President Fernández Promotes Strengthening Ties Between the Dominican Republic and New York

New York City, (Dec. 6, 2004).- President Leonel Fernández presented last Sunday the report made by Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) whose objective is to strengthen the ties between the communities in the Dominican Republic and in New York.
 

The book "Building New Strategic Alliances for the Development: Dominican Republic-New York" is the result of a two-year research project made by professors and community leaders in both countries about Dominican emigration in New York and the possibilities of
further collaboration and exchange between the Caribbean country and "the second largest Dominican city in the world".

The report includes the social, economic and cultural profile of the Dominican Diaspora, types of investments, trade and finances. A especial mention is made of the US$ 3 billion sent in remittances every year. Other subjects surveyed in the report are education, health, science, technology, sports, and leadership
development.

President Fernández stressed "the report, made with academic perspective by experts in New York and Dominican Republic, had not been the subject of political interferences." The report makes a series of recommendations to be adopted by the public and private sectors, civil society and community based organizations in a joint effort.

The report contained in the book was made by a
working group formed by FUNGLODE, the Institute of Dominican Studies of City College, the Institute of Dominican Studies of Columbia University, and other institutions. Its purpose is to gather the existing capabilities of the Dominican community outside the country and transform it into a contribution to the development of the country.

Dr. Leonel Fernández remarked how "the ties of Dominican Republic with Dominicans in New York is a
golden opportunity for the construction of a new nation that would not only provide food, shelter and education to its children, but also to be part of a new universal culture that is developing in the great cities of the world."