Cuba Report

Issue 10 June 2008    

 
  fff Forthcoming Events f
   

Sexuality and the Cuban Nation

From Cuba: Abel Sierra Madero

Wednesday June 25, 2008
6.30pm
Henry Thomas Room,
Tower Building,
Holloway Road,
(opposite Holloway Road Tube Station)

“Sexual Otherness in the construction of the Cuban nation"

This seminar will explore zones of otherness in the Cuban nation and reflect upon the means by which the Cuban sexual subject has been constructed. It will also discuss Cuban institutions and their methods of regulating and controlling sexuality in Cuba from the 19th Century to the present day.

wwAbel Sierra Madero, (b. Matanzas 1976) in an essayist and researcher who has lectured widely in Mexico and the United States. He currently serves as a researcher at the Fernando Ortiz Foundation in Havana where he is also editor of its Journal Catauro: The Cuban Review of Anthropology.  Abel is a member of UNEAC the Cuban authors and writers union. In 2006 he won the Casa de las Americas prize in for his book: Del otro lado del espejo. La sexualidad en la construcción de la nación cubana (From the other side of the mirror. Sexuality and and the Construction of the Cuban Nation)

To attend, please register by email: admin@cubastudies.org
This seminar has been facilitated with the kind support of Roehampton University

More details on our website


Cuban film season at the Barbican Centre

The Barbican Centre in the City of London is to host a festival of Cuban films from July 10-17, 2008.The IISC has helped with the preparation of the season and is inviting the Cuban film actress Mirtha Ibarra to take part in the event. Mirtha (pictured) will introduce films by her late husband Tomás Guttiérez Alea, one of which, Una Pelea Cubana Contra Los Demonios, is being especially restored to be shown in the UK for the first time.


Cuba's Engagement with China: Domestic and Regional Implications

ww

Monday 30 June, 2008

Dr. Adrian H. Hearn
Institute for International Studies
The University of Technology Sydney

Wednesday 30th July, 2008. 6.30pm
Henry Thomas Room,
North campus,
Holloway Road,
London, N7 8DB

 

 

This seminar examines how intensifying economic collaboration between Cuba and the People's Republic of China has impacted the island's domestic development strategies and the character of its relations with Latin America. In 2005 China became Cuba's second largest trading partner (after Venezuela) and Chinese industrial manufacturing firms have identified Cuba as a potential production platform for expanding their Latin American market.

Dr. Adrian H. Hearn (pictured) is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for International Studies, The University of Technology Sydney. Adrian has conducted research in Cuba (three years) and China (ten months), and is currently undertaking a study of Chinese engagement with Latin America.

Entrance to this seminar is FREE but to attend please register by email

For full details click here

  
 

  fff UK-Cuba Biotech conference set for 21 October in London f
   


The IISC and the Rt. Hon. Dr Ian Gibson MP, Chair of the All-Party Cuba Group at Westminster have teamed up to organise a conference on biotechnology in Cuba and the UK in October. At the time of writing the speakers had to be confirmed but leading exponents of Cuban research in this field have been invited.

Atlee Suite,
Portcullis House,
Houses of Parliament,
Westminster,
London,
SW1A 1AA
Followed by a reception

Cuba is in a unique position as its Biotechnology industry has developed entirely independently. As such the knowledge and expertise which has developed in Cuba is an untapped resource for countries such as the UK. This is a results orientated conference which will provide an opportunity to explore commercial research and trade opportunities as well as examining the future development of these opportunities between the UK and Cuba.
For more information visit our website

 
 
 
  cccc Collaborative research on Ethical Practices with Huddersfield University ccc
   

Rosemary Rae and Alison Rodriguez, both Senior Lecturers at Huddersfield University, are carrying out research into ethical practices in Cuba in co-operation with the International Institute for the Study of Cuba.
Working with Cuban academics and those involved in health and social care, they will be investigating the Cuban approach to ethics in research and practice. Rosemary, a Senior Lecturer in Social Work has a particular interest in social care whilst Alison, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, has a particular interest in health and psychological issues.

More details on our website

  
 
       
   

Health Study Tour 26 Nov


The first IISC Medical Study tour departs for Havana on 26 November for a ten day visit that includes participation in a major international conference on Medical Education in the 21st Century. The tour is aimed at Health profesionals and academics and will be led by Professor Patrick Pietroni. Visits will look at all aspects of Cuban medical care, including the system, its ethos, treatment regimes, institutions, research and facilities. IISC Director Professor Patrick Pietroni will lead the tour. Full details and the cost of participation can be found on our website.

For further information email Dr Stephen Wilkinson


London Met study tour departs December 6

Following the success of last year's London Metropolitan study tour to Cuba, the International Institute for the Study of Cuba has arranged another itinerary for 2008.
This tour has been organised in conjunction with the tour company Old Havana Ltd and departs for a week on December 6.
Full details are posted on our site here

The tour has been arranged for students and staff at London Metropolitan University but participants from other institutions are welcome.
It will be accompanied by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Assistant Director of the IISC.

To read what last year's group thought of the experience, click here



'There will be time to spend on the beaches too! '

Medical electives in Cuba

The IISC is in the process of setting up a programme for medical student electives in Cuba. The scheme will be designed to give students experience of the Cuban primary health care system through attachments both to hospitals and to polyclinics. The scheme is expected to start in 2009.


Special screening

La Lupe Queen of Latin Soul Weds. 18 June:
Click here

      

Help with study and research in Cuba


Through our office in Havana the IISC is now able to help students and academic researchers through the process of obtaining visas and placements.

For example, Florrie James (pictured) from The Glasgow School of Art travels to Havana in September 2008 for a three week elective studying painting and sculpture at the prestigious Instituto Superior del Arte.

The contact and arrangements for her study were made through our office in Havana and it is hoped that Florrie will be the first of many Glasgow School of Art students who will take advantage of this link.

Plans are also advanced to set up an arrangement whereby medical students will be able to arrrange their electives through the IISC.

In addition, the IISC has already helped various Masters and PhD students establish the contacts they require in order to study and research in Cuba.

ENQUIRIES for assistance and advice should be made to: admin@cubastudies.org

  
           
         
     

2nd Cranfield University student tour departs for Cuba 8th June

  
     




The second IISC organised tour for Cranfield Univeristy School of Management leaves for Havana on June 8th. Following the success of last year’s tour, the group has expanded to some 20 participants. The students, all taking the prestigious Cranfield Masters in Business Administration course will be accompanied by IISC assistant director Dr Stephen Wilkinson



Journal of Cuban studies to be launched

The International Journal of Cuban Studies is due to be launched in June. The first edition should be available online via the website www.cubastudiesjournal.org
from mid June, 2008.

  
               
  cccc IISC in Havana, the Amazon… and Ireland! ccc
   

The IISC's assistant director, Dr Stephen Wilkinson, was invited to Belem, capital of the Brazilian Amazonian state of Pará on May 29-30, 2008 for a conference organised by the local government in conjunction with the newspaper Le Monde Dipolomatique. The conference entitled: 'The Future of Democracy in Latin America: Social movements, political movements' was attended by over three hundred people.
Also in May, IISC Honorary Fellow, Dr Ken Cole attended the Siglo XXI conference in Havana .  Further details of both visits can be found in the Conference section of our website.

In July, the IISC is taking part in the Kinsale Arts Week Festival in Ireland, where it will be contributing to a discussion on the future of Cuba.

  
 
       
  cccc After Fidel seminar success ccc
   


On 20th May, 2008 Canning House, the Cuba Initiative and The International Institute for the Study of Cuba, London Metropolitan University, presented a roundtable entitled 'After Fidel: The prospects for change in Cuba and US/Cuba relations in the post-Castro/post-Bush era ' The evening held at Canning House in Belgrave Square, London, was attended by some 80 people.

 
 
       
  cccc Note to subscribers ccc
   

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