EDSEG graduates called to uphold the legacy of Monferrier Dorval

It was with emotion and gravity that Mrs. Sandra Paulemon addressed the new graduates of the School of Law and Economic Sciences of Gonaïves. Before the institution's board of directors, representatives of constituted bodies, the class's godfather, and families, the minister emphasized the particular responsibility conferred by the name chosen by this class: Monferrier Dorval, an eminent jurist and professor who was assassinated, a symbol of commitment to the rule of law in Haiti.

"This name is more than a symbol. It is a requirement. It is a code of conduct. It is a commitment," Minister Paulemon stated at the outset, not hiding her pride in being the godmother of this class.

A legacy that obligates

For the minister, the tribute to Monferrier Dorval cannot be reduced to a simple memorial ceremony. It commits the graduates to follow "a tradition of intellectual rigor, discipline, excellence, and fidelity to the fundamental principles of law."

Addressing the young jurists directly, she reminded them that law is not limited to texts. "It organizes society, protects freedoms, frames responsibilities, and guarantees the balance necessary for the proper functioning of any nation," she insisted.

Law, the foundation of development

Dr. Paulemon, also a member of the government, used her speech to establish a direct link between justice and development. "There can be neither sustainable development, nor effective cooperation, nor economic and social progress without a solid, stable, and respected legal framework," she stressed.

In her position as Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, she says she sees every day "how legal security fosters trust, encourages investment, and enables the implementation of sustainable public policies." That is why, according to her, the graduates' responsibility goes far beyond their individual paths: it "directly participates in the future of the country."

A call for rigor and integrity

The class's godmother did not avoid the difficulties of the Haitian context. In a society seeking stability and trust, she reminded, the role of jurists is essential to consolidate institutions, strengthen the credibility of justice, and build a fairer future.

She urged the graduates to always prioritize:

• rigor over ease,

• justice over personal interest,

• ethics over dangerous compromises,

• respect for the law over any form of arbitrariness.

"Refuse ease. Refuse indifference. Refuse the abandonment of principles," she declared, before concluding with a solemn message of encouragement: "Be the artisans of a respected justice. Be the builders of strong institutions. Be the constant defenders of the common good."

A class placed under the sign of lasting inspiration

Addressing her "godchildren," as she liked to call them, Dr. Sandra Paulemon asked them to ensure that the name of Monferrier Dorval remains "not only that of a tribute, but that of a lasting inspiration in [their] professional and human journey."

The EDSEG ceremony thus offered a rare moment of gravity and hope, in a country where justice and institutions struggle to find their bearings. It is now up to the young graduates to prove that they are worthy of the name they carry.