Chamber of Deputies receives Dominican-Spanish students winners of the Madrid 2025 School Merit Award

Santo Domingo.- A group of young Dominicans residing in Spain, winners of the XV Edition of the Madrid 2025 School Merit Award, visited the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic this Thursday, as part of their cultural tour of the country. The delegation was received by the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco, who gave them a warm welcome and encouraged them to keep their connection with the Dominican Republic alive.

“Es un placer para nosotros mostrarles cómo funcionan nuestras instituciones, que dan sustento a la forma de gobierno democrática del país. Nos da mucho orgullo tenerlos aquí, que puedan sentirse como en su casa, y ojalá que en un futuro puedan estar aquí con nosotros representándonos”,

expresó Pacheco.

The Dominican ambassador in Spain, Tony Raful, accompanied the group and highlighted the purpose of the visit: "They are Spanish Dominicans, children of Dominican parents, so they need to learn about the country from which their roots come; a country they can represent with pride in the future. That's why we have come: so that they know the different powers of the State, and above all this one, which is the first, the Legislative Power."

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The students were recognized by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Spain for their academic excellence, spirit of self-improvement, civic behavior, and exemplary human conduct. The award aims to highlight the efforts of young people of Dominican origin between 12 and 18 years old who have excelled in their educational communities in Spanish territory. The School Merit Award, promoted by the Dominican Embassy in Spain, offers winners a week of cultural and institutional activities in the country, including meetings with President Luis Abinader, the First Lady, Raquel Arbaje, and other national authorities. During their stay at the National Congress, the youths participated in the educational program “Representative for a Day”, which allowed them to learn about the functioning of the legislative institution from within. The tour began in the esplanade of the Chamber of Deputies, continued through the imposing National Assembly Hall, the Hemicycle and ended with a visit to the Senate of the Republic, where they received explanations about the legislative processes and the role of the congressmen.