标签： Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO – The 2026 Berklee International Academic Program concluded its intensive musical training week with a spectacular finale concert at the Carlos Piantini Hall within the Eduardo Brito National Theater this past Saturday. The event showcased the remarkable artistic development of nearly 200 meticulously selected students from across the Dominican Republic.

In a subsequent formal ceremony, 43 exceptional musicians were granted prestigious scholarships for advanced studies at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. The cohort included 30 scholars from the National Conservatory of Music. A standout moment occurred when Ángel Sánchez Volquez was honored with the distinguished Michel Camilo Scholarship, recognizing extraordinary musical promise.

The closing events were attended by prominent cultural and academic leaders, including Culture Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo and high-ranking officials from Berklee College of Music, underscoring the program’s significant institutional support.

Organized through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the General Directorate of Fine Arts, the National Conservatory of Music, and Berklee College of Music, the program ran from January 5th to 10th. This initiative, bolstered by both public and private partnerships, has firmly established itself as a vital catalyst for nurturing the next generation of Dominican musical talent and fortifying international educational connections in the arts.

SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to bolster national border security, the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has initiated a specialized recruitment campaign targeting young male citizens for immigration enforcement roles. The initiative specifically focuses on strengthening immigration control mechanisms in the country’s northern territories, which have experienced increased migration pressures in recent years.

The recruitment drive, announced through official government channels, establishes strict eligibility criteria for prospective candidates. Applicants must be Dominican nationals aged 18-30 who have successfully completed secondary education. The DGM has emphasized additional mandatory requirements including specific physical conditioning standards, comprehensive medical fitness, and appropriate documentation verification.

Unlike previous recruitment cycles, this initiative remains exclusively available to male applicants, reflecting the agency’s strategic staffing decisions. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous evaluation processes scheduled for January 14th at the Santiago Governor’s Office, with proceedings commencing at 8:30 AM. The DGM has mandated in-person attendance for all assessment phases, underscoring the hands-on nature of immigration enforcement work.

This recruitment effort represents part of broader governmental measures to enhance border management capabilities amid increasing regional migration patterns. The northern region’s strategic importance as both a transit point and destination for migration flows has prompted authorities to allocate additional resources to immigration infrastructure and personnel.

SANTO DOMINGO – The Casa del Cordón Taíno Cultural Center, a flagship initiative of Banco Popular Dominicano, will inaugurate its 2026 cultural calendar on Wednesday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. with a pioneering academic symposium titled “The Twin of the Cotton Cemí: New Ways of Understanding Its Mysteries.” The event, set in the center’s historic courtyard, will be moderated by distinguished cultural advisor José Enrique Delmonte.

This high-level discussion will feature two preeminent scholars: Bernardo Vega, renowned economist, historian, and anthropologist, alongside Manuel García Arévalo, prominent historian, archaeologist, and president of the García Arévalo Foundation. The symposium represents a continuation of dialogues initiated in August 2025, exploring how cutting-edge technological innovations—including 3D digitization, virtual modeling, and interactive visualization platforms—have revolutionized both academic research and public engagement with this iconic Taíno artifact, based on groundbreaking studies conducted by the University of Turin.

These advanced digital methodologies enable unprecedented technical and symbolic analysis of the cotton cemí while democratizing access to its digital replica, eliminating the necessity for physical travel to Europe where the original artifact is housed. This initiative perfectly aligns with the cultural center’s core mission to foster the study, conservation, and dissemination of Hispaniola’s indigenous heritage.

Housed within one of the New World’s most ancient stone structures, the center maintains a permanent exhibition featuring over 350 pre-Hispanic archaeological pieces from the García Arévalo Foundation. Through its dynamic programming of discussions, exhibitions, and educational initiatives, Casa del Cordón continues to establish itself as a premier interdisciplinary space where historical preservation, technological innovation, and community engagement converge to enhance cultural awareness and heritage conservation.

SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to bolster forensic investigative capabilities, the Dominican Republic’s Superior Council of the Public Ministry has formally authorized the establishment of a specialized Canine Unit. This strategic initiative is designed to enhance efforts in locating missing persons and recovering human remains, addressing a critical need in the nation’s law enforcement and forensic services.

The newly formed unit will operate under the technical supervision of the National Institute of Forensic Pathology (Inacif). Its deployment will follow strict operational protocols, coordinating with various state agencies to ensure comprehensive investigative support. The decision was finalized during the Thirteenth Ordinary Session on January 8, presided over by Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso alongside other high-ranking officials from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

International partnerships will play a vital role in the unit’s development, with foreign cooperation being secured for the specialized training of handlers and canine teams. In a commitment to ethical standards, authorities have pledged full compliance with Law 248-12 on Animal Protection. A specific care protocol is being developed to guarantee the welfare, proper treatment, and humane conditions for the dogs integral to the unit’s operations. This initiative reflects the government’s dedication to modernizing its public safety services and delivering more effective results for society.

Santo Domingo has achieved a remarkable environmental milestone with its latest “Plastics for Toys” initiative, gathering an impressive 4,023,865 plastic bottles in a single day. The event, meticulously organized by the National District Mayor’s Office, marks the sixth edition of this transformative program that has now surpassed 37 million bottles collected across all editions, including both “Plastics for Toys” and “Plastics for Schoolchildren” campaigns.

Mayor Carolina Mejía emphasized the dual impact of the program, noting how it simultaneously generates environmental benefits while bringing joy to the community’s children. “This initiative represents our commitment to both environmental stewardship and social development,” Mejía stated during the event at the Municipal Palace. She particularly acknowledged the crucial role of private sector partners in sustaining the program’s success over multiple years.

The recognition ceremony highlighted several key corporate supporters including Propagas, Banco Popular, Banreservas, Café Santo Domingo, and Banco BHD for their ongoing commitment to the city’s environmental goals. The event’s security and operational success was ensured by a deployment of more than 350 security and emergency personnel from various public and private institutions, creating a safe environment for all participants.

This latest edition demonstrates the powerful synergy between municipal leadership and corporate social responsibility, establishing a replicable model for environmental education and waste management initiatives. The program’s continued growth positions it as the Dominican Republic’s most significant environmental awareness campaign, showcasing how public-private partnerships can effectively address both ecological challenges and community needs.

Following recent heavy rainfall that caused significant damage across Puerto Plata, provincial governor Claritza Rochtte Peralta de Senior conducted a comprehensive assessment tour of affected areas in San Felipe de Puerto Plata and Sosúa. The inspection, carried out alongside personnel from the Fire Department and Civil Defense units, focused on evaluating the impact on local communities and coordinating relief efforts.

Governor Rochtte engaged directly with community representatives and residents, gathering firsthand accounts of the most pressing needs while reaffirming the national government’s commitment under President Luis Abinader’s administration. “We have come to listen to the primary needs of those affected,” stated the governor, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to providing rapid responses during emergencies and ensuring community safety and welfare.

In a practical demonstration of this commitment, the provincial government, through the Directorate of Social Assistance and Community Food (DASAC), distributed essential household goods to families whose homes suffered flood damage. The distribution ceremony at the Fabio Rafael González Sports Complex included the provision of beds, stoves, refrigerators, and other vital household appliances to beneficiaries in the Villa Progreso sector, with all assistance coordinated through central government support programs.

The coordinated response highlights the multi-agency approach to disaster management being implemented in the region, combining immediate assessment with tangible support for recovery efforts.