The Diplomat
On 23 September, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Spain presented the Dominican Foundation (FUNDO) to members of the Dominican community in Spain. FUNDO is in the process of being formalised and its objective is to implement and develop the Youth Intervention Project (PIJ).
The project was presented by Ambassador Juan Bolivar during the celebration of the 178th anniversary of the Independence of the Dominican Republic last February, and its objective is to work with young people in the neighbourhoods of Madrid and other cities to “prevent violence”.
The Dominican Foundation (FUNDO), which began its activity in March and is made up of leaders of various Dominican associations, will be in charge of implementing the project. FUNDO will also manage other projects with the Dominican collective, native people or people of other nationalities, such as promoting and stimulating artistic, cultural and sporting activities between Dominicans and Spaniards; promoting and communicating the image of the Dominican identity; creating and coordinating cooperation and socio-cultural exchange agreements between Spanish and Dominican entities; and establishing cultural centres and/or spaces.
The Foundation is chaired by Bernarda Jiménez. The vice-president is Crismeidy Ureña; the secretary, Ramón A. Burgos and the vice-secretary, Carmen Amelia Cedeño. Thelma Kunhardt and Julio César Vargas have joined as members. The treasurer is Luis Armando García.
Among the activities that FUNDO has already been carrying out, the FUNDO Cup Summer Basketball Tournament, which was held on July 22nd in the Agustín Rodríguez Sahagún Park, stands out. Four Dominican basketball teams participated in the competition: Iluminati, Bloque Anfi, Azca Buck and Team Kailao. According to its promoters, this initiative underlines the foundation’s commitment to support young Dominicans living in Spain.
