Cuba

Location
Cuba offers a rich cross-cultural educational opportunity – Cuba’s political and socio-economic realities are fascinating to explore, and the public health and education systems are interesting as well. Arts and culture are central in Cuba; Afro-Cuban culture plays a key role in the country, as does the legacy of Spanish colonialism and the roots of the Taino and Ciboney cultures.

Cuba is the most populous island nation in the Caribbean with 11 million residents.  The majority of days with CGE in Cuba are spent in Havana, the capital, with a day or two in a more rural setting.

Possible Program Themes

• Government and Politics
• Business and Economy
• Education
• Health Care
• Women/Gender Issues
• Language, Culture, and Music

Potential Lectures/Visits

• Visit the Che Guevara Monument and Museum
• Visit the rural community of Puerto Esperanza, known for their tobacco growing
• Discussion at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations
• Visit a free-enterprise agricultural market and speak with independent farmers and cooperative members, and visit a bodega (ration store)
• Meet with a member of the Cuban Federation of Women
• Attend the Cuban National Ballet
• Visit with a neighborhood family doctor to discuss local health care issues

Staff

Program staff from one of our permanent sites will accompany groups to Cuba.  Design and coordination occurs in conjunction with our partner in Cuba, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center.  The MLK Center’s fundamental objective is to stand in solidarity with the Cuban people and its churches. The MLK Center is composed of many different faith communities whose commitment to the goals of the Cuban Revolution unites them in service.  The MLK Center is also home to the Paulo Freire Information and Documentation Center as part of its commitment to the principles of popular education.

Accommodations
Lodging is in modest hotels, guest houses, or at the MLK Jr. Center.

Visit our Overview and How-To Page to learn more about developing a seminar in Cuba with CGE, step-by-step.