Santo Domingo, November 17, 2025. — The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) will celebrate its 25th anniversary this Thursday, November 20, reaffirming the role it has played since the year 2000 as one of the most influential think tanks and centers of knowledge production in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Over the past two and a half decades, GFDD has driven research initiatives, academic programs, international forums, cultural projects, and innovation platforms that have strengthened Dominican democratic life, fostered global dialogue, and promoted sustainable development.
A Quarter-Century of Impact on National Life
Since its creation, under the vision of its president, Dr. Leonel Fernández, GFDD has developed more than two thousand academic, cultural, and training activities, as well as dozens of research studies that today constitute an indispensable body of work for public policy analysis across multiple fields.
Contributions to Thought and Research
- International recognition as a think tank: GFDD has been consistently included in the Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report by the University of Pennsylvania, ranking among the top 40 think tanks in Latin America.
- Development of specialized observatories: The institution has created platforms such as the Dominican Political Observatory (OPD), the Dominican Judicial Observatory (OJD) and the Economic Observatory, all of which produce rigorous analyses used by scholars, policymakers, and the media.
- RD2044: One of the country’s most ambitious long-term planning projects, featuring territorial studies and strategic proposals for national sustainable development.
International Projection and Public Diplomacy
Throughout these 25 years, Funglode has strengthened its role as a regional actor by organizing high-level gatherings, including:
- Global Forum Latin America and the Caribbean
- Global Forum Casa de Campo
- Orlando Forum
- Peace Forum
- Dominican–Haitian Forum
Additionally, it has established offices and strategic alliances in the United States, Spain, and France, bolstering Dominican presence in global dialogue spaces.
Culture, Innovation and New Generations
Funglode has been a pioneer in promoting cultural and creative initiatives that have transcended borders:
- Dominican Global Film Festival (FCGD, by its Spanish acronym)
- Dominican Environmental Film Showcase (MCM, by its Spanish acronym)
- Funglode Publishing House and Global Magazine
- Radio Funglode
- Juan Bosch Library, one of the country’s most comprehensive collections in social sciences and humanities
- Debate, youth leadership and Model United Nations programs in the Dominican Republic, the United States and France, which have served as a platform for thousands of students.
Likewise, its Virtual Educa Caribe platform, the School of Government — now the Global Institute of Higher Studies in Social Sciences (IGLOBAL) — and its numerous training programs have helped strengthen the professional capacities of young people and adults nationwide.
Social Innovation and Commitment to Development
Projects such as Who’s Who, the competitiveness studies, and research on education, the environment, governance, emerging technologies, and sensitive issues such as femicides have enabled the institution to influence crucial debates for the Dominican Republic.
Funglode’s Center for Security and Defense Studies (CESEDE) has expanded its regional leadership through successive International Security and Defense Summits, the publication of key research, and the growth of its training offerings in comprehensive security. These advances consolidate CESEDE as a leading reference in the analysis and training of strategic contemporary security issues.
25th Anniversary Celebration
The commemorative event will take place this Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m., at the Real InterContinental Santo Domingo Hotel, where directors, founders, collaborators, young leaders, and international partners will gather to celebrate the institution’s legacy and reaffirm Funglode’s vision for the future.
