Promoting Latin American Intellectuals

Cuba has open the first House of ALBA (ALBA stands in Spanish for Bolivarian Agreement of the Americas). The launch of ‘La casa de Cuba ALBA’ is a project that ‘aims to promote and legitimise the intellectuals of the region without having to go through rich countries’ (I need to ask: what is wrong with rich countries? I believe that they have done pretty well promoting their intellect, don’t you think?).

There are plans to open other 'Houses' in each of the countries of ALBA and also in other countries of the region. The project is led by Venezuela and Cuba and seeks better integration between less developed countries. I must add that the Alliance was sought as an alternative to the Free Trade Area (FTA)of the Americas proposed by the United States.

The plan is to help young artist with the economic process and as the Vice Minister of Culture Fernando Rojas says, ‘it is an alternative to hegemonic industry’.

Ismael Gonzalez, responsible for the Cuban Cultural ALBA Project, explains that contests and prizes for youth includes money as wells as publication and dissemination of their work and/or awards for "the work of a lifetime" (I guess this one is for those that are not in their youth). He also adds that the project includes scholarships which will financially help the movement of researchers between Latin American nations.