The HSG itself is a not-for-profit, unincorporated association. Our work is carried out on the basis of our objectives (see our constitution) and agreements we have with funding bodies, on a voluntary and/or consultancy basis and by the members of our Executive Committee. We are not a charity, since we are engaged - in the broadest possible sense - in politics, through campaigning, lobbying and information work. However, we have no affinity with any Haitian political party.

We welcome membership applications from anyone willing to subscribe to the objectives set out in our constitution. To join the HSG click here.

The Executive Committee, elected at the AGM on 30 June 2012, is as follows:

Chair: Christian Wisskirchen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Former UN Human Rights Officer in Haiti, founder member HSG, frequent visitor to the country, Head of International Relations at the Bar Council of England & Wales.

Secretary: Andy Leak

Professor of French, University College London. Research areas: Sartre and Existentialism; experimental writing; the contemporary novel; Barthes; critical theory, literature and politics in Haiti.

Treasurer: John McCay

Company Secretary at the Stockwell Partnership, a leading community charity in South London.

Graham Campbell

Network Development Coordinator, The African & Caribbean Network Ltd, Glasgow, UK.

Eve Hayes de Kalaf

Specialist in Haiti-Dominican Republic relations. She lived in the DR for over five years and has a background in international development, consultancy and communications in the region.

Coordinator: Anne McConnell-Wisskirchen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

HSG founder member. Haitian-Northern-Irish descent, fluent in Haitian and French. Specialist interest in the socio-linguistics of Haitian and teaches Kreyòl.

Senior Consultant: Phillip Wearne,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Journalist, television producer, founder member of HSG divides time between London and Washington DC, coordinates with US NGOs on Haiti, monitors emerging US aid and development policy towards Haiti.

HSG Consultant: Andy Taylor

Interpreter (free-lance). Former print worker and union organiser, worked two years in Haiti in that capacity for the Haitian language paper Libète. Speaks fluent Haitian and French.

Funding of the HSG

The work of the HSG is funded through membership contributions, donations, and through grants from NGOs working in solidarity with the Haitian people. We are very thankful to our members and donors and we gratefully acknowledge the generous support received from Oxfam GB, Christian Aid and CAFOD for our work in 2012/13.

NOTE:

The HSG is supporting demands from Haitians to build a state that is capable of taking action to lessen the impact of natural disasters. The HSG does not carry out humanitarian relief work. It also does not collect money for humanitarian operations.