Institute for Gender and Development Studies

  Banner image: IGDS regional graduate students and staff with Trinidadian Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Dr. Lancelot Cowie in Havana, Cuba on the IGDS Graduate Studies Cuba Study Tour, June 2018. 

          Solidarity, peace and friendship was the theme for our day. As we walked to the University of Havana for our third day of the Cuban experience, we casually moved from one topic to the next, bonding as a cohort, as individuals, strengthening our connections with each other, cultivating our growing friendships. We were greeted by Ambassador Jose Piedra Rencurell, a diplomat and former Ambassador to Jamaica, who started us with the quote “Motherland is Humanity” by Jose Marti, a Cuban martyr. This powerful quote fuels the philosophy of the Cuban foreign relations and ideology of cooperation. As they have built and continue to strengthen foreign relations, they embrace the basic principles of internationalization, the will to develop states and the defense of independence and sovereignty. As he historicized the Cuban and Anglophone Caribbean relations, he noted the significance of December 8, 1972, which marked the official establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the region - particularly Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. He expressed the sentiments of the Cuban people, acknowledging their gratitude for the relationships and support. He shared that while Cuba may not have fiscal resources for investment and trade, they are able to support their diplomatic relations through sharing Human Resources through their scholarship and health professionals program.

          We transitioned into a lively session with a group of undergrad Economic students, who shared their experiences of university life, youth solidarity and engagement in the political processes to see the changes they want to see in Cuba. They brought colour and vibes to the day, especially when we did a cross culture dance exchange of dance with Gina and Marcus giving them a taste of soca and wining , while they did several routines and livened us up with some conga and rhumba!

          Lunch took us to a local, neighborhood restaurant, frequented by students and neighborhood workers. A tiny space with a high turn over. You had to eat and leave. No lingering. You had to make space for the folks waiting in line for a spot. The food was amazing and was just the right touch of home. As we wandered down to the craft market, local clothing, admiring the bags and t-shirts emblazoned with images of Che, the Cuban flag and the classic rides, we were reminded of the pride of the Cuban people, and their friendly spirits.

          We spent the afternoon at the Cuban Institute of Friendship of the Peoples (ICAP), where we were impressed to hear of Cuba in the Caribbean region, women in the revolution, and the work of the institute in promoting peace. Surrounded by members of NGOs and descendants of Anglophone Caribbean migrants, as we took the opportunity to chat with the Trinidadian Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Dr. Lancelot Cowie, we were happy and excited. As we reflect on today, we recognize the value of building relationships, strengthening diplomatic ties, cultivating friendships, promoting peace and solidarity.

– Giselle Butcher and Renuka Naina Anandjit, MSc Cohort, Cuba Study Tour Blog