More than 100 outstanding teenagers and young adults received honors at the eighth edition of the Empowered Youth Panel in Baní, Peravia province. The national event, produced and organized by the Lajara Foundation alongside Empowered Youth, took place in the Manuel de Jesús Perelló Auditorium at the Perelló Cultural Center.
The gathering brought together hundreds of adolescent and youth participants from across the Dominican Republic, including Barahona, Bahoruco, San Cristóbal, San Pedro de Macorís, Las Matas de Farfán, Santo Domingo Norte, and Peravia.
Baní serves as the capital of Peravia province in the southern region of the Dominican Republic, located west of the capital city of Santo Domingo. The panel took place during local observances for International Youth Day, an annual global awareness day established by the United Nations to focus on youth issues and civic engagement.
Organizers stated that the experience aimed to foster leadership, education, civic participation, and the development of purposeful life plans among young citizens. The recipients were recognized for their trajectory, effort, discipline, sacrifice, and commitment in fields including art, sports, communication, culture, social leadership, entrepreneurship, community work, and public service.
Featured Speakers and Panelists
The panel program included presentations from prominent national figures across several professional sectors. Among the featured speakers was Jimmy Llibre, a professional race car driver who serves as a Country Brand Ambassador for the Dominican Republic.
Raymen Nivar, president of the Basketball Association of Peravia province, addressed the audience alongside digital content creators Juan Miguel Castillo, known online as Bembúcalo, and Vladimir Jiménez Santana, known as Hey Santana.
Additional presentations were delivered by visual artist Amalia José González, who serves as president of the Rotaract Baní Club, and Melina Sánchez, president of the Permanent Youth Commission of the Chamber of Deputies.
Businesswoman and social activist Moreila Guerrero also spoke at the event, alongside professional dancer and choreographer Eva Piccini. The panelists shared personal life stories, experiences of overcoming adversity, and perspectives on leadership, discipline, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital communication, art, and sports, urging attendees to serve as agents of change in their communities.
Artistic Performances and Notable Guests
Young actress and communicator Laila Taveras hosted the event as master of ceremonies. Opening and closing artistic performances were delivered by the Las Valkirias Academy of Art.
A cultural interlude featured a performance by Las Nizas de Nizao, an artistic group composed of young girls who performed a presentation highlighting local identity, energy, and expression.
Dr. Julia Castillo Mejía, director of the Perelló Cultural Center, delivered the official welcome address to open the ceremony. Several local government officials and community representatives attended the event, including Professor Ángela Yadira Báez, civil governor of Peravia province.
Other distinguished guests included Milcíades Franjul, former senator of the Dominican Republic, and Juan Carlos Guzmán, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Peravia province. Delegates from regional public, private, educational, community, and religious institutions were also present.
Keynote Address on Youth Leadership
In the keynote speech of the event, Dániel Lajara, general director of Empowered Youth and president of the Lajara Foundation, called on attendees to accept their responsibility as a successor generation. Lajara stressed that young people must act as leaders of social transformation during challenging times.
Citing the Biblical text of 1 Timothy 4:12, where the Apostle Paul encourages young believers to set an example in speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity, Lajara stated that age does not restrict purpose, leadership, or the ability to make a positive societal impact.
Lajara urged attendees to serve as the light of the world and the salt of the earth by adhering to core values despite negative social pressures. He noted that while certain environments promote behaviors that diverge from truth, respect, and integrity, most young people remain committed to service, education, employment, faith, and positive community progress.
Lajara said that society cannot allow the noise of a few individuals to overshadow the testimony of thousands of young people who study, start businesses, work, serve, and fight daily to build a better country. He added that young Dominicans are a generation called to make a difference and inspire others, demonstrating that living with purpose and commitment is possible.
He further stated that young Dominicans represent a generational replacement raised by God for the present era, and that backed by Jesus Christ they will continue to advance despite difficulties. Lajara emphasized that platforms like the Empowered Youth Panel exist to showcase stories of effort and hope that often go unnoticed but represent the true character of Dominican youth.
Broadcasting and Event Sponsorship
The entire panel event was filmed by a production crew from Radio Televisión Dominicana, known as RTVD. The recorded program will be broadcast across the official channels of the state television network to reach a broader national audience.
The eighth edition was organized with support from local public, civic, and private organizations, including the Perelló Cultural Center, RTVD, Deputy Luis Báez, and the Civil Governorate of Peravia. Additional institutional and corporate sponsors included Funeraria JOREM, the Peravia Savings and Loan Association, Mello Electro Fácil, the UASD Baní Center, Casa Market Inmobiliaria, Dániel Súper Fría, and Helados Bon.
Over its eight year history, the Empowered Youth Panel has developed into a major Dominican forum for youth gathering, leadership training, and public recognition focused on social transformation and service.
