« Let us unite our scientific interests, our research objects and our feathers to forge Caribbean resilience through the scientific Francophonie: Let us publish together, let us innovate sustainably! »
Dear colleagues presidents, rectors, vice-rectors and representatives of the member institutions of the Caribbean region of the AUF, a thought in solidarity for our islands beaten by the winds of vulnerability.
First of all, let me open this profession of faith with an emotional and supportive thought for the Caribbean people who were hit by Hurricane Melissa. In Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and other Caribbean territories, our island communities are facing a tragedy that upsets us all.
I salute the memory of the victims of Hurricane Melissa, and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. These events are a cruel reminder of the vulnerability of our island areas to land hazards, climate change and devastating cyclones. As francophone academics and scientists in the Caribbean, we cannot remain passive. Today, more than ever, we must rely on francophone scientific diplomacy – as magnified by the Manifesto adopted in Cairo in 2022 – and on fair scientific partnerships to develop our distinctive competence together. Strengthen international Francophone publications on reducing Caribbean environmental vulnerabilities. Through the united voice of our knowledge, we will transform these challenges into opportunities for collective resilience.
Who am I?
An actor of the scientific Francophonie at the service of the Caribbean. I am Professor Evens EMMANUAL, Vice-President of Research and Innovation at Quisqueya University (UniQ) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Doctor of Environmental Sciences, authorized to lead research, I dedicated my career to academic excellence and Francophone cooperation. Fellow of the first doctoral cohort of the AUF, I sat for 14 years on the Regional Commission of Experts of the Caribbean Bureau, contributed for 6 years to the Scientific Council of the AUF, coordinated for 8 years a Master of French research funded by the Agency, and led for 6 years the Doctoral College of Haiti. Today, I chair the Network of Responsible and Inclusive Francophone Universities (RUFRI).
My candidacy, supported by the Rector of UniQ, Professor Jacky Lumarque, fits into the context of the 19th Quadrennial General Assembly of AUF in Dakar (3-5 November 2025). It aims at a seat on the Board of Directors (CA) for the Caribbean region, with a priority commitment within the Commission of member establishments. This committee, a pillar of institutional solidarity, has the task of strengthening the links between our universities and sharing the common objectives of the AUF: networking, expertise, innovative projects, internationalisation, advocacy and humanist solidarity, as recalled in the Statutes of the AUF. In a multicultural Caribbean space – from Haiti to Cuba, through the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the French Antilles – I bring the voices of our institutions to the regional challenges: environmental crises, educational inequalities and the need for a visible and impacting scientific Francophonie.
My objectives and values
A radiant and supportive scientific Francophonie. Aligned with the Manifesto for a Francophone Scientific Diplomacy and the White Paper of the AUF, I firmly believe that the Francophonie is not a relic of the past, but a lever for the future. Our shared values – cultural and linguistic diversity, equal opportunities, active solidarity, scientific ethics, tolerance and dialogue – must guide our actions. What I want to improve?
The visibility and impact of Francophone research, too often overshadowed in a scientific world dominated by English.
Why?
Because, as the AUF notes, publications in French are « insufficient in number and not visible due to lack of SEO». In the Caribbean, this hinders our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on climate resilience.
My goal
Transforming our space into a francophone innovation hub, promoting positive discrimination in solidarity for our journals and researchers.
My concrete proposals
Actions for a boosted French publication. If you elect, I will engage through the Commission of member institutions for targeted, realistic and measurable initiatives, consistent with the Manifesto's priorities: institutionalizing mobility, valuing publications, standardizing quality, democratizing digital, stimulating employability and disseminating conflict mediation. My program focuses on the promotion and considerable increase of the scientific publication in French, with a Caribbean focus:
1. Proposal for a « French scientific publishing house » : Study its feasibility at GC, based on a fair economic model. This structure would publish journals, collective books and conference proceedings in French on key topics (environmental vulnerabilities, SDGs, youth entrepreneurship, AI, etc.). It would strengthen political-scientific networking and French-speaking expertise, including Caribbean, in partnership with the International Academy of Scientific Francophonie (AIFS).
2. Proposal for a regional programme to support publications: Launch an AUF-Caribbean fund to subsidize French-language publications annually in our universities (Haiti, Cuba, RD, Jamaica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, etc.), with open-access publishing and SEO training workshops. Objective: double the visibility of French-language journals by 2029, particularly of the Revue Études Caribeennes.
3. Proposal for the creation of the Caribbean Network for Scientific Mediation : Organize annual forums to share good practices on crisis management (climatic, social), disseminating practical guides in French, thus promoting institutional solidarity and the employability of young researchers.
These projects will be based on an approach « standard-adapted » and prospective, with an annual evaluation of the results to ensure their impact.
My commitments
Rigor, transparency and full involvement Elected, I am committed to exemplary governance: active participation in GC and Commission meetings, transparent progress reports, and openness to dialogue with all members. Despite my current health constraints, I am ready to speak in videoconference at the regional election conference (Monday, November 3) to present this platform and answer your questions. My mandate will be guided by ethical rigour and transparency, serving an autonomous and inclusive UFA, as set out in its Statutes. List of candidates:
- Candidate : Evens EMMANUAL, Vice-President for Research and Innovation, UniQ (Haiti) – Course: Doctorate/HRD in Environmental Sciences; 20+ years of AUF commitment; President RUFRI.
Your voice is about this candidate, for a strong and united Caribbean representation.
My call to vote
Together, let us write the future of the scientific Francophonie in the Caribbean!
Dear voters, your trust is the foundation of our collective ambition. Vote for me on the AUF Board of Directors – and especially for the Commission of Member Institutions – so that the French-speaking Caribbean is not an erased voice, but a powerful choir of knowledge and solidarity.
Let us publish in French, innovate for our islands, and build a lasting resilience!
Let's turn the scientific Francophonie in the Caribbean: Let's Publish to Act. The Caribbean in the Heart of the AUF. For a frank and decisive vote.
Professor Evens EMMANUAL
Vice-President for Research and Innovation
Quisqueya University, Haiti
Contact: evens.emmanuel@uniq.edu
AUF Caribbean: Together for a winning scientific Francophonie.
