Duarte Students Visit the Dominican Senate and Become Senators for a Day

More than 30 students from Las Guáranas got an inside look at Congress and got to experience being senators for a day.

More than 30 secondary school students from the municipality of Las Guáranas, in Duarte province, visited the Dominican Senate as part of the "Visitas Guiadas" program, an initiative to promote civic education and bring young people closer to how democratic institutions work.

The group included students from the Centro Florida Hernández, the Colegio Diácono Ángel María Ventura, and the Centro Educativo Nuevo Horizonte, accompanied by representatives and teachers from their schools.

On arrival, the students were welcomed by Senate President Ricardo de los Santos in the Hemiciclo Senatorial. De los Santos described the National Congress as the first branch of the state, responsible for drafting the laws that govern social life, and urged the young people to learn the Constitution, which sets out citizens' rights and duties. "Take this opportunity to learn, participate, and understand the importance of your civic responsibilities," he told them.

During the tour, a team from the Senate's Division of Citizen and Political Participation guided them through the facilities. In the Hemiciclo chamber, the students got to be senators for a day and received explanations about Congress's functions and the process of lawmaking.

Student Crimson Eliam Mejía Pérez thanked the Senate on behalf of his classmates, saying the experience helped them better understand the Constitution and appreciate the sacrifice of Dominican heroes.