GFDD and FUNGLODE Officially Open the Juan Bosch Library

On Monday, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) officially re-opened its Documentation and Information Management Center, renaming it the Juan Bosch Library. The dedication of the library was attended by various donors whose contributions made possible the construction of the new facility. Many influential academics
and intellectuals were present at the event, in addition to Dominican President Leonel Fernández, Honorary President of GFDD and FUNGLODE, and Carmen Quidiello, widow of the honored Professor Juan Bosch.

The event began with the showing of a short video about the history of the library, from
the moment it was announced through its construction and later when it was designated as a United Nations depository.

The evening began with a short speech by Marcos Herrera, the new FUNGLODE Executive Director. “I would like to introduce myself and welcome everyone, as well as thank you for your presence at
this event. Thank you to those who made this longed-awaited event possible, especially for the opening of this much longed-for library.”

Aida Montero, Director of the Juan Bosch Library, continued by saying, “Thank all of you present today at this act of recognition of Juan Bosch, here in this place of knowledge that will be of great service to teachers and academics.”

The main speech was given by President Leonel Fernández. “For the past two-and-a-half years we have been planning to finish these installations to coincide with the centenary of the birth of Professor Bosch … and we have achieved our goal,” said the Honorary President of GFDD and FUNGLODE. Fernández said it was a great honor to
be opening the new library in the name of Juan Bosch. “I feel morally and intellectually obliged to do this because my highest distinction is to be considered his disciple.”

The Dominican President said that this project, concluded on Monday, had in fact begun 40 years ago. “It began with
my habit of buying books and starting my own library at home. After awhile, I had to start putting them in other places. They ended up on the third floor of FUNGLODE which soon became too small for my collection. This building provides space for all the books although there are still many more stored in boxes. We have 150,000 books and magazines, almost all of them related to social sciences and humanities.”

The President thanked all the professionals that did their part to make the Juan Bosch Library a reality. “It seems that we have a Ph.D. in gathering contributions, money and material.”