Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

via Vancouver & District Labour Council

A Chance to Go to School in Cuba

Wouldn’t it be great to have a place to meet other activists, learn something useful and have some fun in the sun at the same time?

Well how about getting together in Havana, Cuba in May, 2008 for a week of global solidarity courses and a program of events designed especially for activists.

That is the idea behind a Global Solidarity School. Its being organized in Cuba by a group of Canadian labour activists and educators. The school will run from May 4 to May 10 and offer five week-long courses designed to interest activists and their spouses.

Course offerings include: Latin American Struggles, Building International Solidarity In Your Community, Cuban History and Culture as well as conversational Spanish for activists and a special course on Cuban dance and music.

All courses run Monday to Friday in the mornings leaving afternoons and evenings free for social and cultural activities organized especially for the school by our Cuban hosts.

There is also a special add-on option to arrive early, travel a bit around Cuba and be part of the enormous May Day celebrations in Havana which attract more than a million people to the streets of Havana every year.

“If you come to this school, you will enjoy opportunities that most visitors to Cuba never get to experience”, said Bill Saunders, President of the Vancouver District Labour Council and one of the school’s organizers. “Our courses are being taught by both Canadian and Cuban instructors and our activities include such events as a Cuban block party, a jazz club night and a chance to attend the annual May Day demonstration in Havana as guests of the Cuban Trade Union Federation”.

The school is being held in the Havana Libre Hotel, one of the loveliest hotels in Havana, located two blocks from the Malecon ocean walkway in the middle of the Cuban nightlife district and central to all areas of the city. It also has a very attractive swimming pool.

Registration is $1,599.00 (CDN) per student based on double occupancy for the weeklong school. It covers course fees, accommodation, breakfast and dinner, guides and translators, ground transportation and activities (other than optional ones).

For more information and detail on courses and activities or to register visit the Global Solidarity School website at www.solidarityschool.ca.