Marazul Charters, with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as its program consultant, announces an exciting research opportunity June 2–10, 2012, for full-time social work faculty and administrators. The program, titled Social Work in Cuba: What the Social Work Profession in Cuba and the United States Can Learn From One Another, will provide a comprehensive view of the development and present state of Cuban social work education and practice.
Participants will learn about social work education and practice in Cuba and have the opportunity to establish contacts for possible future collaboration with the Cuban social work community. Meetings will be held with social work faculty from the University of Havana and social workers in diverse agencies, organizations, and the Cuban Society of Social Workers in Health Care. Participants also will visit research centers, community development programs, and health care centers.
David Strug, professor emeritus of social work at Yeshiva University, will participate in this program. Dr. Strug has traveled to Cuba and written about social work on the island.
The Cuban government developed a unique community-oriented social work program in the 1990s in response to emerging social problems. Cuba, a small country of about 11 million persons, has trained more than 40,000 social workers since the year 2000. Social workers in Cuba work closely with community leaders, grassroots organizations, and regional and municipal authorities to promote community building and assist vulnerable populations. The Cuban social work model reflects the uniqueness of postrevolutionary Cuban society, its political economy, and its collective value system.
The estimated cost of the program is $2,650 double occupancy and $2,775 single occupancy. This includes round-trip air fare from Miami to Havana, hotel accommodations for 8 nights, breakfast daily, welcome and farewell dinners, a bilingual guide, daily bus transportation, and all program activities. Final cost may vary depending on the number of participants enrolled. A nonrefundable $200 per person deposit (via credit card, certified check, or money order) is due no later than 2 months prior to departure. Final payment is due no later than 1 month prior to departure. The cost of a domestic flight to Miami or other city of departure for Havana is additional.
Space for this program is limited, and there is an application process. Please contact Marazul as soon as possible if you want to participate, and copy David Strug (strug@yu.edu) on correspondence with Marazul. Include a CV and a brief description of why you want to participate in this program. Participants will be asked to complete a brief evaluation of the program for CSWE on their return. Arrangements should be made directly with Marazul Charters, a travel provider specifically licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to make travel arrangements to, from, and within Cuba (marazulhealth@gmail.com) or +1.800.223.5334, ext 16. The application deadline is May 2, 2012.
Application (Word)
Travel Advice (Word)