The Five - Uniting intelligence for the good of humanity

8TH UNIVERSITY CONGRESS 2012

Olga Díaz Ruiz

GREETINGS from the Cuban Five, serving unjust prison terms in the United States, were communicated during the closing session of University 2012 in Havana’s International Convention Center. The Five called attention to the importance of this event "in uniting intelligence for the good of humanity and the very survival of the human race."

In their message to the 3,000-plus Congress delegates, they emphasized the great importance of implementing all scientific results of impact and benefit to society generated in universities.

During the closing event, attended by José Ramón Fernández, Vice President of the Council of Ministers; Ena Elsa Velásquez, Minister of Education; and Qian Tang, UNESCO Assistant Director-General, delegates unanimously condemned neoliberal policies and convened the 2014 University Congress, which will focus on the social responsibility of universities.

Rodolfo Alarcón, Deputy Education Minister, stated that the event provided new opportunities for interchange and warned of the urgent need to move toward a change in the social model, in order to bequeath a better world to future generations.

Higher Education Minister Miguel Díaz-Canel, member of the Political Bureau, affirmed that the 8th Congress was a really successful event, one transformed into a stage from which to condemn the economic blockade and the hegemonic role of the U.S. government, as well as a platform in support for the work of the Revolution and the return to Cuba of the five heroes.

Havana City Historian Eusebio Leal commented that universities constitute a privileged space for attaining wisdom and recalled that historically, Cuban youth have actively participated in the challenge of building the nation.

GRANMA