June

Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand
Newsletter
No.23
14th June 2015
Upcoming events
June
M
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
W
3
10
17
24
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
Investor Guide
Portfolio of opportunities for foreign investment
Law 118 foreign investment act
Legal framework of the special development zone of Mariel
In this issue



















US house trying to block Obama's Cuba policy
Cuban foreign minister applauds EU stance on blockade
European Union receives Cuban first vice president
Japanese foreign minister favours stronger ties
Germany sees benefits of rapprochement
Ministries of foreign affairs of Cuba and Canada get together
Cuba and Pakistan enjoy good relations
Cuba presents disability policies at UN
Kuwait supports rehabilitation of Cuban water reticulation
Chile medical brigade returns to Cuba
Surfacen, a Cuban drug for respiratory failure
Cuba to show development of its vaccines
A better world is not only possible, but necessary
CELAC-EU summit: as core for Latin America
Cuba hosts international symposium on mechanical ventilation
Five European firms support water investments
15th international Ernest Hemingway colloquium
Fidel Castro meets Reverend Joan Campbell
New Scenarios of Political Communication ends in Cuba
BLOCKADE
US house trying to block Obama's Cuba policy
In what has been considered
defiance
of
the
Cuba
rapprochement
policy
undertaken by President Barack
Obama, the US House of
Representatives has adopted a
clause
within the 2016
Transportation budget to retain
the Cuba-travel ban.
The initiative, which is part of
an offensive by ultra-right
sectors to torpedo, from
Capitol Hill, the thaw of
relations between Washington and Havana, was adopted by the Republican-dominated House
with only 25 Democrats in favour.
The move, sponsored by Floridan Republican Mario Diaz-Balart — a tough enemy of the
normalization of US-Cuba relations — would block the measures announced in January to
expand travel permits and commercial flights to Cuba.
However, the White House said that Obama is willing to veto that proposal, which still has to
go to the Senate. The ‘Neo-cons’ and anti-Cuba circles also propose a restriction of funds to
block the opening of embassies in both countries.
The House also adopted another initiative that would prohibit trading with certain Cuban
companies, but those who sponsor these and other anti-Cuba moves know well that they are
issues relevant to US foreign policy, which are mostly part of the prerogatives of the
government.
Meanwhile, many in Congress maintain a quite different view on bilateral relations with Cuba
claiming a bi-partisan consensus in favour of the lifting of the blockade.
Back to top
DIPLOMACY
Cuban foreign minister applauds EU stance on blockade
Cuban deputy foreign minister
Abelardo Moreno says the
European Union (EU)’s stance
regarding his country is evolving
positively.
‘The stance the EU has assumed
regarding
the
economic,
commercial
and
financial
blockade imposed by the United
States is of particular interest for
us,’ Moreno told media. Brussels was not limited to simply rejecting the extraterritorial
coercive measures, but was calling to end that policy entirety.
The Cuban deputy foreign minister said he expects that the European stance regarding to the
siege against his country would be expressed in the summit being held between the
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and EU.
Moreno recalled that after the summit, the fourth round of negotiations on the EU-Cuba
Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement will be run in the Belgian capital on June 15-16:
‘We hope to enter deeper negotiation of issues related to trade and political dialogue,’ he said.
Back to top
DIPLOMACY
European Union receives Cuban first vice president
High representative of the
European Union (EU) for
foreign affairs and security
policy Federica Mogherini
has received Cuban first
vice president Miguel DíazCanel in Brussels.
Díaz-Canel is heading the
Cuban delegation to the
CELAC-EU
summit,
bringing
together
representatives of 61
countries and international
organizations
in
the
Belgian capital.
‘We hope that the Summit will see a constructive dialogue to re-launch relations between
CELAC and the European Union,’ the Cuban first vice president told media.
The meeting with Mogherini occurs at a time when the EU and Havana are moving forwards in
the negotiations initiated in 2014 for a political dialogue and cooperation agreement.
Brussels and Havana have thus far held three rounds of talks, and the fourth is scheduled for
June 15 and 16 in Brussels, following the summit.
Mogherini paid a visit to Cuba in March, when she was received by President Raúl Castro.
‘Together we have much to build on to consolidate our relationship,’ Mogherini, who also acts
as vice-president of the European Commission, said at that time.
In addition to meeting with Mogherini, the Cuban first vice president also held
meetings with the prime ministers of Slovenia and Luxembourg, Miro Cerar and Xavier
Bettel.
Back to top
DIPLOMACY
Japanese foreign minister favours stronger ties
Japanese minister of foreign
affairs Fumio Kishida has
expressed
to
Cuba’s
ambassador Marcos Rodriguez
in Japan the hope that his
recent visit to Cuba would
contribute to a strengthening
of bilateral ties.
He met President Raul Castro
and the historic leader of the
Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro
and held official talks with his
Cuban peer Bruno Rodriguez.
In his conversation with Kishida, the Cuban diplomat gave a detailed account on the progress
of the different accords and decisions reached during his stay in the island.
Rodriguez said that both countries were working to make progress in exchanges and ties in a
number of different fields.
Back to top
DIPLOMACY
Germany sees benefits of rapprochement
Cuban
foreign
affairs
minister Bruno Rodriguez
and
his
German
counterpart, Frank-Walter
Steinmeier have discussed
the possibility of increasing
links in all sectors, during a
meeting they had in
Brusselson the eve of the
second summit between
the Community of Latin
American and Caribbean
States (CELAC) and the
European Union (EU).
‘We talked about the need to find ways to facilitate the development of bilateral economic
relations to face problems arising from financial blockade against Cuba,’ said Rodriguez, adding
that ties between the two countries had a solid basis and they would continue expanding them
at all levels.
‘Germany is an important economic partner of our country and the modernization of the
Cuban economy also means an opportunity for German companies,’ he said.
German foreign minister Steinmeier welcomed the process started last December for the reestablishment of relations between Cuba and the United States.
The Cuban foreign Minister invited his German counterpart to visit Cuba and enjoy the
hospitality of its people.
The visit would take place after other top European officials had been to the island, including
French president Francois Hollande; as well as the EU’s Frederica Mogherini.
‘I know we will have to work hard to arrive at substantial conclusions at the summit,’ said
Rodriguez, who considered it possible to change the nature of current regional relations to
make them mutually advantageous.
Back to top
DIPLOMACY
Ministries of foreign affairs of Cuba and Canada get together
First deputy foreign minister of
Cuba Marcelino Medina González
paid an official visit to Canada last
week to participate in bilateral
consultations
between
the
ministries of foreign affairs.
The Cuban delegation, including
Elio Rodríguez Perdomo, director
of the Europe and Canada division
of Cuba’s foreign ministry; Julio
Garmendia
Peña,
Cuba’s
ambassador in Canada; Deborah
Ojeda, counsellor minister and deputy head of mission, and Victor Cairo, an official of the
Cuban foreign ministry, was received at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Trade and Development of Canada, by the deputy minister Daniel Jean; senior associate
deputy minister of foreign Affairs, Peter Boehm; assistant deputy minister, David Morrison,
and deputy minister of international development, Malcolm Brown.
The delegations held official talks and had a working lunch at the headquarters of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. Later that afternoon the Cuban delegation
was received by the minister of state (foreign and consular) Lynne Yelich.
Next day the Cuban delegation was received at his office on Parliament Hill by parliamentary
secretary to the minister of foreign affairs, Deepak Obrhai. Medina and Obrhai exchanged
different points of view about several topics of interest for the relations between the two
countries and the possibility of increasing parliamentary exchanges.
Both delegations reviewed the current state of relations during their meetings. The bilateral
agenda was enlivened by a wide range of political, economic, and social issues as well as
subjects like regional integration and regional security.
The embassy of Cuba in Canada hosted a welcoming reception, attended by over 20 members
of parliament and senators, as well as officials from the Canadian government and department
of foreign affairs, trade and development. As part of the programme the Cuban first deputy
foreign minister also gave an interview to the weekly embassy`s newspaper, which specializes
in foreign policy issues. The interview highlighted this year’s celebration of the 70th
anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Canada.
Both the Cuban and Canadian governments, confirmed during the consultations a willingness
to continue strengthening bilateral relations.
Back to top
DIPLOMACY
Cuba and Pakistan enjoy good relations
While relationships in the political
sphere, and cooperation between
Pakistan and Cuba are very good, says
our chargé d'affaires Naeem Khan, there
is also room for improvement in the
economic sphere.
Khan told media that 2015 marked 60
years of diplomatic ties, a period in which
the two nations have maintained a fluid
dialogue and close cooperation at
bilateral level and in forums such as the
Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77,
and the United Nations General
Assembly.
He stated that this anniversary favoured the celebration of friendship between the two
peoples and it was also a good time for the two sides to assess new opportunities for
exchange.
Naeem Khan referred to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that devastated the country in 2005,
and recalling the 2,500 Cuban physicians from the Henry Reeve International Medical
Contingent who came to assist victims.
After the disturbances, both countries reopened embassies and relations had strengthened
since then, he said.
Cuba made available 1,000 scholarships to Pakistani youth with aspirations to become
physicians: 863 had already graduated and others were continuing their studies.
He noted that in keeping with the context of the updating of the Cuban economic and social
model, and after the December 17 announcement of the beginning of the process to normalize
ties between Cuba and the United States, many Pakistani investors had showed interest in this
field.
Back to top
SOLIDARITY
Cuba presents disability policies at UN
Last week Cuba presented its
policies regarding the rights of
disabled people and their
inclusion
within
society,
reports
Cuba’s
deputy
permanent representative to
the UN, Oscar León.
During
the
conference
between signatories of the
Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, he
noted
that
visible
achievements
have
been
realized on the island despite
the US blockade, the limitations Cuba faces as a developing country, and the devastating
impact of severe weather.
According to León, noteworthy actions include the implementation of a strategy based on the
principles of freedom, equality, social justice and inclusion, as well as three national plans
applied from 1995 through 2016, to support those with physical, mental or sensory limitations.
Cuba’s policies regard disabled people as holders of rights with different capabilities, from a
medical, educational and social-legal perspective, which aim to promote their physical
rehabilitation, mastery and development of their abilities and social inclusion.
During the forum, León also noted that the objective of such policies is to achieve full social
integration and improve the quality of life of this section of the population.
He continued stating that although Cuba does not have a specific law relating to disabled
people, there exist various legal bodies which guarantee protection for these citizens, among
them Children and Youth, Family, Civil and Work and Legal codes.
Back to top
SOLIDARITY
Kuwait supports rehabilitation of Cuban water reticulation
The Kuwait Fund for Arab
Economic Development has
maintained
good
cooperation with Cuba in the
rehabilitation
of
water
supply networks in several
provinces and the capital.
Representative
Abdullah
Khal-Musaibeeh, stated that
about four cooperation
projects were being implemented in Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Havana, recalling that he
visited Cuba in March 2015 accompanied by the fund's general director, Abdulwahab Al-Bader,
when some accords were signed to support with funding credits the rehabilitation of water
supply networks and sewerage in the island's capital.
He explained that he is again here to participate in the Cubagua event, where his institution is
presenting a lecture on its role in water and sanitation financing projects, and also to examine
the course of cooperation.
He reiterated the fund's willingness to maintain and continue collaboration it has with Cuba in
all projects related to the water sector.
According to the National Institute of Hydraulic Resource (INRH), the Kuwaitis entity has
contributedUS$52 million for the rehabilitation of water supply networks and sewerage to
benefit the population and the capital's institutions.
The INRH is one of the agencies most involved in international cooperation in financing
development programmes, through government credits and donations.
Back to top
SOLIDARITY
Chile medical brigade returns to Cuba
The medical brigade that left
for Chile two months ago to
provide care to people
affected by severe flooding
and heavy rains returned to
Cuba early today.
The group, comprised of 15
professionals
—
nine
physicians, four professionals
in nursing and two in hygiene
and epidemiology — was
satisfied with the work carried
out in the region of Atacama,
the country's northern area,
where about 5,800 patients were assisted and some 2,500 houses were visited.
Carlos Perez Diaz, head of the brigade, told media that after arrival, the contingent found ‘a
complex epidemiological situation’ characterized by ‘the environmental pollution, encouraging
respiratory afflictions, high risk of waterborne diseases due to the accumulation of excreta,
improper final disposal of solid and liquid wastes, and difficulties with the drinking water.’
Skin problems, mycosis and diseases associated with heavy metals in a mining zone, were also
on the list, he noted.
However, the physician stated that two months later the health environment was obviously
improving, and the result of the work by the Cubans seen and well accepted, not only by the
health authorities, but also by the population of the indigenous communities.
Back to top
RESEARCH
Surfacen, a Cuban drug for respiratory failure
Surfacen, a natural surfactant, developed
in Cuba, is a therapeutic option available
in the country's all-intensive therapies to
treat children and adults with many
respiratory pathologies.
Its use began some 20 years ago in
newborn children with respiratory
distress syndrome, also known as Hyaline
Membrane Disease, an affliction that
frequently appears in premature babies
and is often a major cause of mortality, pediatric intensive care physician Doctor Valentin
Rodriguez Moya told media.
‘The use of Surfacen decreases artificial ventilation requirements and promotes the rapid
improvement of the symptoms to raise oxygen levels in blood,’ he said.
The medicine was registered in 1995. In 2010, a clinical trial was carried out for adults with
respiratory failure and a phase-four test was completed in 2014 for paediatric patients, so it
was currently used satisfactorily by all age groups, he pointed out.
The drug has the main properties of lung surfactants available globally (almost exclusively from
highly developed countries), with similar results in reducing infant mortality by this condition,
he said.
The product, currently used in Angola and waiting on approval by other countries such as Chile
and Peru, will be debated in the Eighth International Symposium on Mechanical Ventilation,
opening this week in Havana.
Back to top
RESEARCH
Cuba to show development of its vaccines
The development of vaccines
against infectious diseases will
be one of the subjects of the
International Congress of the
National Centre for Scientific
Research — CNIC 2015 —
from June 22 to 26 in Havana.
According to the organizing
committee other issues of
CNIC 2015 are related to
health implementation of
ozone, management of waste in the pharmaceutics' industry, natural products to treat
inflammatory and chronic diseases, as well as advances and prospects of the design of finished
pharmaceutics products.
Every five years, the event gathers national and foreign specialists with the objective of
discussing issues related to products developed by the institution, and also to exhibit
innovating products and technologies manufactured by health, pharmaceutical and
biotechnological industries.
The congress will celebrate the 50 years of CNIC, an institution considered the flagship of the
Cuban science specialized in scientific research, production and commercialization of products
and scientific-technical services in the natural, bio-medical and technological sciences.
Back to top
LATIN AMERICA
A better world is not only possible, but necessary
Miguel Díaz-Canel, first vice
president of Cuba’s councils of
state and ministers, declared on
June 11, during his remarks to the
Peoples’ Summit, that not only is a
better world possible, but in fact
necessary for the survival of
humanity.
The event coincided with the
Community of Latin American and
Caribbean States (CELAC)-European
Union Summit, also held in
Brussels.
Díaz-Canel conveyed greetings to
the gathering from the historic
leader of the Cuban Revolution,
Fidel Castro, and President Raúl Castro Ruz.
He noted that the many years of efforts to isolate Cuba in Latin America have given way to a
time of changes, which are benefiting the people across the continent.
He likewise highlighted the importance of the CELAC proclamation of the region as a zone of
peace, and its call to respect the right of all to choose their own political, economic and social
system.
During his much-applauded speech, Díaz-Canel also reiterated Cuba’s support for Venezuela,
Argentina, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico in their struggles against U.S. imperialism, and
emphasized that the fight to end the US blockade of Cuba is on-going.
Back to top
LATIN AMERICA
CELAC-EU summit: as core for Latin America
The Second Summit of
the Community of Latin
American
and
Caribbean
States
(CELAC)
and
the
European Union (EU)
held
in
Brussels,
collectively agreed to
strengthen the biregional relationship
and was a positive for
countries on ‘south of
the Rio Bravo’ balance.
It was a very fruitful meeting that served to bring the two blocks closer said the Ecuador head
of state and current CELAC president Rafael Correa in the closing ceremony, attended by over
40 leaders and high-level delegations from 61 countries.
For two days, leaders of both sides discussed a wide range of issues ranging from climate
change to poverty reduction, migration, trade development and access to new technologies.
The parties agreed on the need to work together to achieve binding agreements at the
conference to be held in Paris this year to discuss the challenges of climate change.
They also discussed migration to Europe, due to lack of opportunities in countries of origin,
and agreed that the problem required an assessment and concerted international response.
Another issue on the table was the need to deepen mutual ties, to reach their full potential
and set them aimed at achieving strong and sustainable growth.
‘Our region no longer requires support to build a small school’ said Correa claiming that human
talent, science and technology was available throughout the region.
But beyond the bi-regional issues, the Brussels Declaration delegates picked topics of great
interest and concern in Latin America.
‘The balance is very positive for Argentina and the region;, declared Argentina's foreign
minister, Hector Timerman, at the end of the summit.
The final document included for the first time two closely linked points with Argentina — the
need to protect sovereign debt restructuring and respect for the territorial integrity, referring
to the conflict over the Falkland Islands.
There were also signs of support for Venezuela, with the explicit rejection of the summit to
enforce unilateral coercive measures that were contrary to international law.
The final text of Brussels takes note of the special declaration of CELAC, from January 29, 2015,
warning against unilateral actions applied to Venezuela, and the solidarity statement delivered
by that body on 26 March.
The leaders welcomed the announcement last December 17, by the presidents of Cuba, Raul
Castro, and the United States, Barack Obama, to move towards the restoration and
normalization of bilateral relations.
‘In this context, we expect all necessary steps towards the early end of the blockade will be
taken,’ says the statement, which also rejects the application of the extraterritorial provisions
of the Helms-Burton Act.
The summit welcomed the commitment made by the CELAC in Havana declaring Latin America
as a zone of peace and to settle disputes by peaceful means.
It also expressed its satisfaction with the dialogue process between the government and the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and urged the parties to conclude negotiations as
soon as possible.
The European Union approved the creation of a trust fund to assist the South American
country after the conflict, the oldest in the Americas.
The summit, held in the European district of Brussels, was the second with the EU since the
creation of the CELAC, although contacts between the two blocks date from 1999.
The event had the theme 'Shaping our common future: working towards prosperous, cohesive
and sustainable societies for our citizens.‘
In parallel, at the other end of the Belgian capital, the People's Summit was held, attended by
over a thousand delegates from 43 nations, especially in Europe, Latin America and the
Caribbean.
Support for Venezuela, rejecting the blockade against Cuba, support for Argentina in its
legitimate claim of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, and Ecuador against the excesses of
transnational interference, were main topics in the speeches of the speakers gathered at the
National Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Read in full:↓
EU-CELAC Brussels declaration
EU-CELAC political declaration
EU-CELAC action plan
Back to top
TECHNOLOGY
Cuba hosts international symposium on mechanical ventilation
The Eighth International Symposium on Mechanical Ventilation and the Seventh Pan-American
Congress on Nursing in Intensive Care began this week.
President of the organizing committee Pedro Luis Veliz stated that both meetings are being
held for the first time in Cuba as a recognition of the work of the country's professionals in
those two branches of intensive care and emergency.
Physiology for the ventilated
patient, basic principles of
mechanical ventilation, artificial
airways, conventional ventilation
modes,
new
modalities,
complications in mechanical
ventilation, are some of the
issues conforming the scientific
agenda of the forum.
The mechanical ventilation is a therapeutic resource for life support, which has decisively
contributed to improve survival in critically ill patients with respiratory, cardiovascular and
cerebral diseases, trauma, and other complex medical problems, Veliz told media.
The meeting brings together experts from the Americas, Spain, Australia and United Arab
Emirates.
Aspects related to nursing care in mechanical ventilation, management of infections, and
training of human resources in critical care, were also be under discussion.
Several pre-congress courses were also being held in different areas of the University of
Medical Sciences of Havana and some hospitals of the Cuban capital.
Back to top
TECHNOLOGY
Five European firms support water investments
Cuba has signed five agreements
with
European
companies
supporting investments in the field
of water supply and treatment,
developed by Cuba, the National
Institute of Hydraulic Resources
(INRH) has told media.
‘They are agreements for transfer
of technology, rather than
funding,’ said INRH director of
international relations and foreign
trade Vladimir Cabrales ‘Such pacts are aimed at the repair of pumping equipment, leak
detection. networks and waste processing,’ he said.
Also the sharing of experiences with Cuban technicians is guaranteed, said Cabrales, who
explained what Cuba had achieved with German and Finish companies.
Of the Cubagua 2015 show, then concluding, he said the participation of both experts and
exhibitors far exceeded the expectations of the organizers, in the first case in more than a
hundred participants and a dozen countries.
The exhibition area nearly doubled expectations, and covered 166 000m2.
Both agreements in the form of scientific papers presented were a contribution to better
management of national water policy, he said.
The forum brought together over 600 experts and entrepreneurs from 22 countries in addition
to 73 companies, including eight from Cuba.
Back to top
INSIDE CUBA
15th international Ernest Hemingway colloquium
In the prologue to his
novel Green hills of Africa,
Ernest Hemingway states,
‘The author has attempted to
write an absolutely true
book.’
80 years after its publication,
the international colloquium
bearing his name is once
again attempting to generate
a greater and more profound
understanding
of
this
important author of US and
global literature.
No less than 15 editions of the colloquium have taken place in Havana, always with the
participation of academics from various countries — obviously noteworthy among which are
those from the U.S — who discuss topics related to the life and work of Hemingway and the
persistence of his legacy.
According to comments made by Ada Rosa Alfonso, president of the organizing committee and
director of the Finca Vigía museum, in a recently held press conference; this encounter, from
June 18-21, will be no exception.
Alfonso noted that the site of the colloquium will be the Palacio O’Farrill (a typical example of
19th century neo-classical Havana architecture, located on the streets Cuba and Chacón in the
city’s colonial centre, and reportedly the former residence of one of the most affluent families
of the period), and highlighted some of the important presentations taking place.
For example, Alfonso herself and Mary Jo Adams, executive director of the Finca Vigía
Foundation, from the US, have been working on the theme A joint effort to preserve
Hemingway’s legacy in Cuba; and Professor Hideo Yanagisawa, from the University of Meijo,
Japan, will discuss the Digital Archives Project on notes in the collection of Ernest Hemingway
books at the Finca Vigia, Cuba.
Among other topics to be addressed in the colloquium will be Jace Gatzemeyer from the
Pennsylvania State University’s dissertation, In search of “the real thing”: A reassessment of
“Hemingway’s style;” while Russell Reising, professor of American Literature and Culture from
the University of Toledo, Ohio, will present The ethics of sporting life in the novel The sun also
rises by Ernest Hemingway.
The colloquium will also be the perfect moment to launch two new books; El último león by
Professor Ricardo Koon and Hemingway: ese desconocido by Enrique Cirules.
Furthermore, commemorated during the event will be the 80th anniversary of the publication
of Green hills of Africa - a text noteworthy for the richness of its descriptions - and the 90 years
since the publication of his first book, a volume of short stories entitled In our time.
Both texts will be discussed by Jorge Santos (The sweet enchantment of the Green hills of
Africa) and Krista Quesenberry, from Pennsylvania State University (In Our Time), respectively.
As part of the colloquium program, participants will of course tour the Finca Vigía; other sites
around Havana linked to author’s stay on the island, among them the Floridita bar and
restaurant, which boasts a famous life-size bronze statue of Hemingway by sculptor José Villa
Soberón; and the fishing village of Cojimar, where he docked his yacht El Pilar, and in whose
main square stands a bust of the author by sculptor Fernando Boada, made of pieces of bronze
collected by local fishermen.
Havana was a special place for Ernest Hemingway. He wrote one of his most famous novels The old man and the sea - winner of the 1953 Pulitzer Prize and 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature
- at the Finca Vigía, located in the capital’s San Francisco de Paula neighbourhood. He also
wrote a large part of For whom the bell tolls in the Ambos Mundos hotel in the Havana’s
historic centre.
The 15th International Colloquium is another step toward discovering an “absolutely true”
Ernest Hemingway.
Back to top
INSIDE CUBA
Fidel Castro meets Reverend Joan Campbell
Cuban Revolution leader Fidel
Castro was last week visited by
the Reverend Joan Campbell, in
Cuba on the invitation of the
Evangelic Theology Seminary
located in the western province
of Matanzas.
During the meeting, Fidel and
the
distinguished
visitor
addressed different issues in an
environment of friendship and
good relations forged over the
years — given the countless
gestures of support by the Reverend Campbell for the Cuban people, the Granma newspaper
reported.
The Reverend Joan Campbell was the first ordained woman to become general secretary of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ USA.
Back to top
INSIDE CUBA
New Scenarios of Political Communication ends in Cuba
The international conference
New Scenarios of Political
Communication in the Digital
Sphere-2015 has ended after
rich
debates
covering
cybersecurity, governance of
the internet and the digital gap.
Experts and official delegates of
34 countries of all continents
attended this event sponsored
by the Cuban ministry of foreign
relations and listened to a
report from the presidency of the event that summarised discussions at the meetings and led
on to the closing ceremony.
This conference promoted debates on cardinal issues that affect the world, such as political
communication in the digital sphere and the development and use of the Information and
communication technologies (ICT) and their impact on international relations, among other
topics.
Delegates entered their discussions the eve on topics like cybersecurity, governance of the
internet and the technological sovereignty of nations.
In that regard, special attention and analysis were given to issues such as cybercrime and
international law, cyberespionage and cyberwar as violating practices of State sovereignty and
international cooperation in the area of cybersecurity, among other topics.
Also, aspects relative to Internet governance and its challenges, the state of compliance with
the agreements of the world summit of the information society, the impact of ICT in less
favoured countries and sectors and the digital gap.
Back to top
Upcoming events
Convention IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY–VACCIPHARMA 2015
16th edition of the International Congress of the National Center for Scientific Research
CNIC 2015
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in New Zealand
76 Messines Rd, Karori, Wellington 6012
www.cubadiplomatica.cu/nuevazelanda/EN/Home.aspx
Visit the Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand Facebook page
Text edited by David Reade of International Public Relations (ipr.bz) on behalf of the Cuban Embassy, Wellington, from Cuban news
agency sources