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As part of Haiti Day at the Osaka World Expo, an international conference will take place from 18:00 to 20:00 under the theme: “Haiti, Mother of Freedom and Universal Dignity,” focusing on three key pillars: Inspire Life, Connect Life, Save Life. The event will open at 18:00 with an official welcome by the Director of the Haitian Pavilion, who will greet attendees and set the tone for the day.

Following this, the General Commissioner of Haiti at the Expo will present the conference theme and outline its significance. Immediately afterward, a short video will be screened, highlighting the historic Bois-Caïman ceremony—a pivotal moment in Haiti’s fight for freedom. The moderator will then introduce the context of the conference and present the four panelists. Each panelist will deliver a 20-minute presentation, followed by brief audience interactions, focusing on the three thematic pillars.

The conference will conclude at 20:00 with fostering informal exchanges and networking among participants. This event will blend history, knowledge, and conviviality, celebrating the core values of Haiti.

【Reflection】

On 11 August 2025, the Haiti Pavilion had the honour of organising a conference as part of the Peace and Human Rights Week. For us, this was a moment of great significance, both for our country and for the universal message we wished to convey. The event was a success, not only due to the quality of the presentations but also because of the depth of the discussions it generated.

Our choice to include this programme in the week dedicated to peace and human rights was no coincidence. It reflects a strong conviction: Haiti remains a founding nation of the modern ideal of liberty. Since its independence in 1804, achieved through an unprecedented struggle, Haiti has continually reminded the world that freedom, dignity, and equality are not privileges but universal rights. This conference was therefore conceived as a continuation of this historic vocation, as well as a contemporary affirmation.

Haiti is not defined solely by its heroic past; it also positions itself as a universal source of decolonial, resilient, and creative thought. The initiative of 11 August thus brought together the voices of speakers from diverse backgrounds, offering a space for reflection, emotion, and creation. Together, we examined legacies, shared experiences, and outlined new perspectives on today’s struggles: those for peace, justice, sovereignty, and the recognition of peoples.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】

Beyond this gathering, our ambition is clear: to make the Haiti Pavilion a living space of memory and a projection towards the future. This will include the following:

Heritage showcase: exhibition of archival photographs, souvenirs, and rare images from the 1949 World Expo held in Port-au-Prince. This staging will highlight Haiti’s commitment to peace and its positive presence in the community of nations, with a special tribute to Azor, a symbolic Haitian musician particularly appreciated in Japan.

Historical and cultural dimension: production of video capsules and a chronological timeline tracing, from 1804 to 2025, the major milestones of our journey and our key contributions to the world in the fields of freedom, culture, and solidarity.

Thus, the conference of 11 August was not just a one-off event. It marked the opening of a broader cycle, aimed at positioning Haiti within a dynamic of visibility, dialogue, and inspiration. It demonstrated that our country, while remaining faithful to its revolutionary heritage, continues to project itself as a universal actor in the struggle for human dignity.