Experts analyze the right to a healthy environment at INTEC
The university hosted the second inter-institutional panel "Right to a Healthy Environment: Dialogue for Building Peaceful Coexistence," held by the Ombudsman.
Santo Domingo. - Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) hosted the second inter-institutional panel “Right to a Healthy Environment: Dialogue for Building Peaceful Coexistence,” held by the Ombudsman.
The objective of the event was to foster a space for inter-institutional coordination to reflect on environmental law as an essential component of fundamental rights, and on the importance of strengthening mechanisms for prevention, mediation, access to justice, and citizen participation in the face of environmental conflicts.
Professor Alliet Ortega, acting rector of INTEC, moderated the panel, which included Harold Modesto, Secretary General of the Ombudsman's Office; Francisco Contreras, head of the Specialized Attorney's Office for Environmental Defense; Luis Carvajal, representative of the Dominican Environmental Movement; Ángel Gomera, Director General of Prevention, Environmental Policies, and Projects; and Sandra Nogue, mediation expert.
These meetings were organized by the Ombudsman in coordination with the Specialized Attorney's Office for the Defense of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of the Interior and Police, and the Neighbors Against Noise Movement.
Leading the activities, Ombudsman Pablo Ulloa highlighted the importance of encouraging collaboration between institutions, authorities, organizations, and citizens to implement public policies that prevent and mitigate negative effects on the ecosystem, health, and well-being.
In this regard, he maintained that through the initiative, he promoted education and awareness about the importance of the right to a healthy environment as an essential component for the protection of fundamental rights.
"It is vital to strengthen public participation in environmental decision-making through accessible mechanisms for reporting, accessing information, and demanding compliance with environmental regulations," Ulloa explained.
He also noted that by promoting environmental mediation as a fundamental tool for resolving conflicts related to air, water, soil, and noise pollution in affected communities, environmentally friendly solutions will be achieved.
The Ombudsman also emphasized that with greater inter-institutional commitment and through the promotion of coordinated actions between the government, civil society, and key stakeholders, effective strategies can be identified to address this environmental challenge.