Program Overview

The Cuba Program of the Trinity Caribbean Project seeks to improve the quality of debate on Cuba and Cuba policy through the pursuit of three interrelated goals: 1) to help participants in the Cuba debate, from all ideological perspectives, obtain accurate, factual information about developments in Cuba; 2) to facilitate communication between individuals who do not normally exchange views, including those living on the island; and 3) to encourage actors in the political process to understand how a given issue appears from different perspectives. Mechanisms instituted to further these goals include the following.

The Cuba Study Group was formed in 1990 and comprises individuals from a wide ideological spectrum drawn from academia, the legislative and executive branches of government, and various non-governmental organizations. All meetings are strictly off-the-record by invitation only. Past topics have included "The Independent Press in Cuba: Problems and Prospects," "Actions by Foreign Organizations and Their Impact on Cuban Society," "The Evolving Role of Religion in Cuba," and "Recent Developments in the Cuban Economy."

Cuba Analytical Workshops bring together a very small group of individuals with expertise on a particular Cuba-related issue or development for focused analysis and debate. Participants vary according to the workshop topic. These workshops are also off-the-record and by invitation only.

Congressional Staffers' Briefings aim to inform staffers of the factual circumstances regarding issues of U.S. legislation and policy toward Cuba. These meetings cover such topics as "Confiscated Properties in Cuba: Possible Compensation Mechanisms," "The Role of Human Rights in Cuba's Political Evolution," and "Implications of the Helms-Burton Bill: Three Legal Perspectives."

Cuba Program Meetings feature on-the-record presentations designed to inform a wide audience of developments regarding Cuba. Past topics have included "Cuba's Economic Developments and their Political Implications," "Government Impediments to U.S.-Cuba Academic Exchanges," and "The Military and Transition in Cuba."

Our Research Facilitation Service provides assistance to Cuban scholars whose research would benefit from access to information not readily available in Cuba due to technical, economic and other limitations. Scholars submit research requests to Caribbean Project interns, who send back relevant material electronically or in print form.

Cuban Academic Exchanges bring Cuban scholars and analysts to Washington to participate in a series of informal seminars and one-on-one meetings with their American counterparts.