Co-ops in Cuba's future - seminar June 18-22, 2012

This is to invite you to participate as a presenter or commentator in
the “Seminar on Socialist Renewal & the Capitalist Crisis: A
Cuban-North American Exchange.” It will be held at the University of
Havana, June 18-22, 2012. I attach the Call to what promises to be an
historic gathering.

A fascinating part of Cuba’s year-old “renovation” of socialism is the
ongoing national debate over the role of cooperatives in this process.
As an activist in the Canadian co-op movement, you are invited to
join in the dialog and meet in person your counterparts in Cuba's
cooperative movement.  I attach FYI a solid introduction to this new
debate in Cuba by Camila Piñeiro Harnecker.

Sponsors are the Center for Global Justice in San Miguel de Allende,
Mexico (a project of the Radical Philosophy Association) and the
University of Havana Faculty of Philosophy and History. Center
Research Associate and co-founder Cliff DuRand – who has coordinated
such visits to Cuba since 1982 – is working with University of Havana
faculty members and administrators in consultation with the listed
Seminar endorsers.

For opportunities to contribute please have a look at the Call, also
attached. You might comment on Cuban presentations under “Cuba’s
Economic Reform”; present (or comment) under “Latin America Moves
Left”; and present under “Capitalist Crisis” – especially “Popular
Fight Back” and “Strategic Alternatives.” All proceedings will be in
Spanish and English. While participants are encouraged to send full
remarks well in advance – in both languages if possible –oral
presentations should be 20 minutes, with translation. The Seminar will
provide ample time and opportunity for informal discussion among co-op
practitioners.

There will also be opportunities to learn first-hand of Cuba's
cooperative movement. June 11-17 will be devoted to site visits and
June 18-22 to the Seminar proper. The Seminar is expected to launch
new exchanges between North Americans and Cubans, including co-op
researchers and activists from both capitalist and socialist contexts.

Please let us know if you would like more information. And be sure to
get your proposal in by April 2.  Meanwhile please help spread the
word!  Many thanks.

In cooperation,

Betsy Bowman and Bob Stone
Research Associates and co-founders
Center for Global Justice (www.globaljusticecenter.org)