Key Dates, Information, and Itinerary
Emulation Tour to Havana, Cuba, November 9-17
Key Dates
1. The dates of this 8th Emulation Tour to Cuba are November 9 to 17, 2024.
2. If you don’t have a passport you should apply for one now. Your passport must be for 6 months beyond November 17.
3. Airline reservations should be made to arrive on Saturday, Nov. 9 and leave on Sunday, Nov. 17. These dates allow participants to only miss one week of work.
4. These dates were chosen to avoid a conflict with the November election.
5. If you plan to travel before or after those dates, you will need to arrange your own transportation from or to the airport.
6. To reserve your spot please provide a down payment of $500 by September 18 and full payment by October 5. With a maximum of 15 participants, the sooner you pay, the sooner you will reserve your spot on the trip. Payment should be payable to Human Agenda and sent to Human Agenda, 1060 N. 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112.
Key Information
1. This Human Agenda Emulation Tour is co-sponsored by the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives and the trip focuses on lessons learned from worker-owned cooperatives in Cuba and in Latin America.
2. The cost of the trip is $1,375, with a $200 discount for current co-op members. This includes the registration fee for the three-day Second International Symposium on Cooperatives at the University of Havana. The stated purpose of the symposium is to “contribute to the development and the theory of cooperativism and the solidarity economy in Latin America”.
3. Presentations on cooperative development and related themes are welcome by participants in this Emulation Tour. Please let Richard Hobbs know if you are interested in providing a presentation (ponencia).
4. All expenses are included in the above fee except for transportation to and from Cuba and the cost of your visa, which is $100 and payable at the time of your flight. There will be a kiosk at the departure gate for Havana where you need to pay for your visa.
5. Once your application has been accepted and your payment made, you should make flight arrangements to Havana. It is highly recommended that you fly through Miami using American Airlines, which has the most daily flights to Havana.
6. There are 12 visa categories to enter Cuba of which the simplest is “Support for the Cuban People”. Human Agenda will provide more information about how to apply for a visa to Cuba once you are a confirmed participant.
7. Due to the short duration of this trip we will remain in the greater Havana area, visiting several worker-owned cooperatives.
8. November is the beginning of the dry season in Cuba with average temperatures between 24°C-29°C and plenty of sunshine. While small showers are still possible here and there, cities such as Havana experience 10+ hours of sunlight on average and ocean temperatures of around 28°C.
9. Tap water should not be consumed in Cuba.
10. Cuba does not require any proof of covid vaccinations but you may want to make sure your other vaccinations are up to date.
11. Our hotel will have internet access.
12. Typical packing items include:
· Light casual comfortable clothing
· Your valid passport and visa, and a printed version
· Cash in dollars. Small bills are preferable
· A working cell phone with WhatsApp
· Chargers for electronics
· A reusable water bottle
· Your personal medicine and supplements (consider anti-diarrheal medication)
· Toiletries, including soap
· A small umbrella
· A light sweater or jacket (mostly for the airplane!)
· Sunscreen, hat, and long sleeves and long pants
· Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers OK) and flip-flops
· Hand sanitizer and toilet paper (do not throw toilet paper in the toilet)
· Any informational materials you’d like to share about your work
· Any gifts for various hosts (completely optional)
Itinerary**
Saturday Nov. 9: Arrive at airport and hotel; dinner; introductions; review itinerary
Sunday, Nov. 10: Lecture, the History of Cuba; visit to the Fidel Castro Center; visit Fusterlandia
Monday, Nov. 11: Presentation & dialogue: the Economy of Cuba and the Impact of the US Blockade; visit to ceramics and furniture cooperative; visit agricultural cooperative; reflection
Tuesday, Nov. 12: Presentation & dialogue: the Cuban Political System; registration and participation, Second International Symposium on Cooperatives
Wed-Fri, Nov. 13-15: Participation in the Second International Symposium on Cooperatives; dinner at gastronomic cooperatives; reflection; late night cultural event options
Saturday Nov. 16: Visit to Old Havana; lecture on Marti, Che & Fidel; discussion and reflection on achievements and challenges of the Cuban Revolution
Sunday, Nov. 17: Return to the United States
** Subject to change
Contact Information of Richard Hobbs:
richhobbs@msn.com 408 460 2999 (text is best)