InteRDom Introduces the Fellows Program, Providing Opportunities for Research and Exchange Related to Social and Economic Development

InteRDom, the internship and academic study program of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), is pleased to announce the launch of its new research initiative, the Fellows Program. The initiative
responds to GFDD and FUNGLODE’s desire to develop a community of scholars that contributes to their growing body of research on matters of international concern that directly impact the Dominican Republic, complementing their overall mission to promote academic exchange, generate scholarship, and influence the creation of public policy related to economic and social development both at the national and international level.

Through this new division of
InteRDom, GFDD and FUNGLODE seek to develop scholarship on issues at the forefront of the United Nations’ agenda in order to give voice to national and regional concerns and offer viable solutions to domestic and international challenges.

The Fellows Program will provide research opportunities to M.A. and Ph.D. students interested in conducting high-level investigation on sustainable development related topics.  The final output of the
semester-long period will be a report of approximately 15 pages. Reports that meet GFDD and FUNGLODE standards and guidelines will be submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and will be featured on GFDD and FUNGLODE websites and within institutional publications. Fellows that carry-out exemplary work will also be afforded the opportunity to present their findings before the United Nations community on behalf of GFDD and FUNGLODE.

During
the summer of 2009, InteRDom initiated a fellowship pilot program. Carl Allen, Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy and Urban Planning at the Harvard Kennedy School, was the first researcher to participate in the program. The purpose of Mr. Allen’s fellowship was to realize an in-depth analysis of the potential impact of the metro in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on poverty alleviation, congestion, pollution reduction and social development. While in the country, he interviewed
key people in the area of transportation and conducted survey studies of Santo Domingo’s ridership. The outcome of Mr. Allen’s research is an extensive report on the effects of the metro on the nation’s urban development and includes recommendations for maximizing societal benefits. Mr. Allen’s official report will be submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this spring on behalf of Global Foundation for Democracy and
Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE).  

For information on how you can become involved, contact Kerry Stefancyk, Research Coordinator, at: kstefancyk@globalfoundationdd.org

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