In a symbolic ceremony held at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican President Luis Abinader formally welcomed 30 top-performing students of Dominican origin from across the globe as part of the 2026 edition of the Dominican Pride Abroad (ODEX) program, the initiative’s fourth iteration.
Organized by the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (Index), ODEX was designed to serve two core purposes: first, to celebrate the exceptional academic accomplishments of young Dominican diaspora members building lives outside their ancestral homeland, and second, to deepen the cultural and emotional bonds between these young people and the Dominican Republic through a structured six-day program of cultural and civic engagement activities.
In his opening remarks to the gathered students and their family members, President Abinader emphasized the lasting place of diaspora communities within the Dominican national identity, urging attendees to nurture their connection to their heritage. “We want you to feel Dominican too. There will always be a country here waiting for you with open arms,” he told the group.
The meeting between the president and the students extended for an hour, during which Abinader responded to questions on a wide range of policy and national progress topics, spanning systemic improvements to Dominican education, targeted poverty reduction campaigns, expanding access to healthcare, and major infrastructure upgrades for public transportation. He also shared personal reflections on his own journey into electoral politics and outlined his administration’s long-term vision for inclusive national growth.
The participating students, who traveled alongside their family members, arrived to the Dominican Republic from eight countries and territories across North America, Europe, and South America: the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, Italy, England, Argentina, Chile, and Panama. The 2026 ODEX program runs from July 20 to July 25, and beyond the meeting at the National Palace, it includes scheduled guided visits to leading cultural sites such as national museums and the historic Colonial City, as well as tours of the National Congress and key national government institutions.