ENTREVISTA MANUEL CONDE

Introduction to the Political Training School

Guest Introduction

• The segment features Ivelice Praz Ramírez, Executive Director of the Political Training and Public Management School of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM).

• Manuel Conde Cabrera welcomes Ivelice, expressing happiness to have him on the program.

Overview of Educational Initiatives

• Ivelice discusses the significant challenge of educating party members altruistically, relying on voluntary contributions from technical experts within PRM.

• The first training session was a certification in political communication, impacting over 200 communicators linked to PRM to enhance their connection with society.

Training Programs and Their Impact

Course Offerings

• Various short certifications are offered across the country, focusing on political education and state matters.

• Courses include modules on party ideology (democratic socialism), statutory order, political communication, and basic state formation.

Specialized Diplomas

• A specialized course in diplomacy and consular management has been developed in collaboration with the International Affairs Secretariat.

• The first cohort for this diploma has concluded; preparations for a second cohort are underway.

Current Educational Developments

Municipal Management Diploma

• A municipal management diploma is currently being conducted in partnership with the Planning Secretariat, lasting four months.

• Selection criteria focused on population importance led to prioritizing 16 municipalities for this program.

Engagement and Interest Levels

• There is impressive interest from party leadership and government officials regarding political education; no call for applications has gone unanswered.

• An open application period resulted in 500 requests within three days for limited spots available in courses.

Conclusion: Demand for Political Education

Response to Educational Opportunities

• The overwhelming response highlights a strong desire among participants for free educational opportunities provided by the school.

• In total, over 2,000 applications were received for various courses after initial screenings and interviews.

Training and Development in Political Management

Interest in Political Education

• There is a marked interest among individuals to acquire tools for better understanding politics and improving communication skills. This desire also extends to enhancing public management capabilities.

Municipal Management Course

• A course on municipal management is currently being held in the capital at the headquarters of the Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM), taking place every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. The enthusiasm is so high that students arrive early, demonstrating commitment to punctuality and academic rigor.

Decentralization Efforts

• The school plans to decentralize its educational offerings, aiming to reach various provinces across the country. An example includes a successful virtual course on customs management, which combined synchronous and asynchronous learning methods, allowing broader access to education nationwide.

Expansion of Educational Programs

• The PRM's educational team, including notable professors like Zapata and Radamés García González, aims to expand their reach throughout the nation while developing an online platform for virtual courses that can also serve international sections of the party. Social media channels are available for updates on activities and curriculum offerings.

Demand vs Resources

• Despite high demand—evidenced by 500 applications for a recent diploma program—the new school struggles with limited resources and programs. They prioritize quality over quantity in their strategic planning efforts as they work towards expanding their educational initiatives across all territories.

International Events and Legislative Commitment

International Seminar for Legislators

• An international seminar was organized with participation from four former presidents aligned ideologically with the PRM, aimed at enhancing legislative quality within the party. It included attendance from all PRM senators and deputies, emphasizing commitment to legislative independence and fulfilling promises made to the Dominican people.

Youth Engagement Initiatives

• The first international congress of revolutionary youth was launched under Carlos Hernández's leadership, showcasing significant efforts from the school in engaging younger generations within political discourse and activism. This reflects a broader strategy of involving youth in political processes through education and training opportunities.

Corruption Discourse: Comparing Political Parties

Addressing Corruption Claims

• In light of corruption allegations against current government officials by the Public Ministry, there are claims that PRM lacks moral authority compared to other parties like PLD or Fuerza del Pueblo when addressing these issues. The complexity of corruption requires nuanced discussions rather than oversimplified comparisons between parties' integrity levels amidst ongoing investigations into misconduct within governmental ranks.

Corruption and Governance in the Dominican Republic

The Roots of Corruption

• Corruption is deeply rooted in societal acceptance, cultural impunity, and legal consequences that often protect corrupt actions.

• Historical governance by the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD) and Fuerza del Pueblo has contributed to systemic corruption over two decades.

Political Dynamics and Corruption

• Leonel Fernández's presidency from 1996 to 2000, followed by Danilo Medina's eight-year term, exemplifies a long history of political power sharing that fostered corruption.

• The state transformed into a mechanism for extracting public resources, leading to significant corruption cases involving misuse of funds for political gain.

Public Response to Corruption

• Public protests, notably the "Marcha Verde," emerged as a collective response against widespread corruption and impunity.

• The Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) attempted to channel this public outrage with promises to combat corruption but faced challenges in delivering on these commitments.

Challenges in Addressing Corruption

• Tackling corruption is complex; it involves individual values and perceptions of risk rather than just eliminating corrupt practices entirely.

• The focus should be on preventing impunity through a regime of consequences rather than expecting complete eradication of corruption.

Government Actions Against Impunity

• President Luis Abinader’s administration has signaled a commitment to not protecting those who violate laws, emphasizing judicial independence.

• Key reforms include appointing an independent Attorney General, Miriam Germán, and constitutional changes enhancing judicial autonomy.

Historical Context of Judicial Independence

• Previous administrations experienced interference with the judiciary; Abinader's government aims to respect judicial independence by avoiding political influence over court decisions.

• The PRM was born out of dissatisfaction with previous electoral manipulations that undermined opposition parties' integrity.

Commitment to Zero Impunity

• To maintain credibility with the public, the government must uphold its promise of zero tolerance for impunity by taking decisive actions against implicated officials.

Justice and Accountability in the Dominican Republic

Initiatives for Justice

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action against corruption, urging that all individuals involved should be processed under due legal process.

• There is a discussion on the achievements of the Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM) since its establishment, highlighting their governance and fulfillment of campaign promises.

Governance Achievements

• The speaker acknowledges that fulfilling campaign promises is challenging but notes significant progress in key areas such as institutional strengthening.

• A focus on respecting the separation of powers and enhancing judicial independence is highlighted as essential for democracy in the Dominican Republic.

Judicial Independence

• The selection of judges based on professional qualifications rather than personal or political connections marks a positive shift in judicial appointments.

• The current Attorney General's background from within the Ministry of Public Prosecution represents a historic change towards institutional strengthening.

Political Culture Shift

• The president's commitment to not modifying constitutional limits on re-election signifies a move away from historical caudillismo, promoting democratic practices.

• This approach aims to eradicate the culture of indefinite re-elections, allowing new generations to take leadership roles.

Future Challenges for PRM

• A call for zero tolerance towards impunity is made, advocating for removing officials linked to corruption allegations from public office.

• As elections approach, discussions arise about candidate selection within PRM and maintaining party unity while ensuring strong leadership choices.

Conclusion and Reflections

• The conversation wraps up with reflections on government achievements and future electoral strategies, emphasizing the need for careful candidate selection amidst challenges ahead.

• Gratitude is expressed towards Manuel Conde Cabrera for his insights during this informative session.