The way that the Cuban “issue” is perceived in Miami is changing. In addition to the growing interest of the Cuban community in normalizing relations with its country, organizations and groups are seeking for alternative approaches, based on respect and unity of the nation.
In this framework, we can see the conference “The Cuba- U.S. relations in the second Obama Administration: the Cuban American community and the changes in Cuba – Building bridges for better relations “, organized by Cuban Americans for Engagement (CAFE) and with the collaboration of FORNORM, Generación Cambio Cubano and Cuba Educational Travel, which will take place in Miami on March 15.
The conference therefore seeks to find new prospects for greater exchange between Cuba and the United States, respecting individual ideologies and sovereignty of the island. Also it will emphasize the need for a less hostile policy by the U.S. and progressive and moderate sectors of the Cuban-American community to participate and promote this approach.
This meeting aims to discuss a minimum and concrete agenda from which it can contribute with constructive ideas to the Obama administration if it decides to advance further exchange or dialogue with Cuba and, at the same time, to inform the Cuban government and society of the existence of a growing community of Cuban residents in the U.S. who want to participate in the changes taking place on the island
The event will consist of three panels. The first will discuss the changes in Cuba since 2009 to date, the second will address the dynamics of interaction between peoples within the framework of the policy of the current administration, and the last item will be the relations between the Governments of Cuba and the U.S. and its impact on Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits. The panels have areas to discuss and ask questions to the panelists.
The afternoon session will attempt to become a discussion among all participants in order to take the pulse of the thinking on Cuba and to exchange opinions, concerns and expectations about Cuba and its relations with its Diaspora.
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This conference is part of the effort CAFE has been doing since its foundation. Members of the organization have made several trips to Washington where they visited the Congress of the United States and have raised their concerns to representatives thereof. Likewise they have held meetings with Cuban authorities of the Cuban Interests Section. Other events and conferences have taken place in different states, but this, to be held for the first time in Miami, is of particular interest.
“We know that Cubans living in the United States mainly want to have a better relationship with Cuba and an end to the embargo policy,” Maria Isabel Alfonso, scholar and a professor at St. Joseph ‘s College and director of CAFÉ, said
This assertion has found support in the recent survey published by the Atlantic Council , which showed 64% of Cubans living in Miami Dade County are favorable to ending the embargo / blockade , as the two parties call the conflict that has lasted for over 53 years .
“For us Cubans living in the U.S., the anomaly in the relations between our homeland and our adopted country hurts. It is our duty to encourage a change in U.S. policy towards Cuba, and this conference, to provoke, to find the best path between all concerned, the formula that lead to national reconciliation to normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba “said Hugo Cancio , Director of Generacion Cambio Cuba and Editor in Chief of OnCuba magazine, who will also be one of the panelists at the conference.
“We come from a difficult past when we were wrongs on both sides, but our fundamental commitment is to a better future. Cuba is in a time of change and it is our interest to be part of it. So we will discuss ways to bond more from all points of view, economic, social and political in our country. We do it for the benefit of the country where we were born, the Cuban- American community to which we belong and the U.S., a country where we have been welcomed, and where we have home and family, ” Professor Maria Isabel Alfonso insists.
Meetings like this are a sign that Cuba is no longer an issue corroded by polarity and that in Cubans on either side of the strait prevail the need to build bridges with an eye toward a better future for all Cubans.
The event will be attended by top-level panelists made up by scholars, entrepreneurs and social activists groups. The efforts of these organizations to encourage a constructive dialogue between the members of the Cuban nation is particularly important that they can participate speakers residing in Cuba, opening a way to a smooth and consistent relationship between those looking for a normal relationship between Cubans.
Panelists participating are:
Geoff Thale: Director of Washington Office on Latin America Program, with special focus on Cuba Relations – USA
Hugo Cancio : Founder and President of Fuego Enterprise. Director of OnCuba
Arturo Lopez – Levy : Political and economic analyst at the University of Denver. Member of CAFE.
Roberto Veiga and Lenier Gonzalez : Espacio Laical Editors, publication of the Archdiocese of Havana.
Collin Laverty: President of Cuba Educational Travel. And author of Cuba’s New Resolve: Economic Reform and its Implications for U.S. Policy.
Abiel San Miguel: Owner and manager of the famous ” paladar ” Doña Eutimia in Havana.
Silvia Wilhelm: Founder and Executive Director of Puentes Cubanos Inc. and the Cuban – American Commission for Family Rights.
Antonio Zamora: Author of What I Learned About Cuba By Going To Cuba, Professor at Florida International University and co owner of CubaNews .
Dr. Guillermo Grenier : Professor at Florida International University, FIU Cuba Poll leading researcher sponsored by the FIU Cuban Research Institute.
Yasmin Portales : Arcoiris Project Coordinator, blogger and member of the Critical Observatory Network
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Jorge de Armas
