montfort alexis_web.jpgFORT LAUDERDALE — Montfort Alexis, a family services advocate and former news reporter, will talk about his book, The New Haitian State: Modernizing the Public Administration toward Good Governance in a three-hour session Saturday at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center.


In the book, written in French, Alexis argues that modern theories and principles of public administration can help propel the re-establishment of the Haitian state in the aftermath of the earthquake in January 2010 that killed more than 200,000 people and left the capital Port-au-Prince in ruins.  

One major cause of the collapse of the state, he says, is what he calls Haiti’s institutional deficiencies. Building a sound state with an effective system of service delivery and management will force decision-makers and those who implement policy to acquire the skills related to areas such as planning, public budgeting, public policies, human resources management, administrative law and ethical standards.

The author encourages the Haitian government to undertake true administrative reforms that will lead to good governance, and establish proper mechanisms to tackle corruption in the public institutions. 

Alexis studied both in Haiti and in the United States, completing the Master’s program in Public Administration at Nova Southeastern University. He has a bachelor’s in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University.

He graduated from law school in Haiti, Faculté de Droits et des Sciences Economiques des Gonaïves, and obtained a certificate in journalism from Alliance Francaise in Port-de-Paix, Haiti.

Before fleeing Haiti in March 1994 for political reasons, Alexis worked as a reporter for National Radio and Tropic FM from late 1990 to early 1994. He also taught French, literature and social studies in high school in Port-de-Paix, his hometown.

Since 2001, the North Lauderdale resident has been working in the Community Action Agency of Broward County’s Family Success Division.


IF YOU GO
WHAT: Book discussion with Montfort Alexis
WHEN: 2:30-5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 21.
WHERE:
The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center,  2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
CONTACT: 954-625-2810