FUNGLODE partners with institutions in more than 15 countries to confront challenges of "Globalization"

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (June 24, 2003)-Globalization, arguably one of the most discussed issues in the post-Cold War era, has become a priority for the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE), which recently joined a network of institutions from over 15 countries referred to as the "Global Education Tele-Community Initiative (GEI)".

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development, a "think-tank" organization located in the Dominican Republic, which is founded and presided by former President of the Dominican Republic (1996-2000), Dr. Leonel Fernández, recently formed the Center for the Study of Globalization, which will address the myriad of issues that encompass the multidimensional character of globalization.

Globalization, whether it be defined in its historical sense as a new term that describes a very old process where our human ancestors began moving out of Africa to spread all over the globe ; as a confluence of economic phenomena, which includes the liberalization and deregulation of markets, privatization of assets, the proliferation of foreign direct investment (FDI), and the integration of capital markets; or as a technological and social revolution ; the connotation remains steadfast that "globalization" continues to exacerbate "the divides", which include education, digital, gender, cultural, etc.

The "Global Education Tele-Community Initiative (GEI)" is an international project whose mission is to end the education, gender, and culture divides by stabilizing a global economy through education revitalization and establishing global collaboration between diverse populations and cultures. The GEI project will utilize multimedia technology, including video conferencing and web-based software to connect over 20 hubs in more than 15 countries around the world including: Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, India, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestinian Community, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United States, among others.

The GEI hubs will direct and manage this global learning enterprise by connecting youth and adults at each hub with one another and with professional mentors based at leading educational institutions, science and history museums, and major corporations around the world. The telecommunications technology, which includes interactive video conferencing and PC-to-PC webcasting, makes possible distance learning through live video, voice and data interaction among youth, adults, and leading educators, scientists, engineers, and executives worldwide who team teach with local site teachers and facilitators. The curricula and pedagogy focus on interdisciplinary, real-world science, engineering and technology projects.

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development will join partners of this project from the various other countries, which include: United Nations, Columbia University TCI (New York, USA), Microsoft Corporation, Rutgers University - EcoComplex (New Jersey, USA), Academy for Educational Development (Washington, DC, USA), Drexel University - Math Forum (Philadelphia, USA), Association to Unite Democracies (Washington, DC, USA), Anglo American University (Prague, Czech Republic), the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC, USA), among others.

The objectives of the GEI include: (1) increasing the economic base of youth and families in economically disadvantaged communities; (2.) increasing the number of high school and college graduates from economically disadvantaged communities; (3.) strengthening the science, math and technology foundation of youth [K-12] in economically disadvantaged communities; and (4.) fostering global collaboration among youth and adults from diverse cultures.

The GEI project, now entering its third phase, is directed by The John C. Ford Program, Inc., located in Dallas, Texas, and the Global Education Motivators (GEM) located at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The project was created due to grants of approximately US $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce TOP, WK Kellogg Foundation, EDS Foundation, the Bank of America Foundation, local banks, and individual contributors.

SANTO DOMINGO, JUNE 30, 2003.

For more information:

John R. Gagain Jr.
Director, Center for the Study of Globalization
Representative, International Organizations
Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE)

Calle Capitán Eugenio de Marchena, No. 26
Edificio de la Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo
(Enfrente Embajada de Cánada)
Ensanche La Esperilla
Santo Domingo, República Dominicana

Tel: 809.685.9966 Ext. 2201
Fax: 212-898-1115

Email: j.gagain@funglode.org

Envíelo