[van-announce] Cuba Events for Peace and Anti-Globalization Activists

[marcelh at portal.ca]

(Apologies in advance for duplication. Please distribute widely.)

To Anti-Corporate Globalization Activists, Peace and Social Justice Advocates:

RE: Three Key Events Taking Place in Cuba in November 2002 and January 2003

Dear Friends Who Believe a Better World is Possible,

I want to alert you to several internationally significant events 
taking place in Cuba this fall and winter.

In November Cuba will host the SECOND HEMISPHERIC MEETING OF STRUGGLE 
AGAINST THE FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas) from the 20th to 
the 23rd. Hundreds if not thousands of activists and alternative 
thinkers from Latin and North America will attend the meeting. The 
aim of the gathering is to develop hemispheric strategies to defeat 
the FTAA, but not to preclude alternate agendas for hemispheric 
social and economic collaboration amongst the people. Thirteen Cuban 
organizations of women, youth, academics, labour and farmers extend a 
warm invitation to North Americans to attend.

Also in November, another major international gathering will be held 
in Havana from the 26th to the 28th. Sponsored by the Cuban Movement 
for Peace and Sovereignty of the People (MOVPAZ), the WORLD PEACE 
CONFERENCE comes at a time of increased military aggression by the 
U.S. and its allies. The purpose of this conference is to provide an 
occasion for peace advocates of all communities and denominations to 
plan a global movement to prevent more wars. MOVPAZ is a member of 
the World Peace Council and the U.N. Human Rights Commission. It has 
worked since 1948 to prevent hostile military "solutions" to economic 
and social differences. This conference will be attended by prominent 
peace advocates and is structured to include voices from all levels 
of the struggle for peace in our time.

Then, in late January 2003, Havana is the site for the INTERNATIONAL 
CONFERENCE FOR WORLD EQUILIBRIUM. This idea intensive conference will 
include preeminent thinkers and activists from all points of the 
globe. The Conference is co-sponsored by UNESCO, the Organization of 
Ibero-American States, and numerous other international bodies and 
organizations, universities and institutions. It aims to bring 
together intellectuals from the most diverse trends of thought, 
disciplines, institutions and countries, along with students and all 
those interested in the life and work of José Martí, all joined in 
the common concern about the challenges humanity faces today. The 
conference welcomes contributions and participation from persons 
seeking economic, social, environmental and cultural balance and 
equality through progressive social change.

Please see our website for detailed descriptions and agendas for 
these events at http://www.canadacuba.ca

WE CAN HELP YOU GET TO CUBA AND ATTEND THESE MEETINGS
Cuba Education Tours is a nonprofit organization working exclusively 
to promote understanding and friendship between the people of North 
America and Cuba. In conjunction with the Cuban Movement for Peace 
and Sovereignty of the People (MOVPAZ), we organize tours and 
meetings in Cuba for the benefit of the island's people.

It is our objective to help as many people get to Cuba to participate 
in these confabs as possible. We believe that Cuba is a catalyst for 
human progress and peace. As such, we work on a voluntary basis to 
ensure you'll get there at the lowest price. And, in order to raise 
awareness of Cuba's domestic and international achievements, we offer 
Education Tours to introduce and acquaint Canadian and U.S. residents 
with the island and its people. More information is available at 
http://www.canadacuba.ca

Yours in friendship and solidarity,

Leonardo Hechavarría, Cuban Organizer
Marcel Hatch, Canadian Organizer

Email <info at canadacuba.ca>