麻豆影院

麻豆影院 State Scholar Sees Opportunities To Connect In New Relationship With Cuba

President Barack Obama鈥檚 recent decision to chart a new course in our country鈥檚 relationship with Cuba focuses on creating a new ally while empowering the Cuban people. Obama ordered the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Cuba and the opening of an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than 50 years. The United States also is opening diplomatic exchanges and easing financial restrictions. 

Anne MorrisonAnne Morrison, a professor at 麻豆影院鈥檚 School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, has been studying Cuba鈥檚 education system with visits to the country several times each year over the last decade.   

鈥淚 had a sense something was coming, but it still took me by surprise,鈥 Morrison said. 鈥淢y feelings are mostly positive about this news. I do have some concerns that things might change too drastically or too fast. My concern is for the Cuban people.鈥

Morrison sees hope and opportunities with the policy change.

鈥淢y hope and my excitement is that we are finally deconstructing that shadow of secrecy and the divisive relationships that don鈥檛 need to exist anymore. What we鈥檝e done has not worked, so it was time for a change.鈥

While there will be challenges, Morrison said both countries would benefit from the new relationship.

鈥淔inancially, the fact that we鈥檙e opening up diplomacy, trade and exchanges has potential for great positive outcomes for Cuba as well as the United States,鈥 Morrison said.

Healthcare and urban planning provide a special opportunity for future exchange, she said.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited about the opportunities of partnerships when it comes to healthcare in Cuba,鈥 Morrison said. 鈥淭hey have made tremendous advances in research, but it鈥檚 very difficult for them to take their findings to fruition. With 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 College of Public Health and the university鈥檚 connections to top area hospitals, we are well positioned to be more connected with Cuba. We can be useful, while our students could learn so much.鈥

Morrison helped organize an educational exchange trip in March for a group of 麻豆影院 State administrators, faculty and university supporters. The group engaged in a unique opportunity to develop an insider鈥檚 view of Cuba鈥檚 healthcare system, with a special focus on urban planning, culture and health. Participants engaged in activities and dialogue with Cuban professionals including professor and architect, Miguel Coyula. The group delivered professional books and journals addressing urban planning and design requested by Coyula in a previous visit. 

Dennis Eckart, 麻豆影院 State Board of Trustees chair and a former U.S. congressman, was part of that trip.

鈥淗aving followed the political issues in Cuba for 35 years, first as a member of Congress and then heading the Cleveland chamber of commerce, it became abundantly clear to me that our current policy was not working,鈥 Eckart said. 鈥淚n fact, when I visited Cuba earlier this year, it also was clear to me that the only victims of our policy were the people of Cuba. So I am delighted having seen first hand the expectations of access to greater freedoms and great economic activity can mean to people of that island nation.鈥

Eckhart said our previous policy no longer made sense.

鈥淭he cold war is long over,鈥 Eckart said. 鈥淢ost nations that have been adversaries of the United States now have significant political and economic relationships with us, whether it鈥檚 Vietnam or China. We now know there is more to be gained by having direct relationships.鈥

Eckhart said the timing is good.

鈥淔idel and Raul Castro are now in their middle to high 80s,鈥 Eckart said. 鈥淪o the time to make this significant change is when they are still in a position of respect and authority but there will be a new generation of leadership in Cuba soon. 鈥

Morrison and Eckart see great potential with the new policy, including the areas of urban planning and improving agricultural infrastructure. 

Morrison is also also excited that Obama and Castro may participate in the Summit of the Americas in Panama in April of 2015.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we鈥檝e ever had a U.S. president and a Cuban president together at that summit, so that鈥檚 big news,鈥 Morrison said.


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Media Contacts: 
Bob Burford, rburford@kent.edu, 330-672-8516
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797

POSTED: Friday, December 19, 2014 05:32 PM
Updated: Saturday, December 3, 2022 01:02 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Bob Burford