Ombudsman calls for the use of technology to guarantee rights
SANTO DOMINGO. — Ombudsman Pablo Ulloa stated that technology should be used to guarantee human and civil rights. This statement formed the central theme of the Defensor Tech discussion, where he shared the stage with telematics engineer Darian Vargas to reflect on the role of digital tools beyond their everyday use, and their potential to transform public administration, improve quality of life, and strengthen democracy.
The meeting held in the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) began with the words of Alliet Ortega, Vice-Rector of Administration and Finance, who emphasized the changing role of technology in today's society, noting that digital tools are no longer just a means of communication or entertainment, but tools of citizenship.
He also warned about the risks of the indiscriminate use of these tools, especially regarding the spread of unverified information and the impact on personal reputation, stressing the need for conscious, critical and structured use of technology.
Ortega also addressed current debates on the use of mobile devices in educational settings and highlighted the importance of strengthening critical thinking in young people, in a context where the Dominican Republic seeks to consolidate itself as a technological and innovation hub.
Technology as a pillar to guarantee fundamental rights
During his speech, Ulloa stressed that technology must be strategically integrated into the guarantee of fundamental rights, such as security, health, and education.
Regarding citizen security, he raised the need to incorporate technological tools in police stations, such as body cameras, geolocation systems and interoperable platforms, which allow for improved transparency and institutional control.
In the health sector, he proposed the implementation of a single digital medical record, which would allow for comprehensive monitoring of patients, optimize medication management, and improve the efficiency of the health system.
He also stressed the importance of transforming the education system through a national qualifications framework that strengthens both technical skills and soft skills, aligning academic training with the demands of national development.
Youth and development: the challenge of human capital
Ulloa emphasized that the Dominican Republic is at a key stage of its development, with opportunities linked to foreign investment, technology and strategic sectors, making it essential to strengthen young human capital.
In that sense, he called on students to take an active role in building solutions from their areas of study, using technology with a critical sense and social responsibility.
For his part, Darian Vargas, a specialist in technology and data science, brought to the table one of the most worrying facts of the educational context, that approximately "62% of children from 10 years old do not understand what they read."
Based on this diagnosis, he raised the need for technological solutions with social impact, promoting initiatives such as the Ombudsman's hackathon to develop applications focused on human rights.
He also emphasized the urgency of changing the economic model towards innovation: “It is not possible… that the Dominican Republic continues to have that assembler mentality… it is the makers who change the world.”
In the final part of the discussion, Vargas called for the use of technology for social purposes. He said, “We shouldn’t use technology only… to seek dopamine or financial gain; we should also use technology to serve.”
El “Defensor Tech” This initiative stems from the results of the First National Human Rights Survey (2022), which revealed that over 50% of university students are unaware of their rights. In response, the Ombudsman's Office has developed various educational initiatives, such as academic competitions, volunteer programs, and the [program name missing in original text]. College Defender, from which this space for dialogue is derived.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness and empower young people about the role of technology as a key tool for defending and promoting individual and collective rights in the digital age.