Sonoma State University students and local community members have the unique opportunity to visit Cuba or Brazil as part of a Summer 2003 tour program sponsored by the university and Global Exchange. An informational meeting and panel presentation about the two trips is scheduled from 5:15 to 7 p.m., on Dec. 6 in the Cooperage on the Rohnert Park campus. Applications for Cuba at a Crossroad and Brazil — World Social Forum will be made available at these events and in the InterCultural Center office in the Student Union thereafter.
Because the program varies according to the focus of each trip and the special interests of each participant, itineraries become available closer to actual date of departure.
Cuba at a Crossroad
As the only socialist country in the Western Hemisphere, Cuba faces a host of challenges at the beginning of the new millennium. With the foreseeable ending of the embargo approaching, this delegation will help participants gain a true understanding of the problems and different aspects Cuba is facing in this transition.
This program seeks to gain an overview of the current situation in Cuba through various aspects of the society: the economy, government, health care system, education systems and the religious as well as culture and religion. The delegation will meet with educators, health care workers, government representatives, students, artists and intellectuals.
This tour will include a trip to one of the following provinces: Santiago, Santa Clara, Pinar del Rio, Trinidad and Cienfuegos. Program highlights include travel and stay in the city of Havana that will consist of a bicycle tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) Revolution Square, a farmer's market and the Havana cemetery.
The cost of the tour is $1,600 for SSU students and $1,800 non-SSU students. A limited number of subsidized financial aid slots are available at rate of $800. Additional aid and scholarships are available by applying directly to Global Exchange. The tour fee includes roundtrip Airfare from Cancun to Havana, double room accommodations in a three star hotel, transportation within Cuba, breakfast and dinner, translation of all programs, a qualified trip leader guide and translator and a current events reader.
Brazil - World Social Forum
Brazil, like the rest of Latin America, has followed the "neo-liberal" economic model of development that involves privatizing state-owned factories, cutting social services, and opening the economy to foreign investment. The tour will explore the impacts of these economic policies before going to Porto Alegre for the World Social Forum.
The delegation will begin in Rio de Janeiro where participants will meet with representatives from diverse organizations. Participants will also meet with religious and community leaders, non-governmental civic organizations working within the favelas and women's organizations, struggling for economic justice, racial acceptance and social equity.
The cost of the tour is $1,600 for students and $1,800 for non-students. The tour fee includes, double room accommodations, transportation to and from all programmed activities, two meals per day, guides and translators, a qualified trip leader, donations and a reading materials.
How to Register
Application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 must be received two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome. These trips will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences.
For further information, contact Darius Spearman, InterCultural Center, Sonoma State University, (707) 664-2710.
