’Cuba: New Research Directions’ to foster discussion of U.S.-Cuba relations, Cuban culture and history

Economic reform and current state of U.S.-Cuba relations topics of UC Irvine conference


EVENT:

Scholars from UCI and around the country will gather to discuss U.S.-Cuba relations and Cuba’s economic, political and cultural impact in a series of panel discussions. Topics include Cuba’s economy and healthcare system, sex trade and tourism in Cuba, Afro-Cuban music and the island nation’s ever-changing identity.
DATE: Friday, May 2, 2008
TIME: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 2, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3
LOCATION: UCI Student Center Conference Rooms

BACKGROUND:

The UC-Cuba Initiative was established in 2006 to bring together scholars from University of California campuses to coordinate and develop academic activities and advance the exchange of knowledge between the U.S. and Cuba. When Fidel Castro stepped down in February as the head of the Cuban government after nearly 50 years of uncontested rule, the world looked on with anticipation to watch how the country would move forward. Successor Raul Castro recently lifted the ban on the sale of cell phones and eased restrictions on homeownership, and interest is high in the impact of these policy changes. UCI experts and visiting scholars will be able to provide insight and analysis during this critical time in Cuba’s recent history.