Dominican Students Take the Reins of Local Government in Inspiring Program

Villa La Mata, Dominican Republic, recently implemented a unique program called "From Classroom to City Hall." This initiative brought together students from the Miguel Ángel García Viloria Polytechnic to participate in a city council simulation. For a day, these students took on the roles of municipal officials, addressing local issues such as infrastructure development and environmental concerns. One student, speaking on behalf of his peers, stated, "As mayor for a day, I'm grateful for this opportunity to address the issue of road congestion in Villa La Mata by proposing an alternate route." The program was organized by the Polytechnic and fully backed by Mayor Eliseo Peña, who sees it as an investment in the future. The students' enthusiasm and insightful presentations underscore the program's success and its potential to foster future civic leaders. The initiative offers a model for other municipalities to encourage youth participation in local governance.