Brazil and Haiti sign agreement to build technical school

The governments of Brazil and Haiti signed a technical cooperation protocol this Wednesday (Nov. 9) to build a vocational training center in Haiti. The objective is to contribute to the training of young professionals in civil engineering, sewing, building electricity, carpentry, tourist operation, and mechanics of cars and motorcycles, to qualify the local workforce.

Under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the project will receive $17 million and will be coordinated by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and carried out by the National Industrial Training Service (SENAI) of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

During the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister José Serra said he was confident that the initiative would contribute to strengthen the ties of cooperation and solidarity between both countries.

"We have a long-term commitment to improve Haiti. We are sensitive to the challenges presented to the Haitian people and we have sought to make the best contribution for Haiti to establish its democracy, to develop the country, and overcome poverty," said the minister, pointing out projects carried out in the past few years, like the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (UNSTAMIH) led by Brazil, construction of hospitals, implementation of agricultural projects, installation of tanks, and training of Haitian police. "There is, in Haiti, an extraordinary number of projects of great importance being run with our cooperation, especially in the Health sector."

Haiti's Secretary of State for Vocational Training, Jean David Geneste, said the conclusion of the agreement would provide access to quality professional education for many young Haitians. "This protocol will also allow Haitian and Brazilian peoples to strengthen their ties of cooperation and friendship."

This will be the tenth major SENAI project abroad and will benefit young people aged between 16 and 25. The project aims to train 3,000 students a year.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta