Finding Balance For The World In Cuba

After several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fifth International Conference for the Balance of the World finally got underway from Tuesday, 24 January 2023 in Havana, Cuba. This edition of the Conference is a Dialogue of Civilisations geared towards the vision, “With all and for the good of all” and is set to take place over a span of 5 days ending on Saturday, 28 January 2023.  

Dr. Hector-Hernandez Pardo, Deputy Director-General of the José Martí Project for World Solidarity, a UNESCO supported organisation and convenor of the Conference, rightly mentioned that it is “a plural, multidisciplinary thinking forum, in which there is no pressing issue in the world that is not on the agenda”. The Conference is not only an opportunity to ideate on what balance in our world looks like, but also to experience the humility and warmth of that the people of Cuba embody despite the many challenges the country faces today.  

Ramit Singh Chimni, a prominent Indian social activist and the Chair of the Jury for the distinguished International UNESCO/José Martí Prize, is one of the 1100-member delegation that is currently attending the Conference. The Prize is one of the six prizes awarded by UNESCO under its Social and Human Sciences wing and was instituted upon the initiative of the Government of Cuba in the year 1994. It is awarded during the Conference to “promote equality, solidarity, and human rights” in recognition and furtherance of “outstanding merit in accordance with the ideals of José Martí”. Martí was a pioneer of the Cuban Revolution and is revered across the country as an apostle of peace, justice, liberty, and equality. This year, the Jury of the prize has decided to award Paul Estrade of France for “his work in favour of human rights, peace and solidarity among the nations and peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean”. Estrade is a professor emeritus, writer, and historian devoted to the work and life of Martí.  

In celebration of the universality of Martí, the Conference also featured an exhibition of paintings made by school students from all over India in tribute to Martí. The exhibition, held at the National José Martí Library and organised by the Director of the Library Dr. Eduardo Torres-Cuevas, was inaugurated by the Indian non-profit civil service organisation Eight Goals One Foundation (8one), Alpidio Alonso, the Minister of Culture of Cuba, and Dr S. Janakiraman, the Ambassador of India to Cuba.  

Both India and Cuba share a deep history and common ground in cultural heritage and political ideals, and the friendship between the two nations has continued to deepen over the last six decades. From running joint programmes in renewable energy to sharing resources in healthcare and sports.  

Cuba holds deep respect for the leaders who have helped build both the nations and celebrates their legacies with much fervour. This includes the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with year-long commemorative events, such as launch of a postage stamp, tree plantations, photo exhibitions, and educational programs, and renaming the library at Casa de Asia after Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. 

Recently, the All-India Institute of Ayurveda in India signed an MoU with the University of Medical Sciences of Havana (UCMH) to set up a satellite centre of AIIA in Cuba and share resources and help impart training to the Cuban youth and professionals in the science of Ayurveda. 

Even with economic crises and international pressure forming the backdrop of the Conference, Cuba is helping pave the path to bring much needed balance to the world – all the while ensuring the spirit and the smiles of its people can spread the light into the lives of others.