The event took place September 10 at the Hotel Nacional, with the goal of continuing to develop projects of mutual interest and address present and future challenges in the sector.

The inauguration was attended by Rubén Ramos Arrieta, vice president of Cuba’s Chamber of Commerce; Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, deputy minister of Communications; Mayra Arevich Marín, executive president of the Cuban telecommunications state enterprise, Etecsa; and representatives from U.S. companies such as S3, C&W Networks, Liberty Latin America, Akerman, and Transfer To.

“We discussed how the process of computerization of Cuban society is advancing,” Arevich reported, “In addition, we reaffirmed the negative impact in this arena caused by the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade of Cuba, reinforced with the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, and also by the Cuba Internet Task Force, which seeks to obstruct efforts by Etecsa for a more computerized Cuba.

“Despite these obstacles, we continue working on the development of infrastructure to guarantee that all national entities can implement the provision of services and platforms to improve the populations’ wellbeing and economic progress,” emphasized Arevich.

For his part, Eduardo Gandarilla, vice president of sales and marketing for C&W Networks, stated that his company’s principal goal was to “continue existing collaboration between the company and Etecsa. The challenge we face is to use ICT for development. This is what Etecsa is doing with the development of telecommunications infrastructure in the country.”

IN FIGURES

- 10 agreements between Etecsa and U.S. companies implemented

- More than 60,143,000 dollars in damages to Etecsa caused by the U.S. blockade of Cuba

- 6 million Cubans have access to the internet

- 5 million cell phone lines exist in the country, including more than two million with Internet access

SOURCES: Cuban ministries of Foreign Affairs and Communications.

The Consensus aims to facilitate, from a conceptual and practical point of view, efforts to consolidate a political agenda benefitting the masses.

The document features the principles and objectives of progressive forces, as well as an analysis of the reality which such movements are attempting to transform, those involved, and the initiatives for which they are struggling.

The text is also a response to the neoliberal manifesto known as the Washington Consensus.

Despite the fact that this program dates back to the 1990s, we are witnessing increasingly stronger attempts to re-apply its dictates in Our America.

Speaking during the 23rd Sao Paulo Forum in Managua, the organization’s Executive Secretary, Mónica Valente, stated that it is now up to member parties to disseminate the regional Consensus, and implement it in accordance with each country’s specific conditions.

On July 17, the Final Declaration of the Forum was also approved, as well as various resolutions supporting progressive governments in the region and against maneuvers by the right-wing, especially in Venezuela and Brazil.
Delegates to the Forum expressed support for improving relations between Cuba and the United States. They cited the recent announcement made by President Donald Trump which represents a step back in bilateral relations and demanded the complete elimination of the economic, financial and commercial blockade of Cuba, as well as the return of the territory illegally occupied in Guantánamo.

The Final Declaration also included participants’ unanimous rejection of right wing coup violence in Venezuela, and support for a National Constituent Assembly to restore peace in the Bolivarian nation.

The over 300 delegates attending the Forum thanked the host country, and the Sandinista National Liberation Front – above all comrades Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo – for their hospitality.

During the event, which ended July 17, the results of the political mission tasked with monitoring the Colombia peace process were presented. Rodrigo Granda, International secretary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), praised the work of the Forum, noting that participants now have a better understanding of the situation in the South American nation.

“We have arrived at a point in the process which is irreversible,” stated Granda, who highlighted that the most difficult stage will be implementing that which was agreed upon in Havana.

Meanwhile, on July 18, delegates to the event also participated in celebrations marking the 38th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, alongside side the Nicaraguan people, the country’s authorities, and international guests.

CUBA CONTINUES TO BE AN EXAMPLE

Speaking to Granma, Cuban Ambassador to Nicaragua, Juan Carlos Hernández noted that the island continues to be a reference and example of resistance for progressive and leftist movements in the region, as was recently seen in Managua.

“We witnessed a touching tribute to Fidel and Che, moments which set the tone for this session of the Forum,” added Hernández

The Cuban Ambassador stated that the presence of a broad delegation from the island, led by Comandante José Ramón Balaguer, a member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, also served to strengthen Cuba’s historic ties with the government and people of Nicaragua.

He went on to note that economic and social progress being made by the Sandinista government was also evident during the event.

Hernández emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean are at a crucial moment in their history. “Unity is the only way to overcome the right wing onslaught,” he stated.

While President Trump builds walls, here in Managua bridges of fraternity and struggle have been built, noted the Cuban ambassador.

Over 300 delegates from 33 countries watched a video featuring fragments of Fidel’s most famous speeches and images of his meeting with other regional leaders such as Chávez, Daniel Ortega, Evo Morales and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Che’s daughter, Aleida Guevara, recalled how at six years of age she was taken out of class to receive the news that her father had been killed. She also noted how Fidel tried to help her and her siblings deal with the news, making them promise not to cry.

“When a man dies on his own terms we should not cry for him,” stated the Heroic Guerilla’s daughter.

Finally, tribute was paid to Bolivarian comrade Hugo Chávez. Participants watched a short documentary charting the evolution of the Bolivarian Revolution led by Chávez, from the announcement of the temporary failure of the civil-military uprising, through his death in 2013.

“Chávez lives, the struggle continues” chanted the auditorium in rejection of right-wing aggression being waged in Venezuela, where elections to select a Constituent Assembly will be held, July 30.

(Granma)

The event, dedicated to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, will be held at the WSF’s headquarters at the University of Quebec, in Montreal.
The WSF is the largest gathering of civil society to find solutions to the problems of our time. Launched in Brazil in 2001, every year the Forum brings together thousands of individuals from around the world, who participate in numerous activities.

With the support of over 200 civil society organizations across Canada and the world, the proposal to hold the 2016 edition of the Forum in Montreal was formally accepted by the International WSF Council during the previous edition of the event, held in Tunisia, March 2015.
This year the forum is taking place for the first time in the northern hemisphere. To date, 12,506 individuals from 20 countries have registered to participate in the event, under the maxim “Another world is needed. Together it is possible.”

The first of the two panel sessions in honor of Fidel will be led by Dr. Claude Morin, retired History professor at the University of Montreal, where he worked in 1973 and 2006. His main research areas were Mexico during the colonial period and 20th century Cuba and Central America. He has written seven books and 30 articles and book chapters. In 2006 Morin participated in the Memory and Future International Colloquium: Cuba and Fidel, held in Havana, in honor of the leader of the Cuban Revolution’s 80th birthday. Morin will present the topic “Fidel, the leader and his people.”

Meanwhile Arnold August, Canadian journalist and author of Democracy in Cuba and the 1997–98 Elections and more recently Cuba and its neighbors: Democracy in Motion, who also participated in the 2006 Memory and Future International Colloquium, will head the second discussion, “Fidel, the anti-imperialist combatant.“

According to WSF Montreal 2016, this August 13 “Fidel celebrates 90 years of a life he has assumed as few men on this planet. His stature as champion of human development and international solidarity has made Cuba a significant player on the world stage.

”His longevity has made him the most experienced leader in the world, a tireless fighter for all the causes that have universal value (education, health, peace, solidarity, justice, environment protection, against hegemony, plunder, and neo-liberalism). Fidel certainly stands among men of exception. This anniversary calls upon us to explore certain aspects of his work and personality.”

(Granma)