SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) and the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (Index) inter-institutional collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening digital skills, financial education and technological inclusion of the Dominican community residing abroad.
The agreement was signed by the president of the Board of Directors of Indotel, Guido Gómez Mazara , and the executive director of Index, Celinés Toribio, digital and technological literacy programs for the diaspora.
A press release highlights that through this agreement, both institutions will develop mechanisms for technical, academic, technological and public communication cooperation, focused on areas such as digital skills, financial education for the use of digital media in sending remittances, cybersecurity, critical thinking in the face of disinformation and equitable access to virtual training opportunities.
During the signing of the agreement, Gómez Mazara highlighted the crucial role of the Dominican diaspora in the economy and national identity. “Dominicans abroad have always been present in our collective memory, in our families, and in the building of this country,” the official said.
He also emphasized that, in macroeconomic terms, indicators show that Dominicans abroad will represent 12% of GDP in terms of remittances.
“Dominicans living abroad will represent 12% of GDP this year in terms of remittances; last year it was 10.5%. That means the heart of the Dominican economy beats in the same direction as the hearts of Dominicans living outside the country,” he stated.
For his part, Toribio highlighted the importance of Dominicans abroad and explained that this agreement responds to the constitutional mandate to strengthen ties, as well as achieve greater national integration .
“Today we are not here just to sign an agreement, we are here to guarantee that Dominicans there have the same opportunities as those here,” he emphasized.
What the agreement establishes
Indotel , when necessary, technological equipment, within the framework of its digital inclusion programs and its Biennial Development Project Plan , while Index will be responsible for dissemination, community articulation and support of beneficiaries in Dominican communities abroad, using its network of offices and links with diaspora organizations.
The agreement also includes the production and dissemination of educational campaigns and audiovisual materials, as well as the promotion of responsible digital citizenship and the strengthening of cultural and co-development ties between the diaspora and the Dominican Republic.
The alliance is framed within the public policies of universal access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as the guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen the protection, integration and participation of Dominicans abroad in national development processes.
The agreement will be valid for two years, with the possibility of renewal, and will serve as a basis for the formulation of work plans, specific projects and complementary agreements that will maximize the impact of joint actions for the benefit of the diaspora.
