2007-10-11.
The International Republican Institute, Institute International
Relations and Political Scennce Vilnus University, Eastern Europe
Institute Centre, The Institute of Democratic Politic
Baltic Working Forum on Cuba to be Held in Vilnius, Lithuania October
19, 2007.
The Baltic Working Forum on Cuba will assemble influential policy
makers, academics and nongovernmental representatives for a forum
entitled Imparting Lessons Learned: Linking the Baltic Experience to the
Promotion of Democracy in Cuba.
The forum will include representatives from 10 countries to discuss the
important role that the Baltic countries have in encouraging and
supporting Cuba's eventual transition to democracy. Participants
include former heads of state, leading Baltic members of parliament,
members of the European parliament, foreign ministry officials,
academics and nongovernmental representatives.
The forum, which is open to the media, will be held in Vilnius,
Lithuania on October 19, 2007, in Constitution Hall at the Seimas of the
Republic of Lithuania beginning at 8:30 am (a full agenda is attached).
Media interested in attending the forum are asked to register by
calling or e-mailing Trygve Olson (contact information provided below).
During the one-day forum, results from a recent survey of Cuban public
opinion sponsored by the International Republican Institute will be
released. Forum sessions will focus on the realities of life under
Fidel Castro's regime, how to mobilize support for Cuba among European
partners, the importance of Baltic policy towards Cuba, and a video
teleconference with dissidents from Cuba.
Participants include Jesus Gracia Aldaz, former Spanish Ambassador to
Cuba; Laima Andrikiene, Member of the European Parliament from
Lithuania; Joel Brito, Cuban Activists; Andres Herkel, Member of the
Estonian Parliament; Janos Horvath, Member of the Hungarian Parliament;
Andrius Kubilius, Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament; Mart
Laar, Member of the Estonian Parliament; Vytautas Landsbergis, Member of
the European Parliament from Lithuania; Silver Meikar, Member of the
Estonian Parliament; Rihards Piks, Member of the European Parliament
from Latvia; Manuel Vazquez Portal, Cuban Activists; Osvaldo Alfonso
Valdes, Cuban Activists; Egidijus Vareikis, Member of the Lithuanian
Parliament; and Emanuelis Zingeris, Member of the Lithuanian Parliament.
The Baltic Working Forum on Cuba is hosted by the Eastern European
Studies Center (Lithuania), the Institute for Democratic Politics
(Lithuania), the Institute for International Relations and Political
Science, Vilnius University (Lithuania) and the International Republican
Institute (USA).
To register for the forum or to schedule an interview with one of the
participants, please contact Trygve Olson at 202-257-1191 (prior to
October 15), at +370-687-36886 (after October 15) or at trygve86@yahoo.com.
Contact Trygve Olson
US Phone (202) 257-1191
Lithuania +370-687-36886
Email trygve86@yahoo.com
*******
AGENDA
Baltic Working Forum on Cuba
"Imparting Lessons Learned:
Linking the Baltic experience to the promotion of democracy in Cuba"
Vilnius, Lithuania : October 19, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Constitution Hall
Gedimino ave. 53
8:00 – 8:30 AM Registration and Coffee Reception
8:30 – 9:00 AM Welcome and Introductory Remarks
9:00 – 9:40 AM Working Session 1 : Presentations
The Realities of "Socialismo" and Life under the Castro Regime:
Perspectives on political prisoners, the press, workers' rights, and the
opposition movement.
9:40 – 10:20 AM Working Session 1 : Commentary and Discussion
Floor open to remarks from all participants.
10:20 – 10:40 AM Presentation of Cuba Poll Results
Poll conducted for IRI in Cuba in September 2007
10:40 – 11:00 AM Press Conference
11:00 – 11:40 AM Working Session 2 : Presentations
Mobilizing Support for Cuba among European Partners: Sharing the
experience of governments, parties and non-governmental organizations
invested in Cuban solidarity programs
11:40 – 12:50 AM Working Session 2 : Commentary and Discussion
Floor open to remarks from all participants.
2:00 – 2:50 PM Working Session 3 : Presentations
Evaluating the importance of Baltic Policy on Cuba: Linking the Baltic
experience to the promotion of democracy in Cuba.
2:50 – 3:50 PM Working Session 3 : Commentary and Discussion
Floor open to remarks from all participants.
4:00 – 4:30 PM Video Tele-Conference with Cuban Dissidents (TBC)
Broadcast from the US Interests Section in Havana.
4:30 – 5:20 PM Conclusions and Recommendations
5:20 – 5:30 PM Closing Remarks
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/article.asp?artID=12082
No comments:
Post a Comment