Wyclef Jean has teamed with the United Nations’ World Food Programme agency to present a one-week festival in Haiti aimed at encouraging artistic and cultural development, to boost the economy of the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Jean’s nonprofit organization Yéle Haiti will present The Yéle Fest, which will take place from November. 30 - December. 5.

The event takes place during the Jackmel Film Festival in Haiti and tomorrow, (Dec. 1) Wyclef will give his first concert in his native country of Haiti in over 8 years.

An estimated 50,000 people are expected to attend the concert.

“Wyclef Jean very cleverly uses culture as a means of addressing contemporary social issues, for he has seen the importance of art and culture in enhancing and changing people’s lives in all areas of society,” said WFP’s Representative in Haiti, Mamadou Mbaye.

Wyclef’s Yéle Haiti teamed with the WFP in 2005 and enlisted local rappers and musicians to deliver much needed food and supplies to the hardest hit and most violent neighborhoods in Haiti, Cité Soleil and Bel Air, after the areas were devestated by Hurricanes Dennis and Emily in 2005.

“When I started this foundation, I said that it was not a charity foundation. It is a movement and I am happy to see that Haitian youth identify itself with this movement,” Wyclef said in a statement.

Last week, Wyclef and a number of high level Haitian government officials met on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Jean and the politicians were lobbying members of Congress to pass a bill that would enhance trading for the nation.

Haitian officials hope the deal will create up to 40,000 new jobs.

by Nolan Strong