From: International Institute for the Study of Cuba

		Cuba Report	Issue 15	November 2008

		Forthcoming Public Seminars
		The Bolivarian alternative for the Americas and the Caribbean: The institution and process of 'ALBA' Tuesday 2 December 2008 6.30pm Dr Ken Cole Honorary Research Fellow, International Institute for the Study of Cuba This paper argues that as the embodiment of the (19th century) revolutionary ideals of Simón Bolívar and Jose Martí, ALBA is an epoch defining initiative whose time has come in the post-1970s globalized world. Independently, nation states are powerless to resist the exigencies of international finance and competitive exchange, and in this regard The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas and the Caribbean can be seen as the most important political initiative in Latin America since the Cuban revolution of January 1st 1959. Venue: Henry Thomas Room London Metropolitan University 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB Entrance to this seminar is free but please register your intention to attend by email Picture: Billboard outside Havana airport 2006. ‘I am the son of America and I owe myself to her’ Baseball, Sugar and Slavery - Spring seminar series The Spring 2009 season of public seminars at the IISC start with three topics that have not been touched on before in our series: Baseball, the sugar economy and the history of slavery. Click on the titles to access further information: 05 Feb. 2009: Cuban Baseball and national identity: A nation of peloteros 19 Feb. 2009: The rise and fall of Cuba's sugar economy 19 Mar. 2009: Slave Resistance on Cuban Plantations, 1790-1850 All the events will take place at 6.30pm in the Henry Thomas Room, North Campus. To register email: admin@cubastudies.org Picture: Cover of Tom Carter’s new book on Cuban baseball. Event on 5 Feb 09 DVDs of seminars now available Since its inception in 2007 the IISC has held more than 12 public seminars. Each on has been recorded and now DVDs are available to the public to buy. Please see the Past events home page for details on how to obtain them

		Peer reviewers required
		Any suitably qualified academic readers interested in acting as peer reviewer for the International Journal of Cuban Studies, are requested to send their cv and declaration of interest to the Assistant Editor on patricia.daniel@cubastudies.org

		Readers' blog launched
		The Readers' Blog on the Journal site has been launched and is located at here Readers may also send comments to the Assistant Editor Patrcia Daniel

		Hard copies of journal now available
		2 printed versions of the journal are now available to be purchased online: Coloured version Black and White version

		Discover Cuba: Departs December 6
		There are just four places remaining to be filled on the Discover Cuba tour that departs on December 6th. This tour has been organised in conjunction with the tour company Old Havana Ltd and full details are posted on our site here. Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Assistant Director of the IISC, will be leading it. To read what last year's group thought of the experience, click here Picture: All smiles: Last year’s group having a lovely time!

		4th International Workshop on Child Health
		Camaguey, Cuba 1-9 March 2009 Travel to the historic city of Camaguey in central Cuba for a three day conference in the company of Professor Imti Choonara, a Child health specialist from Nottingham University, enjoy free time to visit Havana and options to extend your stay are possible. Organised by Camaguey Children’s Hospital; Department of Provincial Health, Camaguey; International Institute for the Study of Cuba and University of Nottingham. Full details are on our website .

		Pedagogia 2009, Education conference, Havana 26-30 January 2009
		The IISC and Old Havana ltd are putting together a package for teachers and educators to attend the biannual conference Pedagogia 2009 to be held in Havana next January 26-30. Thousands of teachers from all over the world will be gathering to discuss schooling at all ages. Full details and costs are yet to be evaluated but if you are interested in joining this tour please contact Stephen Wilkinson immediately.

		NEW TOUR: African Cultures, Religions, and Ethnicities in Cuba
		7 days: Proposed date of travel Sunday 21 June, 2009 with Virgin Atlantic A unique opportunity to visit Cuba and explore its rich African cultural heritage in the company of a Cuban expert on the history of slavery This tour has been designed and will be led by Dr Manuel Barcia who is a Lecturer in Latin American Studies in Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies University of Leeds. The arrangements for travel will be made by Old Havana Ltd. Optional extensions will be available for those who wish to stay on. The tour will go ahead if sufficient interest in shown in taking part. If you are interested in participating in this tour please contact Stephen Wilkinson immediately. Picture: Lagrimas negras by Cuban Artist Ibrahim Miranda

		Discounts on Travel to Cuba for IISC referrals
		The Cuba specialist travel firm Old Havana Ltd. which trades as San Cristobal UK has signed an agreement with the IISC to supply discounted travel services to Cuba for the IISC and its clients and associates. Staff at LondonMet and others referred to Old Havana Ltd. by the IISC can obtain 5 per cent discounts on prices of flights and hotel bookings in Cuba. If you wish to take advantage of the service please contact Stephen Wilkinson at the IISC in the first instance.

		IISC office has moved
		The IISC has now moved to its new site in the City of London. The new address and telephone number is below. Calls to the old number will be forwarded automatically. International Institute for the Study of Cuba, London Metropolitan University, 31 Jewry St., London EC3N 2EY Tel. +44 (0)20 7320 3060

		Consultancy service
		The IISC can provide bespoke information and reports on all aspects of Cuba and can advise on film or business projects in the island. Contact Stephen Wilkinson or Emily Morris for further information.

		Medical Electives programme
		The IISC medical electives programme is now established. If you are a medical student and would like to complete your elective in Cuba please look at the new Medical electives section on the website.

		Hurricane Relief
		In October, Hurricane Paloma hit Cuba. This was the third hurricane to hit the island in a year. The IISC suggests that those who wish to make a donation to alleviate some of the problems should do so through the organization MEDICC.

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