| A great line up of speakers from Cuba, the UK and North America look set to make Cuban Futures the most important conference on Cuba in Britain this year. CSC and SERTUC International Committee are organising a major one day conference on Cuba at the TUC Congress House on Saturday 3 October. It’s a must for anyone who wants a Cuban perspective on what’s really happening in the country. The historic opening of Cuban and US embassies in Washington and Havana on 20 July 2015 marks the first step on a long road to normalisation of relations. But what does this mean for Cuba and Cubans living both on and outside the island? How can the two countries have normal relations while the US maintains its illegal blockade and continues to occupy Guantánamo Bay? These are some of the thought-provoking questions that Cuban Futures will be asking and we have a great line up of speakers and experts to answer them. As well as leading speakers from Cuba, the conference brings together other experts on the Cuban Revolution, economy, democracy, trade union rights, US-Cuba relations, and internationalism. Academics, politicians, diplomats, trade union leaders, journalists and authors, as well as Cubans living both in the country and those in the UK will discuss recent developments and the opportunities and threats they pose to the Cuban Revolution. Workshop sessions include: n The blockade – where it’s at n US intervention – is it business as usual for US ‘regime change’ advocates? n What about the workers – new challenges for Cuban unions n Media myths and Cuban realities What now for the solidarity movement? A key discussion at the conference will be to discuss the important role that international solidarity still has to play to end the blockade once and for all, and to publicise and help defend the gains of the Cuban Revolution. Whilst US methods may be changing, the objective of regime change and promoting US interests on the island remain the same. Solidarity activists need to be armed with up to date information to counter new attacks against Cuba. Conference dinner The conference will be followed by a fundraising dinner providing a relaxed atmosphere to meet informally with other delegates and conference speakers and listen to after dinner speeches. Full details will be publicised shortly. Keynote speakers Dr Mariela Castro Espín (Cuba) Director of the Cuban National Centre for Sex Education and MP in Cuba’s National Assembly. Mariela is renowned for her work for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transvestite and transgender people. She is an advocate for fairer, more inclusive, and participatory socialism in Cuba. Alejandro Castro Espín (Cuba) A Doctor of Political Science and social researcher, Alejandro holds a master’s degree in international relations and is a regular contributor to the Cuban press. He is author of the 2009 book, Empire of Terror which focuses on the ideology of imperial power. Dr Carlos Alzugaray Treto (Cuba) A former Cuban diplomat, internationally recognised political analyst and university lecturer. His last two diplomatic posts were advisor to the Foreign Minister of Global Political Affairs and Cuba’s ambassador to the European Union. Her Excellency Teresita Vicente Teresita is the current ambassador to Britain. Previously to this she was the Cuban ambassador in Canada and has worked in the Cuban Foreign Ministry. Rt. Hon. Brian Wilson (UK) A former Energy Minister and Labour MP from 1987-2005. Currently chairman of Havana Energy - which has secured the first ever joint venture to build power stations fuelled by biomass from sugar plantations. Other speakers include Keith Bolender (Canadian lecturer in journalism and author), Dr Steve Ludlam (Sheffield University), Emily Kirk (Nottingham University), Lauren Collins (Cuban democracy researcher) plus many more special guests to be announced soon. Cuban Futures Conference Saturday 3 October, 9.30am-5pm Council Chamber, TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS Tickets £10 waged/£8 unwaged Limited places – please book early to avoid disappointment Call 0207 490 5715, email office@cuba-solidarity.org.uk or book online at www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk Cuban futures is organised by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and South East Region TUC International Committee and supported by the Ken Gill Memorial Trust and the Nick Burdon and Denis Blockley Memorial Trust Fund. Cuban Futures 2015 Tickets Book tickets online at www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk. Pay by credit card on 0207 490 5715. Or return the form below. I would like to book for Cuban Futures 2015 Please send me tickets priced £10 waged + tickets priced £8 unwaged I would also like to donate £ to the conference organisation costs. I enclose a total of £ Name Address Postcode Email Union and branch (if attending as a union delegate) Please send me details about the Conference Dinner when they become available I am a member of CSC Y / N Please make cheques payable to Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) Return to Cuba Solidarity Campaign, c/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB Nick Burdon & Denis Blockley Memorial Trust Fund Cuba Solidarity Campaign, c/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland St, London EC1V 8BB T. +44 (0) 207 490 5715 E. office@cuba-solidarity.org.uk www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk |