Press Gathering in Partnership with the Consulate of the Dominican Republic Helps to Increase Awareness of GFDD Programs and Projects

On June 5, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) partnered with the Consulate of the Dominican Republic in New York City to organize a press gathering at the Consulate, with the purpose of presenting the programs and projects spearheaded by GFDD to promote the social, economic and democratic development of the Dominican Republic and the professional and educational development of the Dominican community in the United States.

“The Consulate of the Dominican Republic feels very proud to be working in partnership with GFDD, and to be supporting the activities of the Foundation, because through all of its initiatives, the Foundation seeks to promote the best of the Dominican Republic” stated Isabel Padilla, Vice-Consulate in New York.

Following the introduction by the Vice Consulate, GFDD Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic spoke about the programs and projects
being implemented by GFDD to promote sustainable development in the Dominican Republic and professional and educational advancement within the Dominican community in the United States.

Ms. Despotovic explained that Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE),
headquartered in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was created in the year 2000 by Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic, after his first term in office, to further social, economic and democratic development in the Dominican Republic. GFDD, the sister institution of FUNGLODE, was subsequently established in 2003, as a private, non-profit in the United States, to support the work of FUNGLODE in the Dominican Republic, as well as to realize programs for the benefit of
the Dominican community in the US.

“The mission of GFDD is to foster awareness and elevate understanding of important topics, and to promote exchange that leads to increased and improved development in the Dominican Republic and within the Dominican community in the United States. GFDD offers opportunities for professional development – as well as opportunities for entertainment – through our publications, cultural gatherings and activities in New York City and
in the Dominican Republic” affirmed Ms. Despotovic.

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), the Dominican Republic Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment, Dominican Get-Togethers, InteRDom and The Fellows Program were a few of GFDD’s numerous programs spotlighted by the Foundation’s Executive Director during the event.

DREFF, an initiative launched by GFDD in September of 2011, raises awareness and deepens understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of the country’s natural heritage. Through screening a diverse selection of high-quality films on matters of environmental concern, and organizing panel discussions with environmental experts, filmmakers and other stakeholders, the Festival seeks to foster dialogue
and to inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure for the health and environmental sustainability of the country.

“The Festival is educational, but it’s also artistic,” stressed Ms. Despotovic. “It serves as an opportunity to create networks between Dominican and international experts in the area of the environment as well as the area of film.”

The Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment is yet another means by which GFDD works to increase awareness of environmental challenges and foster protection of the natural environment. The encyclopedic dictionary masterfully unites information on the environment and natural resources of the Dominican Republic, incorporating material from a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, geology,
biology, atmospheric engineering, earth and soil sciences, geography, demography, economics and law. The publication is divided into three main sections – scientific articles; definitions of terms and concepts; and a resource guide containing a map of national protected areas, a directory of environmental organizations and government agencies and a list of endemic flora and fauna. The volume also features an incredible 712 defined environmental terms, 58 table sets, 123 graphics, 19
scientific articles and over 900 photographs.

“We are in the process of working with public schools to make the dictionary accessible to Dominican and Hispanic students here. We are in conversation with the school system here to see if we can place them in the libraries to serve as a reference guide,” confirmed the head of the US-based non-profit.

The initiative, Dominican Get-Togethers is yet another example of the innovative programming that the Foundation realizes in New York City and other cities in the United States in response to the interests and concerns of Dominicans in the United States. The initiative promotes appreciation of Dominican culture and creates opportunities for discussions on contemporary issues relevant to Dominican society in the homeland and abroad.

“These events combine educational and social elements and present opportunities to meet people and exchange experiences,” stated Despotovic.

Highlighting GFDD’s internship and academic program, InteRDom, established in the year 2005, Ms. Despotivic asserted that
the program “… has already had a great deal of success.” InteRDom is a competitive internship and academic study program that cultivates professional, academic and cultural exchange between students, universities, scholars, professionals, business and non-governmental organizations on a national and international scale. The program offers internship and research opportunities to undergraduate, graduate and gap-year students in a diversityof fields. The program is unique
in that it allows students to tailor their experiences with any combination of internship, research, university course work and/or cultural excursions and activities. InteRDom works with a database of over 500 affiliated national and international public and private institutions and multilateral organizations.

Ms. Despotovic also explained that through GFDD’s Fellows Program, the
Foundation is developing a network of scholars with technical expertise that can help to influence the development of improved public policy. The Fellows Program was developed in 2009 to respond to the desire of GFDD to develop a community of scholars that contributes to the Foundations’ growing body of research on matters of international concern that directly impact the Dominican Republic, complementing the overall mission of GFDD 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. The Fellows Program provides opportunities for M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. candidates and professors interested in conducting high-level research in the Dominican Republic on issues related to sustainable development. The final output of the investigation is a comprehensive report which includes empirical data. Fellows realize research in coordination
with GFDD staff, their National Adviser and their university professors. Fellows also have the opportunity to present their findings before the United Nations community on behalf of GFDD.

Through press gatherings such as this one, GFDD seeks to strengthen relations with New York media affiliates, with the purpose of expanding the dissemination of information and news related to the Foundation’s areas of work.

Related link:
http://portal.consuladord-ny.org/