7th International Che Guevara Conference - Canada

7th International Che Guevara Conference - Canada
“FROM THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION TO THE CUBAN REVOLUTION:
THE QUESTION OF LEADERSHIP & IMPLEMENTING THE SOCIALIST PROJECT & WHERE WE ARE TODAY!”

OCTOBER 27-29, 2017 IN VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA
RUSSIAN HALL - 600 CAMPBELL AVE.
This event will take place on the traditional and unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilwətaɁɬ), the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), and the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh) Coast Salish Nations.

** Register Now – It’s Free! **
http://cheguevaraconference.bpt.me

<<< FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017 >>>
Russian Hall - 600 Campbell Ave.
** Concert & Fundraiser for Reconstruction Efforts in Cuba after the Devastating Hurricane Irma **

Featuring the Legendary Cuban Musician:
GERARDO ALFONSO * Havana, Cuba
Gerardo Alfonso’s music is a beautiful mix, rich in influence from many musical genres from across the Caribbean. Gerardo masterfully weaves these sounds with his urban and popular roots, while never abandoning his trova spirit! For this, Gerardo Alfonso has become one of the most unique singers and songwriters in Cuba and Latin America. Don’t miss a great chance to see this incredible performer! Join us for an amazing evening! The last two times Gerardo Alfonso has been in Vancouver it was standing room only!

Join us for a special evening of song and celebration!

>> The concert will be free, but a suggested donation of $10 is recommended going towards The Canadian Network on Cuba’s Hurricane Relief and Reconstruction Fund after the devastating Hurricane Irma.

To enjoy some of Gerardo Alfonso’s music before the concert:
Gerardo Alfonso - Havana Concert to welcome home Cuban 5 Heroes Rene and Fernando
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24n59iGkqAE
Gerardo Alfonso – Performs in Vancouver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udDu4V1zZaw

<<< SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 & 29, 2017>>
Russian Hall - 600 Campbell Ave.
** Two days of Speakers, Workshops, Film, Art Displays, Discussion & Revolutionary politics! **

>>> Featuring Guest Speakers:
MR. LUIS MORLOTE RIVAS* Havana, Cuba
Vice-President of the Cuban Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC) and a member of the Cuban National Assembly. He was also President of the Hemanos Saiz Association, Cuba’s organization of young artists.

MS. TANIA LÓPEZ LARROQUE * Havana, Cuba
Chief of Mission, Consul General of the Cuban Consulate in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Havana’s School of Foreign Languages and completed her post-graduate studies at the Institute of Foreign Affairs in Havana. She has been working for Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) for 17 years, including posts in Mexico, Argentina, and now Canada.

MR. WILMER OMAR BARRIENTOS FERNÁNDEZ * Caracas, Venezuela
His Honourable Mr. Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernández is the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Canada. He studied at the Military Academy and graduated in 1983. On February 4, 1992, he collaborated with Comandante Hugo Chavez in the first coup attempt in Venezuela. He has served as a general of the National Armed Forces of Venezuela, and has occupied diverse positions of government. He also served as Minister for the Office of the Presidency, and Minister of Industry, under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

MR. WILFREDO J. PEREZ BIANCO * Caracas, Venezuela
Chief of Mission, Consul General of the Venezuelan Consulate in Vancouver. He graduated from the Central University of Venezuela with a degree in journalism in 1992, and received his doctorate in Information Sciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 1998. He has been working for Foreign Affairs for 7 years in the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power, and held various positions in public administration institutions in Venezuela between 1999 and 2017, such as the Venezuelan Foreign Trade Bank, the Superintendence of Tax Administration and Customs, the Superintendence of Banks, as well as other financial institutions. He joined the student struggle from an early age and stands firmly in the defense of the Bolivarian Revolution.

GERARDO ALFONSO * Havana, Cuba
Born in Guanabacoa, Cuba on November 1, 1958, Gerardo was musically inclined from a young age, and by his teenage years he was performing his first compositions. In 1980, he joined the Nueva Trova Cubana Movement, which was made up of young and talented musicians who were especially interested in the development of socially engaged lyrics. He regularly gives talks and workshops on music and its social and political contexts.

HELEN YAFFE * London, England
An Economic History Fellow at the London School of Economics. Helen is author of "Che Guevara: The Economics of Revolution" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009). She has worked on a variety of newspapers and publications and has presented papers at conferences and seminars around the world. Helen will be joining us via videoconference from London.

ARNOLD AUGUST * Montreal, Canada
Author of many articles and books including: "Democracy in Cuba and the 1997–98 Elections" (Editorial José Martí, 1999), "Cuba and Its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion" (Fernwood Publishing/Zed Books, 2013), "Cuba-U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond" (Fernwood, 2017). An accomplished journalist, he contributes articles in English, Spanish and French to news and research sites in the United States, Canada, Cuba, Latin America and Europe. Since 1997, he has spent extended periods in Cuba pursuing his intensive investigations.

ISAAC SANEY * Nova Scotia, Canada
Professor at Dalhousie and Saint Mary's Universities. He holds a PhD in history from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. His dissertation focuses on the intersection of Cuban and southern African history. He is the author of the widely acclaimed book, "Cuba: A Revolution in Motion" (London: Zed Books, 2004). He is also a co-chair of the Canadian Network on Cuba.

HENRY HELLER* Winnipeg, Canada
Professor of History at the University of Manitoba. Marxist Scholar. Author of numerous books, including the Cold War and the New Imperialism (Monthly Review, 2006); The Birth of Capitalism, a 21st Century Perspective (Fernwood, 2011) and The Bourgeois Revolution in France 1789-1815 (Berghan, 2009)

WENDY HOLM * Bowen Island, Canada
Professor of UBC’s International Field Studies in Sustainable Agriculture (Cuba), agrologist, economist, author, award winning journalist, and sustainability expert. Wendy is also the organizer of the Canada-Cuba Farmer to Farmer Project.

ALI YEREVANI * Vancouver, Canada
Political Editor of the Fire This Time Newspaper. Participant in the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

TAMARA HANSEN * Vancouver, Canada
Coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba. Author of "5 Decades of the Cuban Revolution: The Challenges of an Unwavering Leadership" (Battle of Ideas Press, 2010).

*FREE REGISTRATION HERE*
http://cheguevaraconference.bpt.me

*VIEW THE SPECIAL CONFERENCE WEBSITE HERE*
http://www.cheguevaraconference.ca

*Conference Program in English & Spanish*

Follow the conference on Twitter: #CheConf and #VanCuba

>> ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CHE GUEVARA CONFERENCE <<
Since the triumph of Cuba’s 1959 revolution to today, the vision and political ideas that shape the Cuban revolution remain a source of inspiration, discussion and debate around the world. Through the ideas of Fidel, Che, the Cuban socialist project, and the dynamics of the mass revolutionary movement, and especially the concept of Revolutionary Internationalism, Cuba has become a country renowned for its achievements in health, education, culture, science and many other aspects of social and human progress. The Cuban socialist project and the Cuban revolutionary leadership, despite 50 years of an inhuman and criminal blockade by consecutive US administrations, have never wavered to imperialist pressure.

The International Che Guevara Conference is an opportunity to discuss and debate the ideas of the Cuban revolution, its dynamism and how it has impacted Latin America and the world.

The First International Che Conference in 2008 was on the theme “Che Guevara, Thinker and Fighter: Are His Ideas Relevant for the 21st Century?” Every Vancouver international Che Guevara Conference since has discussed and debated a wide variety of topics including: “50 Years of Dynamism of the Cuban Revolution,” “Cuba & Revolutionary Internationalism,” “Cuba Today - The Gains & Challenges,” “Cuba’s Reforms: Capitalism or Socialism,” and “Cuba: a Socialist Project in Progress.” Each conference has featured amazing guest speakers from Cuba, Venezuela, the U.S. and Canada.

In October 2017 the 7th International Che Guevara Conference will take place on two historic anniversaries: 50 years after the assassination of Ernesto Che Guevara and 100 years since the Russian Revolution. The conference will honour these events with the title, “From the Russian Revolution to the Cuban Revolution: the question of leadership, implementing the socialist project & where we are today.” The conference will feature many prominent guests from Cuba, Venezuela, England, the U.S. & Canada.

** View the conference poster:
http://vancubasolidarity.com/posters/17112729-vcsc-7-annual-checonference.pdf

** To join the 2017 Che Guevara Conference on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1839577812925811/

We look forward to having you join us for this special event!
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VANCOUVER COMMUNITIES IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA (VCSC)
(Member of the Canadian Network on Cuba-CNC)
Web: http://www.vancubasolidarity.com
*NEW WEBSITE*: http://www.cheguevaraconference.ca
Email: vancubasolidarity [at] gmail.com
Phone: 778-882-5223
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/vancubasolidarity
Twitter: @VanCuba_VCSC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vancubasolidarity