Populations have always raised questions, well before the emergence of demography as a scientific discipline. Political issues have sometimes skewed the objectivity of this nascent science. For instance, it was enough to mask statistics on Indigenous populations in the 16th century in the name of the "black legend" or the "white legend." While this phenomenon marked the beginnings of demographic science, one might wonder what will become of it as this discipline reaches greater maturity. The stakes do not weaken in the face of schools of thought and political choices. It is often at the whim of the direction of political programs that the treatment of population issues varies from one government term to another, sometimes lacking logical coherence regarding the real needs of society. It is in this context that the current challenges facing education in population and development are emerging.<\/p>
The Postgraduate Studies Program in Population and Development (PEPODE) was established in 1999 as part of a partnership between the State University of Haiti (UEH), the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), and the Center for Applied Planning Techniques (CTPEA). Ten years later, it transformed into a Master's in Population and Development (MAPODE). This program relies on the Center for Population and Development to conduct essential research activities for both education and the population's needs, particularly through outreach efforts and commissioned research. Financed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) until 2013, the program has since enjoyed full autonomy. A wide range of topics has thus marked the theses of students and the research conducted within the center.<\/p>
Despite the current challenges, the program is built on solid ground and is called to strengthen its teaching and research activities, as well as its service to the population and university cooperation for development. The reassuring words of a representative from the Faculty of Human Sciences Coordination Council, on October 10, 2026, motivated the staff to work towards reflecting on the future of Haitian society, with the contribution of the discipline of Population and Development.<\/p>
As part of the launch of the courses for the second academic year of the 7th promotion (2026-2027), on October 10, 2026, we take this opportunity to assess the state of the essays and theses and evaluate their social impact.<\/p>
The inaugural session on October 10 is dedicated to the course "Population, Environment and Climate," taught by Professor Vosh Dathus, Ph.D., as well as that of "Population and Reproductive Health," delivered by Dr. Charles Patrick Almazor. These two researchers have actively supported master's students in the center's research work. In this regard, we wish to highlight the socio-anthropological surveys on family planning among youth in small and medium-sized towns. These research efforts notably informed the master's thesis of Olibert Charles, supervised by Rose Esther Sincimat Fleurant. This work continues the studies on contraceptive use in Haiti. Thélusma and Jean Denis also conducted significant work on reproductive health in the post-earthquake context of 2010. Before them, we should review work completed as part of the Postgraduate Studies Program in population and development around the themes of population and health, as well as Population and Environment. Other works under the Master's in Population and Development will be the subject of another publication.<\/p>
Here are some titles of works associated with the themes: "Population and Health," and "Population and Environment." <\/p>
- Works and authors related to the theme "Population and Health"<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>
Fertility among adolescents in Haiti (Cadet Lamarre); Urbanization and health (Gabin Jean Pierre); Analysis of the health situation in the Nord-Est department of Haiti (Robert Jean); The state of the right to health in Haiti (Jean Simon Saint-Hubert); Effect of communication programs on the sexual behavior of young members of youth clubs and centers during the AIDS epidemic (Bérangère Antoine); Issues of the Haitian health system, causes and consequences of the failure of the project: <\/p><\/div>
"Health for all in the year 2000" (Rénald Fils Aimé); Migration and infectious diseases in urban areas (Riclès Thomas); Study of the determinants of the use of modern health services by heads of households who participated in EMMUS III (Emmlyne Emmanuel); Socio-demographic characteristics of women affected by pre-eclampsia and eclampsia at Isaie Jeanty maternity (Maude Rachelle Chéry); Analysis of the sexual and reproductive behavior of youth in Haiti (Calille, Jean Jacques); AIDS: A burden for individuals and a challenge to overcome (Jacques Emmanuel Agénor).<\/p>
- Works and authors related to the theme "Population and Environment"<\/strong><\/li><\/ol><\/div>
The socio-economic and environmental consequences of internal migration in the metropolitan area (Fritz Fleur Aimé); The implications of deforestation of Morne l'Hôpital on the city of Port-au-Prince (Roland Léger); Causes and consequences of the socio-economic and environmental problems in the country (Jean Romel Rodney); Waste management from the perspective of a sustainable environment: a comparative study between a northern city (Gembmoux, Belgium) and a southern city (Bamako, Mali) (Yves Sainsine); Contribution to the integration of slum populations in solid waste management (Fred Alix Coutin).<\/p>
In this article, we limit ourselves to these two themes, but there are other studies on migration, demographic themes, gender and development, decentralization and citizen participation, population and education, land use planning and urban development, public policy, youth and employment; public policy and child protection.<\/p>
To conclude, we wish to draw the public's attention to a major work focused on environmental protection, addressing the sensitive issue of mining extraction experiences in Haiti. This work is titled as follows: “The contribution of mining extractivism to the formation of a repulsive socio-economic and environmental context in Haiti: case study of the SEDREN experience at Mémé Bertrand (Artibonite)<\/u><\/i>.” This thesis was prepared and defended in 2024 by Peterson DEROLUS and evaluated by a jury composed of: Schwarz Coulange MERONE Ph.D, research director and Képler AURELIEN, Ph.D, co-director; Vosh DATHUS, Ph.D, president, and Paul Antoine BIEN-AIME, Ph.D, critical reader.<\/p>
- Works and authors related to the theme "Population and Environment"<\/strong><\/li><\/ol><\/div>
