London, May 24, 2022- On Monday afternoon, the Minister of Education, Ena Elsa Velázquez Cobiella, held a fruitful and cordial exchange with members of the British Parliament.
The head of the MINED thanked the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba (APPG) for its role in promoting dialogue between Cuba and the United Kingdom, as well as in supporting the fight for the lifting of the blockade imposed by the United States, emphasizing the support for the Early Day Motion 1550 signed by 58 British parliamentarians to call for an end to the blockade and the normalization of US-Cuba relations.
She recalled that in recent years this policy has intensified with the application of 243 measures by the Trump Administration that remain in full force. In this context, she emphasized that Cuba had to bet on its sovereignty in terms of vaccines to face Covid, which has made it possible for 96.7% of the vaccinable population to be immunized with a complete schedule.
Grahame Morris, president of the APPG, described the development of Cuban vaccines as "incredible" despite the tightening of the blockade and was interested in the vaccination program for children, as well as the impact of Washington's measures in the education sector.
Chris Law, Member of Parliament for the Scottish National Party (SNP), asked how it has been possible for Cuba to maintain free health and education services despite the impact of Covid-19 and the blockade.
Kim Johnson, Labor parliamentarian and member of the APPG on Cuba, was interested in learning about the island's strategy to reach students in the most isolated areas.
Minister Ena Elsa offered those present an update on the vaccination program for children, as well as the alternatives adopted by the MINED to maintain education during the most complex stage of the pandemic, through more than 1,500 virtual classes, among other strategies.
In the bilateral field with the United Kingdom, the Minister referred to the collaboration with the British Council, fundamentally for the teaching of the English language, and highlighted the existing potential to expand relations in the education sector.
The occasion was propitious to express gratitude to the parliamentarians who supported the nomination of the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade for the Nobel Peace Prize.
She accompanied the Minister, the Ambassador of Cuba, Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez. The First Secretary for Academic Affairs, Michel Rodríguez, and the Second Secretary for Political Affairs, Aymée Díaz, were present.
The head of MINED arrived in London on May 20 to attend the World Education Forum. During her stay, she will speak on Wednesday 25 at the high-level event to share Cuban experiences in education technologies and educational policies.