Haitian educators win 2024 McNulty Prize

Anseye Pou Ayiti, a Haiti-based education organization, has been awarded the 2024 John P. McNulty Prize, marking the first time a Haitian entity has received this recognition. The award, presented by the McNulty Foundation in partnership with the Aspen Institute, comes with a $150,000 grant to support the organization’s ongoing initiatives.

Co-founded by Nedgine Paul Deroly and Jean-Claude Brizard, Anseye Pou Ayiti aims to transform Haiti’s education system by emphasizing Haitian identity and civic leadership. The organization’s model diverges from traditional approaches, focusing on community-driven solutions to educational challenges.

“At the heart of Anseye Pou Ayiti is the belief that those who have experienced inequity should be leading the movement for change. We’re working to redefine leadership as rooted in collective action,” said Deroly. This year also marks a significant milestone this year as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Key performance indicators suggest the organization’s approach is yielding results. Anseye Pou Ayiti reports a 90% passing rate for its students, significantly outperforming the national average of 41%. Additionally, 95% of program fellows pursue careers in educational equity, potentially creating a multiplier effect in the sector.

The organization’s impact extends beyond direct educational outcomes. Anseye Pou Ayiti has influenced broader acceptance of mother tongue instruction in Haiti, and some of its alumni have secured positions within the Ministry of Education. The organization also reports that its community action projects have addressed issues such as school and health access, technology training, and community-based financial loans.

“This year’s winners recognize that communities are not passive actors, but fertile laboratories filled with people fighting for a better future for all. These leaders have walked boldly alongside communities facing some of our most urgent problems and elevated their ideas into action,” said McNulty Foundation President and Aspen Institute Trustee Anne Welsh McNulty. “For communities who have been exploited, polluted, or ignored, these organizations are equipping them with the tools to realize a brighter future.”

The McNulty Prize, which recognizes social impact initiatives globally, selected Anseye Pou Ayiti alongside two other organizations this year. The Solutions Project, led by Gloria Walton, focuses on climate justice in the United States, while Resilience Force, founded by Saket Soni, works to support disaster recovery workers.

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