The Ministry of the Interior and Police (MIP) began training 210 community leaders in Bonao, Monseñor Nouel and Hato Mayor del Rey, including 135 young people, who will be trained in mediation of conflicts between neighbors to prevent incidents that could end in regrettable events and promote a culture of peace.
In Bonao, of the 150 leaders to be trained, 75 are representatives of neighborhood associations and other institutions, and the rest are young people belonging to three schools.
The event is supported by the Catholic Church and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and was opened at the Antonio Batista García Polytechnic, in the La Reforma sector, in an event headed by Vice Ministers Angela Jaquez, of Preventive Security in Provincial Governments, and Chandrai Estévez, of Preventive Security in Vulnerable Sectors; Governor Adela Tejada Gil, and Magistrate Sonia Espejo, coordinator of the program.
The training in Bonao will be developed over 10 weeks, four hours a week, where participants will be trained in topics such as: The eight powerful decisions, conflict mediation, community coexistence, human relations, active listening, culture of peace, access to justice and its free provision, and teamwork.
Judge Sonia Espejo indicated that the knowledge they will receive in the Training Program of the Network of Community and Youth Mediators Leaders will serve them to be multiplying agents in their communities, finding solutions and building bridges of understanding to grow together as a community and achieve a culture of peace.
Speaking on behalf of Minister Faride Raful, Deputy Minister Estévez stressed that the Interior and Police Departments have conceived citizen security as a collective co-responsibility.
“This is an extremely important training, as it represents a milestone in the construction of a culture of peace, through the training of leaders who mediate minor conflicts through dialogue and mediation,” said the official.
Vice Minister Jáquez stressed the importance of unity in preventing crimes, which requires fostering alliances and promoting the protection of the most vulnerable people.
Also participating were the governor of Monseñor Nouel, Adelaida Tejada; Jorge González, the coordinator of Citizen Complaints; Colonel Manuel de Jesús Peralta, and other civil and military authorities.
Meanwhile, in Hato Mayor, the training is focused on 60 students from the César Nicolás Penson High School of Arts in the Villa Canto sector, between 11 and 17 years old, who will become youth leaders through a training that will last eight weeks.
During the opening ceremony, Judge Espejo explained that the young people will be trained to master emotional intelligence, teamwork, a culture of peace and active listening. In addition, at the end they will receive a conflict mediation clinic to reinforce what they have learned.
Meanwhile, the deputy director of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the National Police, Colonel Teófilo Valenzuela, invited future leaders not to see law enforcement officers as enemies, motivating them to face difficulties and be an example of overcoming in the community.
Also present were Estefany Balbuena, from the César Nicolás Penson Arts Education Center; Juan Ramón Santana, representing the provincial governor, Maribel Simón; the deputy director of School District No. 04-05, Lucy Peguero, among others.
In addition to Bonao, in Monseñor Nouel and Hato Mayor there are other districts where training is implemented, such as Puerto Plata, San Cristóbal and Santo Domingo.
Participants receive training to prevent and reduce crime, strengthen public safety and contribute to mental health.
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