State Bar of Wisconsin

Join a Minnesota Legal Delegation to Cuba, Feb. 21 - 26

State Bar of Wisconsin members are invited to join a delegation from the Minnesota Bar from Feb. 21 - 26. This is the delegation's third trip to Cuba, to meet with lawyers, judges, members of the National Assembly, ambassadors, and observe court appearances. The trip is arranged through the Minnesota Bar Association's Civil Litigation Governing Council.

The delegation leaves from Cancun, Mexico to Cuba.  The price of single occupancy is $2,500 and includes airfare from Cancun to Cuba, meals, transportation in Cuba, meetings, and hotel. The group stays at the Parque Central, a five start hotel in Old Havana. Free time to explore Cuba is available in the evenings. Meetings run about 5 hours per day.

Trip itinerary includes

Tuesday

Group departs on Aerocaribe flight 7902 departing at 7:40 PM and arriving in Havana at 10:45 p.m. Group will be met by Art Quest representative inside the Havana Airport and taken by bus to the Hotel Parque Central. (20 min)

Wednesday

10 a.m Meet in lobby and depart by bus

10:15 a.m. Meeting at the headquarters of Movimiento por la Paz / Cuban Movement forPeace. Our host Dr. Manuel Yepe will talk about the organization that is supporting our visit to Cuba and explain the history and goals of MOVPAZ. Dr. Yepe will also give an informative presentation on key facts and figures of Cuba that will help us have a basic understanding of demographics. Dr. Yepe is a lawyer, economist, former ambassador to Romania and formally headed the Cuban Broadcasting system and was chief editor of the largest publication in Cuba, the Granma.

11:45 a.m. Lecture by Professor of Law  Julio Fernandez Bulte. Professor Bulte has worked for 30 years on a national commission for advanced learning in an effort improve the quality and uniformity of education for students. He will discuss the pros and cons of Cuba's legal system and educational system as well as the philosophy behind certain ideas and policies. The lecture will take place at Hotel Nacional conference room.

1:30 p.m. Lunch at Hotel Nacional (complimentary)

3:30 p.m. Discussion on US- Cuba relations.

Hosted by Prof. Carlos Alzugaray, Director of the Instituto Superior Relationes Internacionales (Institute of International Relations) Our discussion will focus on the history of US-Cuban relations as well as current issues facing both countries. Dr. Alzugaray is a brilliant orator and has held a variety of high ranking positions in the Cuban government including Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and Head of the Cuban Mission to the European Union. Meeting will be held at PC Hotel conference room.

Dinner on your own. Recommendations will be provided.

Thursday

10 a.m. Depart by bus to the University of Havana

10:15 a.m. Lecture by Professor of History and Lawyer Delio Carrera on the educational system in Cuba and the history of the University of Havana Law School. We will then tour the campus, law library and meet students from the law school.

12 noon Lunch at El Aljibe traditional Cuban favorites (complimentary)

1:30 p.m. Meeting with Jose Luis Toledo. Mr. Toledo is Deputy to the National Assembly of Peoples Power and President of the Commission for Constitutional Law at the Assembly. Topics will be the legislative process and constitutional law. The meeting will take place at the headquarters of the  National Assembly.

Dinner at Meson de la Flota– Great food and flamenco dancing. (complimentary)

Friday

9:30 a.m. Board bus

9:45 - 11:30 a.m. Organizacion Nacional de Bufetes Colectivos

A Cuban Law Collectivethat offers variouslegal assistance and representation to Cuban citizens, legal aliens and Cuban residents living abroad, in matters involving arbitration, court hearings, customs, registry and legal needs. Topics of discussion will includethe structure of the Cuban legal system, regulation of the legal system, settlement procedures and a description of typical cases handled by the colective. Host: Mrs. Nuris Pinero Sierra (Director)

11:45 a.m. Visit  elementary or secondary school

1:30 p.m. Return to Hotel - Lunch on your own – lobby restaurant at PC Hotel is excellent

3 p.m.  Meeting with Cameron Young of Berger and Young  Associates Ltd. This is the first consulting firm established by foreigners since the start of the revolution. Mr. Young  will discuss  the practical aspects of a foreign owned consulting firm operating in Cuba as well as the challenges faced by foreign businesses seeking to do business in Cuba. Lecture will be held in the conference room of the Parque Central Hotel.

Dinner on your own. Suggestions will be provided.

8 p.m. Meet with members of a local chapter of theCommittee for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) This is a neighborhood organization that plays a important role in Cuban society. After a short introduction and few questions we will turn on the music, open the rum and have what amounts to a block party. This festive gathering will give us chance to mingle with our hosts and do some salsa dancing!

Saturday

10 a.m. Lecture by ProfessorMarta Nunez on Cuban society. Professor Nunez is a fascinating lecturer who will explore many interesting and unique aspects of Cuban society including family rights, property laws and gender issues. Lecture will take place at PC Hotel.

Lunch – On your own

3 p.m. optional guided tour of the Museum of Cuban Art

Remainder of day free - suggestions for activities available upon request.

8 p.m. Farewell Dinner at Dona Carmela - a home restaurant (paladar) five stars! (comp)

Sunday

Option One - Aerocaribe Flt. 7901 departs Havana at 7 a.m. arrives Cancun 7 a.m.

Option Two - Aerocaribe Flt. 7539 departs Havana at 3:25 p.m. arrives Cancun 3:35p.m.

For more information, or to sign up, contact: mailto:debraheisick@hotmail.com or Debra Heisick (651) 603-1510, ext. 515