Helsinki, May 28, 2018. Dr. Mariela Castro Espín, deputy and director of the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) of Cuba, gave a lecture at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki, attended by the former President of the Republic of Finland, H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, who delivered a closing speech.
Cuban ambassador Eduardo Lazo Pérez and the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hannu Nieminen, were among the hundred attendees. Teachers, students, retireed diplomats, Cubans living in the Nordic country, members of the Finland-Cuba Friendship Association, journalists and businessmen, among others, also participated.
In her lecture entitled "The Education of Sexuality in the Processes of Social Transformation of the Cuban Revolution," the Cuban expert explained how the education of sexuality was shaped in the social policy of the Revolution from early stages and the role of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Federation of Cuban Women in recognizing sex education as the responsibility of the State.
After the speech of Dr. Castro Espín, Mrs, Tarja Halonen, current Chair of the Board of Directors of the University of Helsinki, praised the Cuban experience in the treatment of the aforementioned topics, and explained the historical evolution of these subjects in Finland and the current role of the United Nations in this matter. The experienced politician thanked the Cuban representative for the lecture and its visit to the University.
Dr. Mariela Castro Espín talks with former Finnish President Tarja Halonen before the beginning of the lecture.
The audience had the opportunity to share with the Cuban parliamentarian, who received on May 25 the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Psychology from the Åbo Akademi University, in the city of Turku (Report: Embassy of Cuba to Finland).
Dr. Mariela Castro Espín with Cuban residents in Finland.
Dr. Mariela Castro Espín with members of the Friendship Association Finlandia-Cuba and a Cuban resident.