SANTO DOMINGO, August 9, 2008. – The humanitarian aid organization, Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) Dominicana, announced today it will honor Dr. Rubén Silié Valdez for his dedication to public service.

Ulrick Gaillard, BRA’s Founder/CEO said Silié has been part of BRA’s Board of Directors since its inception and an important contributor to strengthening the organization’s standing within the Dominican civil society.

Silié is being named “Assessor Ad-Vitam”—a lifetime consulting relationship with the organization—at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, August 14th, at 7 p.m. at the Dominican Academy of History, Las Mercedes 204, Zona Colonial, in Santo Domingo.

Silié is renowned in Latin America and the Great Caribbean as a sociologist, historian and educator. His academic accomplishments include writings in Sociology, Economic History, Development Studies and Program Planning. He has held the post of Director of the Latin American College for Social Sciences (FLACSO) in the Dominican Republic. Before holding this office, Silié was Vice-Dean at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) and professor at various universities around the country.

In recognition of Silié’s vast experience and knowledge in the fields of education and migration, he was appointed in 2001 Advisor to the Vice President and to the Department of Education, as well as ambassador in the Foreign Affairs Department. From 2004-2008, Silié held the prestigious post of Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States.

Founded in 1997, the Batey Relief Alliance addresses the socio-economic and health needs of children and their families severely affected by poverty, disease and hunger in the Caribbean. The organization created in 2000 a Dominican-based wing, BRA Dominicana, to help carry out its humanitarian mission inside the Dominican Republic. BRA Dominicana manages two modern medical facilities and implements more than a dozen health and development projects in HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, nutrition, water/sanitation, health and eye care, microcredit, etc.

To attend the event, please RSVP bra@bateyrelief.org or (809) 540-4947. Visit BRA at www.bateyrelief.org.