Conference Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution
(Last Call)
The conclusion of the year 1998 will mark the 40th anniversary of the
triumph of the Cuban Revolution. La Casa de Altos Estudios "Don Fernando
Ortiz" of the University of Havana will convene a conference commemorating
this important event. The conference is intended for academics, writers,
artists and students. Cubans and foreigners are invited to participate in
the discussions, round tables and cultural activities planned for the
conference. The conference will be held at the University of Havana from
November 18 through November 21, 1998.
The themes for discussion will include the following: the historic
dynamic of the Cuban Revolution; groups, sectors and social classes in the
process of the Cuban Revolution; the women's revolution; revolution,
economy and social development; community and revolution; revolution,
democracy and human rights; ideology and revolution; education and health;
cultural revolution; the conflict between Cuba and the United States;
revolution and emigration; the Cuban Revolution in the popular
imagination; and international relations and activities of the Cuban
revolution. The program will include presentations by actors in the Cuban
process during the course of the last 40 years. In addition, during the
program, a sample of the most well-known expressions of Cuban culture will
be presented, along with conferences and discussions concerning these
expressions of art.
La Casa de Altos Estudios "Don Fernando Ortiz" has asked the Center
for Development Studies to organize a delegation from the United States to
participate in the conference. U.S. participants wishing to make
presentations can do so in English or Spanish. Translators will be
available to translate presentations made in English and to provide
interpretations for those not understanding or needing assistance with
Spanish.
The Center for Development Studies has arranged through el Centro de
Organizacion y Promocion de Eventos at the University of Havana for a
program that includes two days of activities in Havana prior to the
beginning of the conference. These activities include visits to museums
and historical sites as well as opportunities to visit a local
neighborhood and meet with leaders of neighborhood organizations. Most of
these activities are planned for Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November
17. The conference itself is Wednesday through Saturday, November 18-21.
Participants should plan to arrive in Havana on Sunday, November 15 and to
depart on Sunday, November 22.
Four packages are provided. The packages include hotel
accommodation in double or single room for seven nights, breakfast and
dinner or breakfast only, transportation between airport and hotel and to
all conference events, conference registration, translator services, visa
from Cuban government, license to travel to Cuba from U.S. government, and
fees to the Center for Development Studies. The four packages are (1)
double room, breakfast only, $540; (2) double room, breakfast and dinner,
$615; (3) single room, breakfast only, $645; (4) single room, breakfast
and dinner, $720. Participants must make their own arrangements for air
travel to Havana. For flight information, contact Marazul Tours,
201-319-9670, fax 201-319-9009.
U.S. citizens wishing to participate should send the following
information by September 1: full name, position (full title, e.g.,
professor of sociology), institution, work address, home address, work
telephone, home telephone, fax number, e-mail address, passport
information (passport number, date of issue, country and place of issue,
expiration date), place of birth and date of birth. Those wishing to give
a presentation should provide a title and one-page abstract of their
presentation. (Please submit the title and the abstract in the language
in which you intend to present). Send the information by U.S. mail,
e-mail, or fax to Charles McKelvey, Center for Development Studies, 210
Belmont Stakes, Clinton, South Carolina 29325; e-mail
<cemck@cs1.presby.edu>; fax 864-833-8481. The Center for Development
Studies will make consolidated applications for travel licenses from the
U.S. government and visas from the Cuban government.
The Center for Development Studies is a non-profit organization
incorporated in the state of South Carolina on September 23, 1996. Its
objectives include increasing understanding of Central America and the
Caribbean by conducting travel seminars. In June 1997, the Center for
Development Studies conducted its inaugural project, when a group of eight
faculty and graduate students in the fields of sociology and political
science from various colleges and universities in the United States
participated in a three-week travel seminar and research project in Cuba,
conducted jointly by the Center for Development Studies and la Facultad
Latinoamericana de Ciences Sociales (FLACSO), Programa Cuba. In July
1998, the Center for Development Studies, again in cooperation with
FLACSO Cuba, sponsored an experiential research seminar in Cuba. Entitled
"The Cuban Revolution: Surviving into the 21st Century," eight university
and college professors and graduate students in the social sciences,
Romance languages and literature from various universities and colleges in
the United States participated. The Center for Development Studies
intends to conduct a similar seminar in Cuba in June, 1999.