February 2018 - Global Foundation for Democracy and Development

Monthly Archives: February 2018

GFDD will participate in the 26th General Assembly of the Conference of NGOs from February 28th to March 3rd in Geneva, Switzerland
Under the theme “Challenges Today and Tomorrow Towards Agenda 2030”, members of the Conference of NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations (CoNGO) will meet to celebrate the organization 26th General Assembly and its 70th anniversary.

Dominican Films and Activists Will Be Part of the 2018 DC Environmental Film Festival
In 2018, the 26th annual DC Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) will honor environmental heroes with ‘Stories from the Frontlines’. Whether it is wildlife conservation, habitat protection, clean drinking water or clean air, DCEFF films and speakers will reflect the action and the passion of those who are working on the battle lines to protect and
preserve the environment for us and for future generations. More than 100 films will be screened to audiences of more than 30,000 Washingtonians.

“Constitution, Law and Primary Elections”, an article by Dr. Leonel Fernández
Nine political parties that make up the so-called opposition block recently introduced a set of proposals regarding the bill on the political parties and reforms to the electoral law. Among the submitted proposals are those associated with advertising and propaganda; public funding, gender quotas and accountability.

Costa Ricans Enjoyed Dominican Films
For the first time ever, the Dominican Film Showcase went to Costa Rica. Every Tuesday from January 23 to February 20th, Costa Ricans enjoyed an interesting variety of some of the best Dominican films, including: Dólares de Arena, Death by a Thousand Cuts, La Familia Reyna, La Lucha de Ana and Cristo Rey, as well as the presence of special guests such as Yvette Marichal, Director of
the DR Film Commission (DGCine) Laura Amelia Guzmán, Dominican filmmaker, and Danilo Reynoso, Dominican actor and film producer.

“Vladimir Guerrero: de Don Gregorio a Cooperstown”, an article by Dr. Leonel Fernández
In the middle of the final leg of an intense and passionate competition, not suitable for those with cardiac conditions, between the Águilas Cibaeñas (the Cibao Eagles) and the Tigres del Licey (the Licey Tigers), all of sudden, the greatly anticipated news started to circulate: Vladimir Guerrero had been inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.

“Sol Caribe” and Carlos Alfredo Fatule Brough some Heat to Washington, DC!
On Tuesday, February 20th, 2018, GFDD hosted a special screening of the documentary “Sol Caribe” (Caribbean Sun) with the presence of Dominican artist Carlos Alfredo Fatule. This event, part of GFDD’s Dominican Film Showcase and Dominican Get-Togethers initiatives, was celebrated to commemorate the Dominican Republic’s independence by rejoicing in the best of its music and culture.

GFDD & FUNGLODE Host the Release of the Book ‘Fundamentals of the Dominican Voluntary Sector’ by Ms. Megan Beddow
Seeking to enhance the dialog about the role and importance of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Dominican Republic and worldwide, GFDD & Funglode hosted the release of the book “Fundamentals of the Dominican Voluntary Sector”, at UN Church Center on Thursday, February 15th. The presentation is the last addition to the publication series; Research and Ideas. It outlines the findings of a study carried out by the 2015 GFDD Research Fellow, Megan D. Beddow, which aim to analyze
the external environmental factors and internal organizational characteristics that shape the NGOs of the Dominican Republic while illustrating the classic evolution of the voluntary sector in a developing country.

Funglode will make available Jimmy Sierra’s Diccionario cultural dominicano on line
The multimedia edition of the Dominican Cultural Dictionary, by writer and filmmaker Jimmy Sierra, in cooperation with Reynaldo Disla, Héctor Martínez, Carlos José Peña and León Félix Batista, will soon be available through Funglode’s website.

Global Foundation Announces Winners of Funglode/GFDD 2017 Awards
The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode/GFDD) announced the winners of the 11th Annual Awards in Short Stories (Juan Bosch Award); Poetry (Pedro Mir Award) and Journalism (Rafael Herrera).

“No Country Can Afford to Ignore Higher Education”
On February 8th, 2018 GFDD hosted an interesting and timely discussion on successful education and labor markets, with Maria Marta Ferreyra, Senior Economist, Office of the Regional Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean of the World Bank, and author of “At a Crossroads. Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean”. Ferreyra presented the main results of her recent publication and gave an insightful regional panorama of the higher education sector; she also
commented on the book “Making College Work: Pathways to Success for Disadvantaged Students”, by Professor Harry Holzer of Georgetown University and Sandy Baum of the Urban Institute.