Dialogue about Cuba

The Role of the European Union & Spain

(Madrid; October 20th, 2015)

Program Agenda

08:45 Registration
09:00

Opening

  • José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Former President of Spain
  • Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Former Foreign Secretary of Spain
  • Eugenio Martínez Enríquez, Ambassador of Cuba to Spain
  • Kris Urs, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the United States in Spain
  • Juan Costa Climent, Former Minister of Science and Technology of Spain and EY Global Climate Change & Sustainability Services Leader
10:00

Panel 1. Analysis of the Political Rapprochement between Cuba and North America.
Moderator: Carlos Alonso Zaldívar, Former Ambassador of Spain to Cuba

  • Benita Ferrero Waldner; Former Foreign Secretary in Austria, President of the Foundation European Union- Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC)
  • Soraya Castro Mariño, Expert in Cuba-U.S. relations
  • Peter Schechter, Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
  • Shelby Smith-Wilson, Political advisor, Department of State of the United States
11:30 Coffee-break
12:00

PANEL 2. Economic Reforms and Investment Perspectives in Cuba
Moderator: Joaquín Estefanía, Economist and journalist; Former Director of the newspaper El País and Former Director of the School of Journalism UAM-El País

  • Jaime García-Legaz, Secretary of State for Trade of Spain
  • Omar de Jesús Fernández Jiménez, Chamber of Commerce Secretary of Cuba
  • Paulina Beato, Professor of Economic Analysis, Commercial Expert and Economist of the State
  • Michael Parmly, Former Director of the U.S. Interests Section in Cuba
  • Alfredo Bonet, International Director, Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Service and Shipping in Spain
14:00 Lunch Break
15:30

PANEL 3. Sustainability, Innovation and Cooperation in Latin America
Moderator: José Carlos Diez

  • Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of the SEGIB (Ibero-American Secretary-General)
  • Miguel Sebastián, Former Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade; Professor of the Faculty of Economics at the Complutense University of Madrid
  • Eugenio Martínez Bravo, Managing Partner of Kreab Iberia
  • Maria Garaña Corces, Vice President of Microsoft to Europe
 17:00

PANEL 4. Spain and Cuba: A Story with a Future
Moderator: Marife Santiago, Writer and Professor at Complutense University of Madrid

  • Alquimia Peña, Filmmaker
  • Vladimir Cruz, Actor
  • Miguel Ángel de Frutos, Former General Directorate of Consular Relations
  • Liuba Cid, Theater Researcher, Director of the Mephisto Group
  • José María Vitier, Composer
18:30 Closing Ceremony and Conclusions
This will include a Cuban music concert by Jose Maria Vitier, Composer and Pianist.

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