City of North Miami Exchanges and Partnerships: Partnering with Diaspora Organizations for Success Presented by: Vice Mayor Marie Erlande Steril, MSW Sister Cities International 2013 Annual Conference 1
City of North Miami A 2010 All-America City award winner, North Miami is located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This ethnically diverse community has a rich history dating back to the late 1800 s. North Miami has a population of more than 60,000, making it the fifth largest municipality in Miami-Dade County. 2
City of North Miami Demographics According to the 2010 Census the City s population is approximately: 12% White (Non-Hispanic) 60% Black (Non-Hispanic) 27% Hispanic (Any Race) 1% Other Currently, a third of North Miami s population is of Haitian decent; the second highest of Haitian residents in the United States (City-Data.com.) According to the 2008 Census, the top states of Haitian immigrant settlement are Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Maryland. 3
City of North Miami Sister City International Agreement with Delmas, Haiti In October 2007, by resolution the city of North Miami established a Sister City Program in affiliation with Sister Cities International setting forth a selection criteria. In November 2007, by resolution the City established a Sister Cities program with the city of Delmas, Haiti. On March 25, 2008, North Miami and Delmas entered into a Sister Cities agreement, which was duly executed by the entire North Miami Council. 4
Haitian Diaspora Organizations in Miami-Dade County There are numerous of Haitian Diaspora organizations in Miami- Dade County that include, but are not limited to: Association of Haitian Educators of Dade Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE) Center for Haitian Studies, Health, and Human Services, Inc. (CHS) Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami / Haitian Women of Miami (FANM) Haitian American Citizenship & Voters Education Center, Inc. Haitian American Coalition Haitian American Community Development Corporation (HACDC) Haitian American Historical Society Haitian American Leadership Organization (HALO) 5
Haitian Diaspora Organizations in Miami-Dade County continuation Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida (H.A.N.A.) Haitian American Professionals Coalition (HAPC) Haitian American Youth (HAY) Online, Inc. Haitian Diaspora Organization Haitian Lawyers Association Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition (HAGC) Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center The Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance In addition to support provided by organizations, Miami-Dade County has a strong network of Haitian American Professionals that contribute to the Diaspora both locally and abroad through volunteerism and financial support. 6
Programs and Projects with Sister City Delmas, Haiti July 10 through 13, 2008, a delegation of North Miami elected officials and staff, as well as Miami-Dade County representatives, made an on-site visit to Delmas, Haiti. The visit provided cultural insight, enabling North Miami officials to better serve their constituents. After assessing the need, North Miami donated surplus equipment and other materials to Delmas through Council Resolutions in June 2009 and June 2010. City of North Miami and Miami-Dade County Delegation to Delmas, Haiti Donation of Surplus Equipment in 2009 7
Programs and Projects with Sister City Delmas, Haiti continuation North Miami coordinated an emergency response training workshop for first responders from Delmas from June 23 to 25, 2009, in North Miami. A follow up emergency recovery and Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP) workshop was coordinated for approximately 75 civil protection employees from four municipalities (Delmas, Carrefour, Port-au-Prince, and Tabarre) from July 10 through July 12, 2010, in Delmas, Haiti. 2010 Emergency Recovery and COOP Workshop in Haiti 8
Programs and Projects with Sister City Delmas, Haiti continuation In June 2012, through a collaboration with Miami-Dade County and the city of Delmas, North Miami provided a five-day disaster preparedness training for approximately 200 participants in Delmas, Haiti. Participants included police, civil protection employees, government staff, and elected officials, who were afforded the opportunity to learn from each other and share experiences. 9
Exchange and Partnership The Federal Government of Haiti, has expressed and demonstrated support for the many programs the city of North Miami and Delmas has implemented in Haiti through the Sister Cities International program. North Miami Chief of Police, Marc Elias, Deputy City Manager, Dr. Lumane Pluviose-Claude, President of Haiti, Michel Martelly, and North Miami Vice Mayor Marie Erlande Steril, MSW 10
Programs and Projects with Sister City Delmas, Haiti continuation North Miami hosted a delegation from Delmas and Cabaret, Haiti for a training in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery, from June 12-14, 2013 in the city of North Miami. Recently the city of North Miami, hosted a book drive in support of an exchange of books with Delmas, Haiti. North Miami will provide books in English to the city of Delmas library and the city of North Miami will receive books in Creole and French. Other projects have included, two consecutive toy drives and mobile clinics. North Miami also raised money for relief efforts in response to the earthquake. 11
Benefits of Exchanging and Partnering with Diaspora Organizations Provides support for efficient planning for projects that bring about stronger Diaspora engagement Provides an opportunity to secure tangible resources and invaluable knowledge and experience Provides a cultural advantage in terms of protocol and etiquette Access to different sources of funding and / or sponsorship (monetary and inkind) Enhances the capacity to network and engage in mutually beneficial collaborations that are critical to long-term success Economic empowerment through business exchange and partnerships 12
Future of North Miami Sister Cities International Program Currently, the city of North Miami is exploring the possibilities of establishing a Sister City relationship with a Latin American country. The Hispanic population in North Miami is 27% and continues to grow, providing an incredible opportunity for exchange and partnership with the Hispanic Diaspora. 13
City of North Miami Exchanges and Partnerships: Partnering with Diaspora Organizations for Success Presented by: Vice Mayor Marie Erlande Steril, MSW Sister Cities International 2013 Annual Conference 14