Guiding Principles

HaitiCorps International (HCI) is committed to justice, equality, and empowerment, and will use a rights-based approach to all of its programs. Through this approach, we will increase the capacity of the Haitian people (the rights-holders) to claim their rights as well as of the Haitian government, NGOs, and private businesses (the duty-bearers) to fulfill their obligations to uphold the universal and inalienable rights of the people.

By facilitating clearer lines of communication between the state, NGOs, and private businesses, HCI provides a model for progressive development that strengthens these sectors and facilitates their ability to function.

HCI also seeks to serve as a model for NGOs wishing to strengthen relationships with the Haitian state and operate under the principles of transparency and collaboration. Thus, HCI staff and members will be trained in rights-based programming, and host agencies will be asked to demonstrate their commitment to human rights principles.

Partnership with government ministries will be based on the premise that the Haitian state must serve its people, that corruption has no part in the country’s future, and that basic services and infrastructure should be in the hands of the population.

Private industry has a crucial role to play in the rebuilding of Haiti, and HCI will engage with businesses that pay workers fair wages, extend rights protections, and invest in human capital. NGOs will be selected in part based on their adherence to human rights principles.