Cuba

• SUSTAINABLE PATHS TO A JUST ECONOMY: COOPERATIVES IN THE LAND OF MARTÍ Wendy HOLM.  2014 International Summit of Cooperatives

• Co-operatives in a socialist economy: Cuba’s decentralization of decision-making Sonja Novkovic, SMU

In 19 years, 863 farmers, students, chefs, professionals and academica have travelled to Cuba with this project in 49 delegations:  624 Canadian farmers in 32 delegations, 137 students in 10 classes, 1 group of 14 scientists and 87 chefs and student chefs in 6 delegations.  In 1999, a delegation of 27 Cubans (farmers,agronomists) visited British Columbia.  These Delegations - the relationship-building component of the work - continue. 

#10 YOU CAN WRITE IT OFF AS A BUSINESS EXPENSE.

If you make your living from farming, you'll have little difficulty justifying this as a business expense!  The goal of the Project is to facilitate cooperation between farm communities. Canada has expertise in processing, packaging, labeling, marketing and sales. Cuba's farmers are world leaders in commercial organic cropping systems, have highly organized cooperatives, good farm extension, unparalleled soil and water resources and a tropical climate. We have a lot to learn from them. They have a lot to learn from us. Together, we're more competitive. Farmer's who travel to Cuba as part of this project are exposed to this potential "from the ground up".

• Fourteen nights accommodation, eight of which are in 5 star hotels (three nights at all-inclusive Melia Varadero, two nights at Melia Santiago, three nights at Havana's Hotel Nacional).  Country Hotels are Hotel Jajua (Cienfuegos), Hotel Ciego de Avila and Gran Hotel (Camaguey).

• All meals (full breakfasts, lunches and dinners) with the exception of 2 lunches/2 dinners in Havana; our three days at the Melia Varadero are all-inclusive!