Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), stated that the agreement signed with the City University of New York (CUNY) is the platform needed to bring about radical social change in the Dominican Republic.

The President Elect of the Dominican Republic further added that for this reason “we must consider education as our priority.”

Dr. Fernández characterized the signing of the inter-institutional agreement between GFDD and CUNY “as a historic moment for us, we now have complete access to the opportunities and excellent education offered in New York, and specifically to the excellent university system of CUNY.”

Reminiscing on his childhood and adolescent years in New York, Dr. Fernández mentioned that he always thought about “how to modernize the Dominican Republic.” He recalled that upon winning the elections in 1996 “modernization meant creating a Little New York of the Dominican Republic. During my previous administration, we were able to implement some initiatives that worked towards the goal of converting the Dominican Republic into a Little New York.

´´We constructed tunnels, and we bragged about it to the extent of saying that the Lincoln Tunnel in New York tried to imitate us,” he joked. “ Now, we have made an agreement with Brazilian authorities to construct a metro system in the Dominican Republic.´´

Dr. Fernández added, “it would also be underground in order to feel like New York City.” He emphasized “one of the things that makes New York State, the United States, and New York City wonderful are the education opportunities.”

Fernández expressed that “no nation can transform itself and obtain modern reforms, unless it has a group characterized by the vision and responsibility to obtain radical transformation in that nation.”

´´I am familiar with the quality of education in the State and the City-(he migrated to NYC at age of 7)-, but I had to return to the Dominican Republic.”

He added that he always felt the need to obtain a quality university education in New York. “Now I believe that many of our compatriots, many young Dominicans, will have the opportunity to obtain a quality education, without necessarily having to travel to New York.

Chancellor Goldstein main talking points

Chancellor Goldstein mentioned that as head of the CUNY system, he feels very proud of the growing Dominican Community, and each day the number of Dominicans is more significant. There are approximately 23,000 students of Dominican origin in the CUNY system.

He added that as a demonstration of how valued the Dominicans are in the City of New York, the City Council approved a substantial grant for the Dominican Studies Institute at City College, one the 19 universities of the CUNY system.

Goldstein confirmed that the signing of the agreement with the Global Foundation is “a challenge for us, but I am sure that we are prepared to face it, and willing and able. We hope to count on you (Dr. Fernández), and we promise as partners to help obtain many positives things for your great country.”

The Chancellor also mentioned that the academic institution would begin immediately to identify the professors, individuals, and professionals in the areas of economic development, global sustainability and the social sciences.” Similarly, Mr. Jay Hershenson, Vice Chancellor of CUNY, mentioned that Dr. Leonel Fernández ´´represents democracy at a high level and the hope of the Dominican people. He has been elected to direct the development of the country.” 

Dominican Member of CUNY Board of Trustees

Dr. Hugo Morales, psychiatrist and first and only Dominican member of the Board of Trustees of CUNY, and member of the academic and research programs of the system, was present and played an important role in bringing about this agreement.

Morales emphasized that with the signing of this agreement, “we are making history.” He characterized the initiative as important not only for the Dominican people, but for the CUNY community and society in general as well.

He revealed that the agreement will use as a model the student exchange program at Hostos Community College, organized and directed by Ms. Ana Garcia Reyes, also of Dominican descent.

He added that the agreement is very important because it aims to promote mutual benefits to enrich and promote the objectives of CUNY and GFDD.

Dr. Morales mentioned that this agreement would allow for the establishment of exchange programs of experts and other intellectuals.

´´The vision of these leaders and their responsibilities of improving our communities is simply transcendental,' he indicated referring to Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Fernández.

Finally, Dr. Morales noted that his responsibility, as member of the Board of Trustees at CUNY, was to continue working in favor of both institutions and their common objectives, such as promoting technical cooperation to help the Dominican Community.

Content of the cooperation agreement

The inter-institutional cooperation agreement between FUNGLODE/GDFF and CUNY aims to establish educational exchange, joint studies and research in areas of mutual interest, scholarships, internships, training courses and other forms of agreed upon cooperation.

The agreement will strengthen and expand the already existing exchange programs within the CUNY system.

Fernández expressed that one of the goals of the agreement is to facilitate access by the Dominican education centers to CUNY's educational and technological resources. Likewise, the agreement aims to create a scholarship fund for students who wish to continue their studies in NY, by offering affordable tuition.

He noted that the agreement with CUNY is part of a larger effort that will be presented and implemented in two months, which includes a permanent cooperation between the State of New York and the Dominican Republic in areas such as culture, education, health, trade and finance, through the Global Foundation.

All these initiatives form part of an education program that will be implemented by the next Dominican government headed by President Elect Dr. Leonel Fernández.

Participants

The ceremony for the signature of the agreement took place on June 24 in the CUNY-TV, Channel 75 Studio, the official channel of the City University of New York.

Among those present were: Dr. Ramona Hernández, Director of the Dominican Studies Institute; Ms. Gladys Morales, wife of Dr. Hugo Morales; and Guillermo Linares former Councilman; Moisés Pérez, executive director Alianza Dominicana; Rafael Escaño, representative from the office of the Comptroller of the City of New York; and Joey Teeter, representative of the Governor of New York.

New York, june 27, 2004.