Economic and Social Council of the Dominican Republic - Integration Workshop for New Councilors
The Economic and Social Council of the Dominican Republic held the “Induction Workshop for New Council Members” with the aim of sharing key knowledge about the functioning, principles, and role of the CES, strengthening the sense of belonging and institutional cohesion, and supporting the fulfillment of its mission as a constitutional body for social dialogue.
The activity took place on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11, in the Oceanía Hall of the Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo hotel, with the participation of full and alternate council members appointed by organizations from the social, labor, and business sectors for the 2025–2029 term.
The President of the CES, Rafael Toribio, emphasized in his welcoming remarks that “the CES is its Council Members,” encouraging them to make the most of the intensive working sessions aimed at strengthening and optimizing the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the members of the Plenary.
Next, special guest Raúl Henríquez, Secretary General of the Economic and Social Council of Curaçao, highlighted the good practices of the Dominican CES within the framework of international cooperation, underscoring its institutional experiences in social dialogue that inspire other CES bodies.
Subsequently, the Secretary General of the CES, Ana Selman, presented the work program, objectives, and expected outcomes of the workshop. The following topics were organized into eight modules: Introduction; Legal and Institutional Framework; Structure and Functioning of the CES; Influence on Public Policy; International Scope; Ethics, Commitment, and Representation; and Current Challenges and the Role of the CES in Times of Change.
Fifteen speakers—ten local and five international—delivered presentations complemented by Q&A sessions, audiovisual materials, and group dynamics that enabled council members to deepen their understanding of the topics.
To explain what a CES is, its origin, and its role within the democratic system, Gellys Palencia, from the Inter-American School of Social Dialogue, Tripartism, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Panama, presented the history and evolution of social dialogue spaces. Smilena Kostova, Secretary General of the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria, shared the structure and experiences of the Bulgarian CES and its relationship with the European Union.
Meanwhile, the Legal Officer of the Dominican CES, Yamileth Vega, together with Ana Selman, reviewed the regulatory framework governing the CES, its position within the Dominican State structure, as well as current challenges and the ongoing work plan. Eduardo Castellanos, Head of Internal Evaluation and Monitoring, and Ariel Ariaudo, Head of the ICT Department, presented the internal and operational organization of the CES, the new quality management system currently being implemented, and the technological resources supporting information, consultation, dialogue, and consensus-building processes.
To train council members in effective negotiation techniques and consensus-building, the Executive Director of Stratos, Félix Espinal, introduced the Harvard, BATNA, and ZOPA methods.
Renowned economists Magdalena Lizardo and Rosa Cañete addressed the role of the CES in shaping and evaluating public policies, particularly in the context of the Education Pact and the Fiscal Pact.
To illustrate the scope and international projection of the CES, Raúl Henríquez, Bernardo López, and Gil Ramos presented the experiences of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), the Latin American Network of CES (CESISALC), and the Ibero-American Network of CES (RICESIS).
Council members Luis Miura and Rafael Abreu, along with former social sector council member Rolando Guzmán, shared their experiences and reflections on the importance of promoting a culture of responsibility, ethics, and public service among CES members.
Finally, President Rafael Toribio closed the induction workshop by reflecting on the next steps of the CES in light of the new challenges and responsibilities it faces as the main institutionalized platform for social dialogue.
Santo Domingo, April 13, 2026
Communications Department · Economic and Social Council of the Dominican Republic
Approved by the CES Presidency
Source : https://ces.gob.do/blog-noticias/single.php?id=1046
