December 2015 - Global Foundation for Democracy and Development

Monthly Archives: December 2015

“The Future of the PLD ”, an article by Dr. Leonel Fernández
The agreement made by the Political Committee, with the aim of amending the constitution to permit presidential reelection, had resolved that all senators and deputies would be renominated for their offices; that mayors would only need a showing in the polls of a difference of at least 10 percentage points over their internal rivals; and that Council members would be the only ones to remain subject to the decisions of the voters.

“This is the moment to strengthen relations between China and the Dominican Republic and to take them to the next level,” GFDD Fellow Yuan Li says
As part of the release of the latest publication in the series, Research and Ideas, entitled, “Dominican Republic and P.R. China: Exchange, Trade, and Investment,” the Fellows Program of the GFDD/Funglode invited GFDD Fellow Yuan Li to give a special presentation of her research findings at Funglode headquarters in Santo Domingo on Friday December 11, 2015.

Yo Soy la Salsa Encore Screening Success at Dominican Embassy!
GFDD, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the United States, screened Yo Soy la Salsa on December 8th. The film, which was successfully screened at the second day of the GFDD’s Dominican Film Showcase on November 20th, had an encore showing at the Embassy in DC. The documentary follows the beginnings of the salsa music genre and includes interviews with music legend Johnny Pacheco and other influential individuals. Salsa became a cultural
movement that emerged at a time where strengthening Latin culture was greatly needed, and still gets people out onto the dance floor even 50 years later.

Paris, A Push to Save the Planet, an article by Dr. Leonel Fernández
Despite the multiple terrorist attacks that have recently shaken Paris, the global capital of art and culture, more than 40,000 people have gathered since Monday, November 30, for one of the most important diplomatic summits in history.

Global Roundtables Welcomes Margaret Myers, Discussion on Chinese-Latin America Relations
For this December edition of the GFDD Global Roundtables, GFDD Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic welcomed Margaret Myers, Program Director of the China and Latin America at the Inter-American Dialogue, a reputed D.C- based think tank.

Ms. Margaret Myers
Program Director of the China and Latin America at the Inter-American Dialogue

GFDD and DREFF Mourn the Death of Dominican Filmmaker Máximo José Rodríguez
The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) deeply lament the death of Dominican filmmaker, Máximo José Rodríguez, who passed away yesterday in the Dominican Republic. In addition to having been a great friend and collaborator, Mr. Rodríguez was a member of the DREFF National Advisory Committee.

Yo Soy la Salsa Returns to D.C. for Encore Screening after Successful DFS
The second day of the GFDD’s Dominican Film Showcase on November 20th came with an abundance of rhythm provided by Latin music legend Johnny Pacheco. Due to its successful showing and at the requests of the audience, Yo Soy la Salsa will have an encore showing on December 8th. The documentary, which follows the beginnings of the salsa music genre, includes interviews with music legend Johnny Pacheco and other influential individuals. Salsa became a cultural
movement that emerged at a time where strengthening Latin culture was greatly needed, and still gets people out onto the dance floor even 50 years later.