Cuba Promotes Educational Collaboration with Mali
Havana, Aug 29 (AIN) "A hundred young Malians are studying medicine
in Cuba thanks to the support offered by the island's government,"
stated the ambassador of Mali in Cuba, Fidele Diarra.
The Republic of Mali and Cuba established diplomatic relations in October 1960. Presently, Cuba has expanded its assistance to educate Malian youth in different fields of medicine that are in great demand in that West African nation.
The ambassador noted also that some 100 Cuban physicians have been serving
in seven of the eight regions of Mali - including Timbuktu - for the past
five years as part of the humanitarian assistance offered by President Fidel
Castro at the UN's Millennium Summit, reported Cuba's Trabajadores newspaper.
Diarra, who is a graduate of the University of Havana, underscored the ethics
and professionalism of Cuban doctors. He also expressed his satisfaction
with Cuban-Malian relations not only in the field of medicine, but in culture,
education and sports as well.
Cuba
and Mali have signed over 20 agreements which represent a clear example
of what can be done through cooperation between developing countries. Over
500 Malians have graduated from Cuban universities in recent years.
Taken
from Daily News
27 July, 2005
GABORONE
- Cubans in Botswana celebrates 52 years of independence, which started
with a cocktail party in Gaborone at the Cuban embassy.
First secretary Patricia Pego said that normally in Cuba this day is celebrated
in forms of parties.
Pego also indicated that in their country the celebration customarily starts
on the eve of July 26.
Cuba gained its independence after a revolutionary attack that was made
at Fort Moncada by young rebels.
That is why it is called the national rebellion day of Cuba.
The Cuban government has expanded its scholarship programme always paying
a close attention to the interests of those countries that have sought their
cooperation.
From 30 nations of sub-Saharan Africa students have graduated in Cuba.
This month the first Batswana students will be graduating in Cuba.
Havana has also a comprehensive healthcare programme, which has expanded
to some African countries.
Cuba volunteers in Botswana are an example of that particular programme.
Cuban Film Festival honours Asafa Powell
By
Kareem Kareen
June 26, 2005
After an aborted attempt at establishing one in the 70s, the first festival
of Cuban films was held in Jamaica last week. It closed in style, under
the stars, at Redbones on Braemar Ave on the weekend.
The MC, Consul of Cuba, Arsenio Lesmes, was at pains to declare that the closing night was not just a celebration of the past four days of screenings, discussions, speeches and general conviviality, but also as a salute to sprinter Asafa Powell, who broke the 100 metre world record in Athens 4 days before. A training commitment prevented Powell from accepting the accolade personally.
The 5-day festival began with a pre-launch at the Neville Hall Lecture Theatre at Mona on Tuesday (June 14) with deputy principal Joseph Pereira conveying the University's good wishes as a co-sponsor, along with other persons and organisations, including Kenneth Benjamin and Friends of Cuba.
After several short addresses - including one from the sole director on the island for the event, Rigoberto Lopez Pego, and another from Cuba's ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Gisela Garcia Rivera - the evening ended with the showing of the first film on the festival's programme, Humberto Solas' A Successful Man.
After a cocktail reception, the speakers at the Wednesday gathering were, once again, Her Excellency, Gisela Garcia Rivera, Winston Davis, president of the Jamaica/Cuba Friendship Association, and president of the ICAIC (Instituto Cubano del Arte Industria in Cinematograficos) in Havana, Omar Gonzalez Jimenez The Hon Dr Donald Rhodd, Jamaican State Minister in the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture introduced the batch of speakers with a passionate address about the natural cultural links that should exist between islands in the Caribbean region.
Senora
Garcia is herself in the process of formulating an idea for a project that
will involve the imparting and mutual exchange of film-making and audio-visual
skills amongst the region's practitioners.
At the start of the proceedings, the two island's national anthems were
sung by the 300 or so in attendance. Here, the Cubans set the standard,
as the machine playing the instrumental backing track that was to accompany
the audience broke down, and in characteristically Cuban style, the crowd
improvised with the minimum of fuss and continued singing unaccompanied.
Beginning at the pre-launch, Senora Garcia enthused about this new-found collaboration between her island and Jamaica, and expressed her hope that the festival will increase in size in years to come and that both islands can continue to have mutually beneficial cultural exchanges.
Omar Jimenez spoke briefly about the Cuban film industry and its evolution. It was interesting to hear Marcus Garvey's name mentioned in the same breath as Jose Marti and other Latino national heroes.
Intended as a forum for film makers from both islands, the workshop held at the JAMPRO headquarters on Trafalgar Road last Thursday evening generated positive proposals for future collaboration on film projects.
One such is a mooted film about the Maroons which Jamaica will research and be aesthetically and artistically responsible for, while Cuba, with her strong and long tradition of cinematography will take on the role of providing technical assistance. Garcia spoke enthusiastically about an intended meeting with a Maroon delegation to discuss the project.
All 5 films included in the festival dealt with specifically Cuban socio-political issues, commenting on important aspects of culture e.g. Santeria, and political nuances peculiar to Jamaica's northern neighbour.
(Cuban Embassy Collaboration)
Cuban Physicians to Step up Collaboration in Zimbabwe
Harare, Mar 16 (Prensa Latina) A new group of Cuban physicians that will work in Zimbabwe for a two-year period are stepping up the current collaboration existing in that field with this African country since 1987.
The group of 50 health professionals, including specialists in integral general medicine, radiologists, nephrologists, surgeons and graduates on Pharmacy, are assisting people in several hospitals in Zimbabwe´s farthest zones, where there is a limited lack of medical staff.
This is the fifth Cuban brigade of physicians created as of the Integral Health Program that is responding a request of the Zimbabwean country.
Guyanese President Thanks Cuba´s Medical Aid
Georgetown, Mar 14 (Prensa Latina) Guyana´s President Bharrat Jagdeo –in a farewell ceremony- thanked the work of the Cuban medical brigade who assisted thousands of victims of the flooding that affected the country.
The act held in Georgetown included the participation of 40 medical professionals and members of the Guyanese cabinet.
The
Guyanese president expressed his satisfaction for the work of the Cuban
specialists offering services to 54,000 people damaged by heavy rains that
brought about huge material and human losses at the beginning on 2005 in
Georgetown and Demerara region.
Jagdeo thanked the Cuban government for the fast answer to the international
cooperation call. He said the Cuban revolution has always been generous
with the Guyanese people.
Many Guyanese youth are studying in different Cuban schools as part of a Cuban International educational program.
Guyana´s Health Minister Leslie Ramsammy also praised the work of the Cuban medical brigade in his country.
Cuban Ambassador to Guyana José Manuel Inclán said that the Cuban medical staff was returning to the Island with a great satisfaction for the work done and for the hospitality of the Guyanese people.
Cuba and Ecuador Join to Fight Illiteracy
Havana, Feb 23 (AIN) Cuba and Ecuador agreed to cooperate on the consolidation and expansion of a Cuban literacy method called "Yes I Can" for young people and adults in the South American nation.
The cooperation agreement was signed on Tuesday in Havana by Cuba's Education Minister Luis Ignacio Gomez and his Ecuadorian counterpart, Roberto Passailaigue Baquerizo. The overall effort will promote scientific-academic exchange, the training of teachers and basic education.
The document acknowledges UNICEF's recognition of the Cuban teaching method and the program's positive results in areas of Ecuador such as Cotacachi.
Gomez said that during the 22nd Meeting of Education Ministers of signatory-nations of the Andres Bello Agreement, held recently in Havana, both countries expressed interest in moving forward with educational cooperation.
Today's agreement is a concrete response to the need to eradicate illiteracy and respond to the goals of the UN proposed Education for All initiative, said the Cuban official.
The Cuban "Yes I Can" literacy method offers to educate larges masses of people in a short period of time employing novel teaching methods as well as television and video.
A host of countries - including Haiti, Nigeria, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Honduras and Venezuela - are already using the revolutionary method.
Havana, Feb 15 (AIN) The Sri Lankan government has renewed its gratitude for Cuba's assistance and solidarity in the wake of the disastrous tsunami that slammed the country this past December.
Visiting Sri Lankan Minister Science and Technology Minister, Tissa Vitarana, described the work of the medical team sent by Cuba as excellent and noted that the Cuban specialists are very popular among the affected residents.
The team comprises doctors, nurses, technicians, and an engineer in charge of the electrical generation plant. The minister highlighted the Cubans' contribution in the control through bio-pesticides of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, a spreader of dengue fever.
The team is also helping in the prevention of epidemics that could follow the tsunami; that disaster has resulted in the deaths of 40,000 inhabitants and considerable material damage, according to preliminary estimates.
Vitarana's words reflected those of Prime Minister Manida Rajapakse who, in earlier statements in the capital city of Colombo, had also expressed gratefulness for Cuba's aid, as well as assistance received from other nations and UN institutions.
Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India were the nations most affected by the natural disaster which heaved giant waves from Sumatra to the African continent. Scientific bases located as far away as the Antarctica - more than 8,000 kilometers from the epicenter - were also impacted.
According to statistics, earthquake activity has increased since the 1950´s and 60´s when the nuclear powers held underground or surface tests while developing their nuclear arsenals.
During a meeting with Fernando Gonzalez, Cuba's Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Environment, Minister Tissa Vitarana said he was impressed with the island's scientific and technological development, pointing to Cuba's 220 research centers, 30,000 people dedicated to scientific research and 20,000 science professors.
He noted that there is presently national cooperation between the two nations in the fields of biotechnology and sugar production. Both countries are expected to sign the first inter-ministerial agreement at the end of the Sri Lankan minister's official visit to the island.
Ecuador Interested in Cuban Literacy Programs
Havana, Feb 22 (AIN) Ecuadorian Education Minister, Roberto Passailaigue,
expressed his country's interest in Cuba's experience in the fight against
illiteracy.
Passailaigue, on official visit in Havana, stated that the Cuban-designed literacy program called "Yes, I Can" - put into practice in Ecuador almost 10 months ago- has attracted much attention in his country. He added that the handling of science and technology is one of the most impressive elements of the program.
The Cuban literacy program was first employed in the South American country in Cotacachi, a municipality in the province of Imbabua, located north of Quito. At the end of 2004, the first 1,036 students graduated, kindling interest in other municipalities and provinces in this innovative literacy technique-currently being employed in 18 other countries.
The Ecuadorian Education Minister concludes his visit to Cuba on Tuesday and hopes to reach cooperation agreements as well as exchange experiences and expertise.
Cuba to Set Up Orthopedic Hospital in Yemen
Santiago de Cuba, Feb 9 (AIN) In a demonstration of solidarity, Cuba will
help set up an orthopedic hospital in the capital of Yemen during the ongoing
year.
Dr. Rodrigo Alvarez Cambras, head of the Cuban National Group on Orthopedics, said the hospital will have 300 beds and high-tech equipment that will greatly improve the quality of services.
The Cuban Construction Corporation UNECA will be in charge of the investment process; meanwhile the Yemeni medical staff is undergoing a training process at Havana’s Frank Pais International Scientific Research Center.
At the beginning only Cuban health specialists and technicians will work at the hospital until the Yemeni staff completes the training period and is qualified for the job, informed Cambras.
Cuba has also collaborated in the orthopedics field with countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The prestigious physician said the island is considered a reference point for Latin America given its achievements in health assistance, teaching and the production of medical equipment.
Cuba has obtained recognition for its production of surgical materials, accessories and technical innovations, which include the manufacturing of mini-fixators and RALCA external fixators, currently used in more than 20 countries.
“A day for Cuba”
Dear friends of Cuba:
Cuba is much more than music, dance and beaches. It is an alternative model for society to other countries and a symbol of hope for many poor countries and also for us, who are determined to seek a world of peace and social justice.
Cuba’s example disturbs the empire’s “right to free exploitation”. For that reason, the powerful individuals in the United States take indescribable steps to humiliate, intimidate and threaten Cuba. Through propagandistic media, they show Cuba as the enemy to the eyes of the world and to ours. Every year during the Conference on Human Rights, Geneva, head office of the United Nations, performs a hypocritical comedy in which the victim, Cuba, appears as guilty, accused at all times by a “straw man” made and bought by the United States, riding roughshod over all international rights according to their convenience.
In Switzerland, we have the opportunity and the duty to protest against injustice. For that reason, we ask you to dedicate a day to Cuba and to join us in the “Día de Solidaridad con Cuba” (Solidarity Day with Cuba), to be held on March 18, 2005. We would appreciate it if you state the way in which you could participate by filling out the following form.
Día de Solidaridad con Cuba (Solidarity Day with Cuba), Friday, March 18, 2005, in Geneva
1.
with a demonstration at the Place des Nations (from 13:00 hours)
2. with an Open Forum on “Human Rights in Latin America” (19:30
hours)
3. with a Fiesta and Música cubana (Party and Cuban Music) (from
21:00 hours)
My commitment:
•
To participate in the demonstration
• To participate in all the activities
• To collaborate on…………..
• To help mobilizing other people
We would appreciate it if you could send us the form in the attached envelope
Cuban
Medical Team Treats 200 Guyanese Daily
Georgetown, Feb 7 (Prensa Latina) A Cuban medical team is currently treating
200 Guyanese per day as recovery work goes on following the most severe
flood in 100 years, a local news agency reported.
The team comprised of 40 doctors and technicians arrived in this South American-Caribbean country last week in order to collaborate in cleaning up affected areas and treating flood victims.
More than 80,000 houses were partially or totally damaged by flooding in January after which 4,000 people have remained in shelters, Guyana"s National Information Agency recalled.
At least 19 people have been reported dead in heavy rain and landslides, 11 of them allegedly affected by leptospirosis.
Guatemala
Highlights Cuban Training of Physicians
Guatemala, Jan 11 (Prensa Latina) The Guatemala daily "Siglo Veintiuno"
praised on Tuesday cooperation from the Cuban government to several nations
training physicians at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM).
According to an editorial, the first group of 190 Guatemalan graduates will return home in August, to care for people there for at least six years.
Guatemala re-established diplomatic relations with the island in 1998, and since then both nations have maintained links in educational, cultural, trade, scientific and sports matter.
The daily also states the government aims to extend these benefits to other areas of knowledge and explore cooperation mechanisms from other parts of the world.
Belizean
Prime Minister Thanks Cuban Medical Aid
Havana, Jan 3 (Prensa Latina) Belizean Prime Minister Said Musa thanked
the medical aid Cuba has been rendering to his country since 1999, as part
of the PIS (Health Integral Program) Granma daily reported Monday.
In a rally to commemorate the 46 anniversary of the tryumph of the Cuban Revolution January 1, 1959, Musa highlighted Havana`s support for development of the health system of the Caribbean country, which has a population of little over 260,000 inhabitants.
Cuban Ambassador to Belize Eugenio Martinez said the PIS is the most pure and beautiful internationalist gesture by the Island towards many countries in the world.
Cuban medical brigade head Kenia Monjes explained that they have saved over 65,000 lives in five years, after seeing a million patients.
Cuba Promotes Educational Collaboration
with Mali
29/08/5
Cuba celebrates in style 27/07/05
Cuban Film Festival honours Asafa Powell 26/06/05
Cuban Physicians to Step up Collaboration in Zimbabwe 16/03/05
Guyanese President Thanks Cuba´s Medical Aid 14/03/05
Cuba
and Ecuador Join to Fight Illiteracy 23/02/05
Sri Lanka Thanks Cuba for Post-Tsunami Medical Assistance 15/02/05
Ecuador Interested in Cuban Literacy Program 22/02/05