Political Attitudes That Deter Youth Engagement

For several decades, Haitian society has closely observed the careers of its political leaders, before, during, and after their terms of office. These individual trajectories are not without impact on how youth perceive politics and public service. In a country facing numerous economic, social, and institutional challenges, young people seek benchmarks, role models, and reasons for hope. They scrutinize the behavior of those who have held positions of responsibility to find signs of consistency, patriotism, and loyalty to national interests.
However, certain recurring attitudes adopted by former political officials provoke misunderstanding and disillusionment. They sometimes give the impression that politics is more a means of personal advancement than a genuine commitment to serving the community. This perception can discourage young people from engaging in public life, reinforcing the idea that individual interest takes precedence over the common destiny. Three behaviors, in particular, deserve examination, as they strongly influence the image of politics among new generations.
First attitude: The opportunistic back-and-forth between abroad and Haiti
First, we observe the case of individuals living abroad who only return to Haiti after being appointed to a political position. Once their term ends, they almost automatically leave the country to rejoin their family members abroad. Some do not even regularly spend weekends or holidays in Haiti during their tenure.
This attitude gives the impression that public service is perceived as a mere professional opportunity, rather than a deep commitment to the nation. For young people, this sends an ambiguous message: serving the state would not be an act of rootedness and lasting responsibility, but a temporary interlude in a personal career focused externally. Such a perception weakens the sense of national belonging and the idea of sacrifice for the common good.
Second attitude: Permanent voluntary exile after state service
The second attitude concerns those who live in Haiti but, after holding an appointed or elected position, choose to permanently leave the country. Often, their financial resources and real estate are already located abroad.
This behavior raises ethical and symbolic questions. When a former public official transfers their life and interests outside the country they administered, it can be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the nation's future. For young people, who struggle daily to build their future in Haiti, this departure resembles a disavowal. It suggests that even those who led institutions do not sufficiently believe in the country's potential to invest their own future there.
Third attitude: Silence after political experience
The third attitude is that of officials who, after their political careers, remain in Haiti but retreat into silence, as if they no longer existed in public debate.
However, the experience gained at the highest levels of the state constitutes valuable capital. By completely withdrawing from intellectual and civic life, these former leaders deprive society, and especially youth, of advice, testimonies, and analyses that could enlighten the future. Their silence creates a void: it prevents the transmission of experience and the formation of a political culture based on memory and critical reflection. These attitudes contribute to weakening young people's trust in politics. To rekindle hope and encourage civic engagement, it is essential that former officials embody continuity, responsibility, and national solidarity. Youth need examples showing that state service is a lasting commitment to society. Pierre Josué Agénor Cadet