New York.– The best 30 students of Dominican descent in New York City will travel next August to the Dominican Republic with the aim of strengthening ties with the land of origin of their families, in an unprecedented initiative promoted by the Dominican General Consulate.
The announcement was made by
Consul Jesús Vásquez Martínez during the meeting “El Cafecito con el Cónsul”, held in the emblematic Carro Café, in Brooklyn, with the participation of the Brooklyn borough president, Antonio Reynoso, the only Dominican to hold such a position, as well as prominent community leaders, entrepreneurs, religious figures, cultural figures, and representatives of the organization Latinos Unidos.
During his intervention, Vásquez Martínez revealed that for such purposes the educational authorities of the State of New York, who are in charge of the student selection process, are already working on the protocol of rigor to achieve the best results.
The students themselves will be received by
President Luis Abinader, the Minister of Education Luis Miguel De Camps, Chancellor Roberto Álvarez, and other officials of the Dominican Government. The agenda includes a special tour of the National Palace, as well as meetings with authorities from the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Mayor's Office of the National District.
“This initiative seeks to strengthen the emotional and cultural connection of these young people with the land of their parents and grandparents. Many of them were born here, but have never visited the country. We want that when they are great professionals tomorrow, they feel proud to say: ‘I am Dominican’”, said the consul.
He stated that each of the
chosen students will be accompanied by one of their parents. In addition, meetings will be organized in the country with Dominican youths of the same academic profile, belonging to the same province of family origin of each visitor, to promote a closer and more meaningful cultural exchange.
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"If one of them has roots in Puerto Plata, another outstanding young person from Puerto Plata awaits them there. If they are from La Vega, the same. We want them to live this experience from a more personal, more authentic perspective," he added.
Concern about real estate scams
The consul also addressed another issue of concern for the diaspora: real estate scams. He reported that the consulate continues to work with various sectors of the real estate area to address this problem and protect Dominicans who wish to invest in properties in their country of origin. "We have made significant progress and taken corrective measures to significantly reduce fraud cases," he emphasized.
During the event were also present: Father Willian Chacón, Blessed Sacrament Church; Pastor Rosa Frías, Church of God of Prophecy; the entrepreneurs Pablo Espinal, Nelson Eusebio, Frank Félix Zapata, José Alberto Sánchez, Miguel García, Yanitza Luna; from the commerce sector, Pedro Frías; Bélgica Medina, representative of the Schools; and the immigration lawyer Altagracia Medina.
Also in attendance were Sonia Medrano, president of NY Community for Change, along with her team; María Alcántara, representative of the Casa de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte; and Raúl King, representative of Latinos Unidos.
The meeting is part of the efforts of the
Dominican Consulate to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the diaspora and promote pride in national identity among the new generations born abroad.
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