GFDD/Funglode Stand Sees over 6,500 Visitors During Passport D.C. 2015

Over 6,500 people enjoyed a day full of Dominican flavor on Saturday at Passport DC, an annual event in Washington D.C. in which foreign embassies open their doors to the public. Visitors at the Dominican Embassy on 22nd Street not only danced merengue and bachata and snacked on Dominican tapas, they also learned about GFDD/Funglode’s various projects and programs and took home many of the foundations’ products and
publications.

In addition, GFDD/Funglode had the privilege of interviewing the new Dominican Ambassador in the United States, José Tomás Pérez, who spoke with the Communications and Media team about the importance of this event and the success of this year’s huge attendance.

“This event has now become a tradition. We are presenting different facets of the country to the community in
Washington, not just in the area of culture and traditions but also our national characteristics, such as food, drinks, etc. In the end, it is a very important event because it provides an opportunity for thousands of people to enjoy who we are – a country with a cheerful spirit and our most outstanding trait: human warmth and kindness,” said Ambassador Tomás Pérez.

The Ambassador highlighted the work alliance between the Dominican Embassy and GFDD/Funglode,
active for several years now, as a “very positive relationship wherein both organizations have benefitted.”

Ligia Reid Bonetti, Minister Counselor in Washington D.C., said the Dominican Embassy has, in recent years, been the most visited embassy among small countries at Passport D.C.

GFDD and Funglode presented their many programs promoting sustainability, the environment, technology, education, cultural heritage, and internships and
scholarships.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet and speak with GFDD team members and learn about the many projects and initiatives offered by the foundation, including the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), InteRDom, the Global Dominican Academic Exchange, the Fellows Program, and Collaboration with the UN, among many others.

GFDD Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic, explained that the foundation organizes and proactively participates in events, workshops, conferences, and high-level meetings and discussion panels, strengthening the GFDD’s mission to contribute to the advancement of global collaboration and exchange by sharing
valuable expertise, best practices, and lessons learned to build strong national and international networks in the Western Hemisphere and the world.

This yearly event sees over fifty different embassies in Washington D.C. open their doors to the public to showcase their cultural programs, food, songs, and products, among other things. Passport D.C. lasts throughout the month of May and includes international street festivals and cultural performances in addition to
Embassy Tours. All activities are free and open to the public.