FLACSO grad first cohort in DR

Santo Domingo. - The Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, FLACSO Dominican Republic Program, celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its Specialization in Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management. The professionals received international accreditation from the FLACSO System after completing a year of intense training and research, an academic proposal with an intersectional and human rights perspective, which prepares them for the design and implementation of projects, programs and public policies in a crucial area for the country. The ceremony, which took place in the conference hall of FLACSO RD, was led by Dr. Josefina Zaiter, president of the FLACSO Committee. The opening remarks were given by the director of FLACSO RD, Dr. Cheila Valera, who spoke of the contributions of this pioneering program in the country: "FLACSO has contributed to advocacy, to the construction of knowledge and to the link between actors on the subject. This cohort marks a milestone on that path."

Following this, Zaira Pujols, coordinator of the Specialization, highlighted the academic achievement as a commitment to protection as the central axis of development. "Their training allows them to go beyond the natural event, to identify, analyze and work on the responses to vulnerabilities, structural problems and the inequity of our systems, which are the true causes of disasters and not nature," she assured. Teachers Carlos Arenas and Melanie Benoit also intervened, underlining the importance of social justice and community mobilization in risk management.

The coordinator of the Social Studies Program in Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management and Environment, expert Lourdes Meyreles, offered words of motivation to the group, urging them to assume a leadership role at the national and regional level in the field of research. "The country needs to strengthen its analytical capabilities to understand risks in all their complexity and contribute to a shared resilience agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean," she affirmed. On behalf of the graduates, Linandra Javier expressed her gratitude to the institution, teachers, and family members for their support during the educational process. She highlighted that, upon receiving the FLACSO degree, they assume the responsibility of leading with integrity in emergency and disaster contexts, and of contributing sustainable solutions, focused on community resilience and human dignity. In a touching moment of the ceremony, Amelia Almánzar Cantisano, academic deputy director, presented helmets and vests, symbols of the investiture that represent the vocation of service and the protection of life. Clarissa Nina Ballista, administrative and financial deputy director, also presented the diplomas along with the academic authorities of the institution. Finally, the opening of registrations for the second cohort of this specialty, which will begin in 2025, and the publication of research papers by the new specialists to enrich the national bibliography were announced. The event also featured the presence of Ing. Juan Salas, director of Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic, and Senator Rafael Barón Duluc Rijo, representative of the province of La Altagracia. About FLACSO RD With a presence in 13 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, FLACSO is a center of academic excellence in social sciences. In the Dominican Republic, it develops postgraduate programs, research, and continuous training in areas such as risk management, education, international relations, democracy and governance, communication and culture, strengthening capacities and generating knowledge to face social, economic, political, and environmental challenges in the region.