Cuba’s UJC Holds International Forum on Peace and Solidarity

By Bronwyn Cragg, YCL-LJC member in Toronto

On November 24-26, the Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas (UJC) of Cuba hosted a virtual international forum, titled Ideas que son Banderas (“Ideas that are Flags”). The forum, held over the course of three days, included participants from all corners of the world, who gathered to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts in peace and solidarity, and the legacy of Fidel. 

The YCL-LJC was honoured to be a speaking delegate during the Americas forum. General Secretary Ivan Byard emphasized Cuba’s work in the international sphere, citing the current battle by Manitoba First Nations to reverse the Federal Government’s veto of a medical cooperation agreement between the Southern Chiefs’ Organization and the Cuban government. This deal would have sent Cuban medical brigades to Indigenous communities, and send Indigenous youth from these communities to the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana. Byard also noted the Canadian Network on Cuba’s recent campaigns, one of which has raised over $50,000 and counting for Cuba’s international medical brigades. He strongly condemned the Canadian government’s actions in the Lima Group and in attempts to disrupt the sovereignty of countries like Bolivia and Venezuela, and highlighted the situation of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the reprehensible non-issuance of visas to Cuban doctors.

Other speakers from the Americas section of the forum included representatives from Haiti, the USA, Brazil, Panama, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Ana Karen Oliviera de Souza, Secretary of the Colectivo Feminista Classista Ana Montenegro (Brazil), emphasized that throughout the Americas, discrimination against LGBT people, Black people, and women is worsening, especially as the pandemic lingers on. A representative from Bolivia’s Movement for Socialism (MAS) celebrated the recent election in Bolivia, but noted that this success was due to the struggle by Indigenous peoples in Bolivia, especially youth and trade union members, to protect their culture and their land and to fight back against the violence and killings unleashed by the previous coup government. Speakers reaffirmed the need to struggle against capitalism and build a better tomorrow for youth in the Americas, and to commit themselves to fighting against the inhumane Blockade and against sanctions on Venezuela and Nicaragua. Speakers reaffirmed Latin America as a zone of peace, and that there is a need to strengthen womens’ unions and organizations like the World Federation of Democratic Youth to struggle against imperialism. All delegates praised Cuba’s recent efforts to strengthen the call for peace and international medical collaboration; in the words of one Puerto Rican delegate: Cuba has demonstrated its principles not by word, but by deed.

Beyond the Americas section of the forum, sections were also devoted to discussing the current situations in Africa and the Middle East, in Asia, and in Europe, and a special forum was held to discuss the topic of peace. Countries represented in these forums included Western Sahara, New Zealand, Nepal, South Africa, Syria, Angola, Greece, Russia, India, Cyprus, and numerous others. Also held during the course of the forum were a movie screening, a forum on the thought and work of Fidel Castro, and an energetic and moving cultural event devoted to Fidel, who passed away 4 years ago that week. This cultural event included an international selection of musical talent with particular emphasis on Cuba’s homegrown music scene, showcasing a vast array of musical styles with tributes to Fidel, to Cuba’s international medical brigades, and to the topic of peace and internationalism.

After three days, the conference ended successfully, delegates having shared their own experiences with youth from other countries, and having learned more about the international struggle for peace, solidarity, and medical collaboration. All delegates affirmed the pressing need to cooperate in the midst of not only ongoing capitalist and imperialist intervention, but the deadly COVID-19 pandemic as well. Though political and social conditions varied in each country represented, it was agreed to continue to exchange ideas and strengthen international youth and women’s organizations in order to establish a better future for youth through unity and the struggle for socialism. Delegates look to Cuba as a shining example of what can be achieved, both domestically and internationally, through this unity in struggle, and agreed to fight for a world without imperialist wars and violence.