cont'd from p.40

Centro de Estudios Sobre Asia y Oceania

The Center of Asian and Oceanic Studies (CEAO) is an academic institution promoting the study of Asia and Oceania, as well as exploring the interconnections between Cuba and this region. CEAO also has consult status in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The investigations undertaken by CEAO focus on four areas: globalization and integration; governance; military and economic security; and sustainable development. CEAO does academic research along with facilitating the flow of information between Cuba and the Asia-Pacific, in order to educate both the Cuban public about Asia and Oceania and increase knowledge of Cuba in the Asia-Pacific region. The Center pays particular attention to exploring the effects of capitalism, socialism, and globalization on this third world region, to discover what lessons can be learned for the Cuban situation. CEAO has relations with non-governmental and governmental organizations in Asia, as well as with research institutions worldwide.

Contact Information: Freya Matos Martínez, Director of International Relations, Centro de Estudios Sobre Asia y Oceania, Calle 20 #512, e/ 5 y 7, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de Havana, Código Postal 10300; telephone: 53.7.22.6038, 22.8392, 22.8393; fax: 53.7.24.0591; asia@infomed.sld.cu.

Grupo para el Desarrollo Integral de la Capital

Founded in 1988, the Group for the Integral Development of the Capital (GDIC) addresses foremost issues of urbanity, working to preserve the historic patrimony of the city, address urban problems and promote responsible community and urban development. Their work centers on the economic, cultural, and social development of the Cuban capital, Havana. La Maqueta de la Habana, created and maintained by GDIC, is a city model with a surface area of 144 m2 representing 144 k m2 and took 12 years to produce. The model includes every building in Havana and serves as a reference tool, available to tours of students and senior citizens as well as to commercial and state urban developers. GDIC also conducts investigations on housing and urban development and plays an integral part in advising on new construction and urban projects within the city. Their upcoming International Seminar Toward A Sustainable Habitat: Challenges for the New Millennium, held in May, will address experiences in sustainable habitat around the world, their successes and failures as well as ways to facilitate implementation and possible alternatives for the future, focusing on built environment & social housing, community development, and local development.

Contact Information: Migul Coyula, Grupo para el Desarrollo Integral de la Capital, Calle 28 #113 entre 1 y 3, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de la Habana; telephone: 53.7.22.7303, 22.2621; fax: 53.7.24.2661; gdic@ceniai.inf.cu.

Centro de Estudios Europeos

The Center for European Studies (CEE) was founded in 1974 as an academic institution designed to strength relations between Cuba and Europe in both academic and political arenas. In 1996, they received consultative status in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. CEE’s studies are focused in five program areas: European integration and European-Latin American relations; Eastern Europe; post-soviet studies; political forces and alternatives; and relations with European NGOs. CEE works with over 200 institutions worldwide, while maintaining a library of 14,500 books and 400 publications. While CEE began as an academic center, it has grown to play an important role in facilitating relations between European and Cuban NGOs. Their bilingual monthly journal, Mensaje de Cuba, or Message from Cuba, documents programs of European NGOs and their work in Cuba. The 2nd International Meeting on Cooperation with Cuba, facilitated by CEE in association with other groups, held in December 1999 was attended by 145 organizations. This October, CEE will convoke their 8th International Conference on European Studies on “Europe facing the challenges of the 21st century.”

Contact Information: Marla Muñoz, NGO Program Coordinator, Centro de Estudios Europeos, Ave 3 #1805, e/ 18 y 20, Miramar; telephone: 53.7.22.5793, 22.6767; fax: 53.7.24.1435; cee@ceniai.inf.cu.