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Haiti Policy House – Contributor Guidelines for Guest Writers

Last Updated: May 2025

We welcome submissions from experts and practitioners who are passionate about Haiti’s future and want to contribute to evidence-based dialogue, policy reform, and global engagement. Below is our format guide to help writers develop impactful, publishable pieces aligned with Haiti Policy House’s voice and mission.

  • Purpose: Research-driven insight to inform policymakers and professionals
    Length: 1,200–2,000 words
    Tone: Objective, strategic, and policy-focused

    Structure:

    1. Executive Summary (150–200 words):

      • What’s the issue?

      • Why does it matter now?

      • What should be done?

    2. Background/Context:

      • Define the problem using historical and/or geopolitical framing.

      • Use data, key facts, and references where needed.

    3. Analysis:

      • Offer clear arguments supported by evidence.

      • Include policy implications or regional/global relevance.

      • Use subheadings to organize your arguments.

    4. Recommendations:

      • Provide 2–5 actionable policy solutions.

      • These can be targeted to Haiti, the U.S., multilateral actors, or civil society.

    5. Conclusion:

      • Brief summary and call to action or reflection on long-term significance.

    Examples:

    “Rethinking U.S.-Haiti Security Cooperation in the Era of Transnational Crime”

    “Why the Windward Passage Still Matters: Haiti and Maritime Geopolitics”

  • Purpose: Personal, persuasive writing that brings public attention to an issue
    Length: 600–900 words
    Tone: Compelling, accessible, argument-driven

    Structure:

    1. Hook / Lead Paragraph:

      • Grab the reader. Use a personal story, bold claim, or striking fact.

    2. Argument:

      • State your opinion clearly.

      • Use logic, examples, and personal experience or expertise to support it.

    3. Broader Significance:

      • Connect to Haiti’s current context, policy failures, or global dynamics.

    4. Takeaway:

      • End with urgency, a provocative insight, or a clear demand for change.

    Examples:

    “Instability in Haiti Is a Business Model—And the Profiteers Live in Miami”

    “Don’t Call Us a Failed State. Call Out the Systems That Keep Failing Us.”

    • Original content only: We do not publish pieces already published elsewhere.

    • Citations: If you quote data or studies, use hyperlinks or footnotes (Chicago or APA).

    • Tone & language: Clear, concise, and compelling. Avoid jargon unless explained.

    • Audience: Our readers include U.S. policymakers, Haitian professionals, journalists, and diaspora leaders. Write for impact.

    • Be bold, but grounded in fact.

    • Avoid overused phrases like "Haiti is the poorest country…" unless you’re reframing it.

    • Think of the reader: What do you want them to understand, feel, or do after reading?