UNPHU Rector: “Geographic reality forces us to strive to find ways of understanding with Haiti”

Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), held the third day of the UNPHU forum on Social Studies, Present and Future of Relations with Haiti: The Challenges of Good Neighborhood. On this occasion, it was carried out in the border area of the country, in the municipality of Restauración, in the province of Dajabón. The activity is the continuation of the seminars held on January 18 and February 22 of the current year.

In the keynote address, UNPHU Rector architect Miguel Fiallo Calderón, expressed that the activity means another effort to promote a wide and productive discussion: “We are two countries with different history, language, customs and folklore, which few things we have in common, but the geographical reality forces us to strive to find ways of understanding, based on absolute respect for those differences, which in the end should widen the paths of a much needed peaceful coexistence.”

“It is precisely these differences, and not a border line, that should enable us, on both sides, to reach promising cooperation agreements for the benefit of our two countries,” he expressed.

 He acknowledged that the current times are very difficult for bilateral relations, due to an uncontrolled increase in illegal immigration, and that this phenomenon deepens differences and encourages distancing: “We pay a very high cost for the uncontrolled rise of such immigration, in terms of employment, health, education, urban marginalization, etc., to degrees that in the future could deepen distances and narrow the possibility of bilateral understandings.”

Through this activity, UNPHU confirms its support for the convening of the meeting by the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, joining efforts at the academic level, with those of the Government and other forces at the national level that show concern and explore possible joint solutions to the existing problem with the neighboring country.

On this day, on behalf of rector Fiallo Calderón, Dr. Leonardo Conde, dean of the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences. Miguel Guerrero, director of the UNPHU Forum for Social Studies, as well as prominent personalities from the province of Dajabón and UNPHU authorities participated in the discussion.

The event is part of the university’s efforts to broaden the discussion of the fundamental issues on the national agenda, within an academic environment and a spirit of cooperation and openness. The activity took place on March 17, 2023, in the province of Dajabón.