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'''RESPECT''': Responsible & Ethical Cuba Travel
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An association of U.S. Travelers to Cuba
+
'''RESPECT''': Responsible & Ethical Cuba Travel.
respect@respectassociation.org
+
 
Mission Statement
+
==Background 'Cuba: Reportback from Havana'==
RESPECT (Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel) is a U.S. professional association uniting
+
 
nonprofit entities, travel agents, tour operators and other travel service providers dedicated to
+
Cuba: Reportback from Havana conference on  travel and Trump policies by [[Janet Tucker|Janet Jenkins Tucker]] and [[Harry Targ]]
practicing and promoting ethical and socially responsible travel to Cuba.
+
Principles
+
::The [[CCDS]] Socialist Education Project 4th Monday Monthly Discussion Monday, November 27, 2017.
 +
 +
::Sonic attacks. Hurricanes. Diplomat expulsions. Danger warnings to U.S. citizens. New Trump administration restrictions on people-to-people travel.
 +
 +
::What are the facts and how do we respond? How do we promote travel to Cuba that is responsible and ethical?
 +
 +
::These were the questions that framed a 2-day conference in Havana in September for the founding of a new travel association called [[RESPECT|RESPECT - Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel]]. The conference was under way when the Trump administration announced it would impose new travel restrictions and warned U.S. citizens not to travel to [[Cuba]].
 +
 +
::You are invited to a discussion with three veteran friends of Cuba that attended the [[Havana]] [[RESPECT]] conference:
 +
 +
*[[Bob Guild]], a founder of [[RESPECT]] and vice-president of [[Marazul Tours]], [[New York City]]
 +
*[[Otis Cunningham]], long time Cuba solidarity activist, [[Chicago]]
 +
*[[Peter Orris]], MD, occupational medicine doctor and Cuba solidarity activist, [[Chicago]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/events/129500724415571/ Cuba: Reportback from Havana conference on travel and Trump policies (accessed January 31, 2023)]</ref>,<ref>[https://archive.vn/5uIWC Archive Link Cuba: Reportback from Havana conference on travel and Trump policies (accessed January 31, 2023)]</ref>
 +
 
 +
[[Category: RESPECT]]
 +
[[Category: Cuba]]
 +
 
 +
==Mission Statement==
 +
'''RESPECT''' (Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel) is a U.S. professional association uniting nonprofit entities, travel agents, tour operators and other travel service providers dedicated to practicing and promoting ethical and socially responsible travel to Cuba.
 +
 
 +
'''Principles'''
 
Members of the Association agree to uphold the following principles in organizing travel to
 
Members of the Association agree to uphold the following principles in organizing travel to
 
Cuba:
 
Cuba:
 +
 
1. We understand that the opportunity to visit Cuba is a step towards promoting mutual
 
1. We understand that the opportunity to visit Cuba is a step towards promoting mutual
 
understanding and learning, through firsthand respectful exchanges, contributing to
 
understanding and learning, through firsthand respectful exchanges, contributing to
 
more informed, pro-active and responsible global citizenship on the part of all
 
more informed, pro-active and responsible global citizenship on the part of all
 
concerned.
 
concerned.
 +
 
2. We frame our Principles in the context of the internationally agreed-upon UN
 
2. We frame our Principles in the context of the internationally agreed-upon UN
 
Sustainable Development Goals and respect for Cuba’s path to sustainable
 
Sustainable Development Goals and respect for Cuba’s path to sustainable
 
development, as determined by Cubans themselves.
 
development, as determined by Cubans themselves.
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs,
+
 
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sdgoverview/post-2015-developmentagenda.html)
 
 
3. “First do no harm” – the cornerstone of medical ethics worldwide – is fundamental to
 
3. “First do no harm” – the cornerstone of medical ethics worldwide – is fundamental to
 
the principles that guide our organizations and those who travel to Cuba with us,
 
the principles that guide our organizations and those who travel to Cuba with us,
 
respecting historical sites and natural areas and leaving them as we find them without
 
respecting historical sites and natural areas and leaving them as we find them without
disturbing their peace and sanctity .
+
disturbing their peace and sanctity.
4. We encourage our travelers – before they travel – to learn about Cuba and its history
+
 
 +
4. We encourage our travelers – before they travel – to learn about Cuba and its history
 
from a variety of sources, including Cuban sources.
 
from a variety of sources, including Cuban sources.
5. We are committed to transparency in our relations with all Cuban entities and people,
+
 
accurately and honestly representing ourselves and our intentions.
+
5. We are committed to transparency in our relations with all Cuban entities and people, accurately and honestly representing ourselves and our intentions.
6. We affirm our commitment to respect all Cubans, without regard to skin color, gender,
+
 
sexual orientation, religion, age, political persuasion, abilities or economic status.
+
6. We affirm our commitment to respect all Cubans, without regard to skin color, gender,
7. We are committed to upholding non-exploitative relationships with Cuban entities and
+
sexual orientation, religion, age, political persuasion, abilities or economic status.
people, and respect for policies and laws enacted to prevent discrimination and
+
 
exploitation of all kinds.
+
7. We are committed to upholding non-exploitative relationships with Cuban entities and people, and respect for policies and laws enacted to prevent discrimination and exploitation of all kinds.
8. We promote healthy and respectful travel to Cuba and vehemently oppose “sex
+
 
tourism” and associated businesses in any form, all of these prohibited by Cuban law.
+
8. We promote healthy and respectful travel to Cuba and vehemently oppose “sex tourism” and associated businesses in any form, all of these prohibited by Cuban law.
9. We are committed to support Cuba’s efforts to confront climate change and protect the
+
 
environment, actively contributing to conservation of energy and water resources, as
+
9. We are committed to support Cuba’s efforts to confront climate change and protect the environment, actively contributing to conservation of energy and water resources, as well as protection of urban and rural landscapes, flora, fauna, beaches and marine life.
well as protection of urban and rural landscapes, flora, fauna, beaches and marine life.
+
 
10. We will respect the authenticity of Cuban culture, its heritage, multiple roots and
+
10. We will respect the authenticity of Cuban culture, its heritage, multiple roots and manifestations, as well as the cultural contributions of the Cuban people to world culture.
manifestations, as well as the cultural contributions of the Cuban people to world
+
 
culture. We will consciously help to care for and maintain the country’s UNESCOidentified
+
We will consciously help to care for and maintain the country’s UNESCOidentified
 
World Heritage Sites and other monuments and sites that constitute part of
 
World Heritage Sites and other monuments and sites that constitute part of
 
Cuba’s cultural patrimony.
 
Cuba’s cultural patrimony.
 +
 
11. We will abide by Cuban laws and regulations pertinent to our travel, including but not
 
11. We will abide by Cuban laws and regulations pertinent to our travel, including but not
 
limited to immigration and customs regulations.
 
limited to immigration and customs regulations.
 +
 
12. We are committed to protecting the health of our travelers and the Cuban people, by
 
12. We are committed to protecting the health of our travelers and the Cuban people, by
 
doing our part to keep infectious diseases and prohibited drugs from entering Cuba.
 
doing our part to keep infectious diseases and prohibited drugs from entering Cuba.
 +
 
13. We encourage travelers to purchase products made in Cuba particularly from those who
 
13. We encourage travelers to purchase products made in Cuba particularly from those who
 
contribute to local development efforts, giving back to their communities.
 
contribute to local development efforts, giving back to their communities.
 +
 
14. We uphold the rights of travelers and their hosts in Cuba to be treated with respect and
 
14. We uphold the rights of travelers and their hosts in Cuba to be treated with respect and
 
dignity, and commit ourselves to addressing issues of concern in this area through
 
dignity, and commit ourselves to addressing issues of concern in this area through
 
established mechanisms between the Association and its Cuban counterparts, in a spirit
 
established mechanisms between the Association and its Cuban counterparts, in a spirit
 
of constructive dialogue and joint reflection.
 
of constructive dialogue and joint reflection.
 +
 
15. We believe all US citizens and residents have the right to travel to Cuba, and advocate
 
15. We believe all US citizens and residents have the right to travel to Cuba, and advocate
 
lifting all US governmental travel restrictions to the island.
 
lifting all US governmental travel restrictions to the island.
16. As an Association, we encourage our members’ efforts to support travel to Cuba by
+
 
people of modest means, making the island a destination for the many, not just the few.
+
16. As an Association, we encourage our members’ efforts to supportm travel to Cuba by people of modest means, making the island a destination for the many, not just thefew.
17. The Association supports Cuba’s contribution to the Caribbean as a zone of peace, and
+
 
as a safe and peaceful destination for all travelers.
+
17. The Association supports Cuba’s contribution to the Caribbean as a zone of peace, and as a safe and peaceful destination for all travelers.<ref>[https://globalexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RESPECT-Principles-and-Members.pdf]</ref>
 +
 
 
==RESPECT Coordinators==
 
==RESPECT Coordinators==
 
*[[Bob Guild]], [[Marazul]]
 
*[[Bob Guild]], [[Marazul]]
 
*[[Gail Reed]], [[MEDICC]]  
 
*[[Gail Reed]], [[MEDICC]]  
*[[Walter Turner]], [[Global Exchange]]
+
*[[Walter Turner]], [[Global Exchange]]<ref>[https://globalexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RESPECT-Principles-and-Members.pdf]</ref>
  
 
==Founding members==
 
==Founding members==
[[Academic Travel Abroad]] [[Kate Simpson]] President
+
*[[Academic Travel Abroad]] [[Kate Simpson]] President
[[Altruvistas]] [[Malia Everette]] President
+
*[[Altruvistas]] [[Malia Everette]] President
[[Backroads]] [[Tom Hale]] Founder and President
+
*[[Backroads]] [[Tom Hale]] Founder and President
[[Caribbean Conservation Trust]] [[Gary Markowski]] Founder, Executive Director
+
*[[Caribbean Conservation Trust]] [[Gary Markowski]] Founder, Executive Director
Center for Cuban Studies Sandra Levinson Executive Director
+
*[[Center for Cuban Studies]] [[Sandra Levinson]] Executive Director
Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) Martha Honey Executive Director
+
*[[Center for Responsible Travel]] (CREST) [[Martha Honey]] Executive Director
Classic Journeys Edward Piegza President
+
*[[Classic Journeys]] [[Edward Piegza]] President
Common Ground Debbie Ledesma President
+
*[[Common Ground]] [[Debbie Ledesma]] President
Cross Cultural Journeys Cilla Utne CEO
+
*[[Cross Cultural Journeys]] [[Cilla Utne]] CEO
Cuba Cultural Travel Daniel Perez
+
*[[Cuba Cultural Travel]] [[Daniel James Perez-Pax|Daniel Perez]]
Cuba Educational Travel Collin Laverty President
+
*[[Cuba Educational Travel]] [[Collin Laverty]] President
CubaMar Fernando Bretos
+
*[[CubaMar]] [[Fernando Bretos]]
CubaPuentes Silvia Wilhelm President
+
*[[CubaPuentes]] [[Silvia Wilhelm]] President
Distant Horizons Amanda Bradshaw / Janet Moore
+
*[[Distant Horizons]] [[Amanda Bradshaw]]/[[Janet Moore]]
Educational Travel Alliance Mike Eizenberg President
+
*[[Educational Travel Alliance]] [[Mike Eizenberg]] President
Environmental Defense Fund Dan Whittle Senior Director
+
*[[Environmental Defense Fund]] [[Dan Whittle]] Senior Director
Global Arts/Media Vanessa Greene
+
*[[Global Arts]]/[[Media]] [[Vanessa Greene]]
Global Exchange Walter Turner President
+
*[[Global Exchange]] [[Walter Turner]] President
Global Health Partners Bob Schwartz Executive Director
+
*[[Global Health Partners]] [[Bob Schwartz]] Executive Director
Global Links Kathleen Hower Director
+
*[[Global Links]] [[Kathleen Hower]] Director
Holbrook Travel Andrea Holbrook President
+
*[[Holbrook Travel]] [[Andrea Holbrook]] President
Insight Cuba Tom Popper President
+
*[[Insight Cuba]] [[Tom Popper]] President
International Expeditions Steve Cox Director
+
*[[International Expeditions]] [[Steve Cox]] Director
International Outreach Educational Center (Cuba Girasol) Rodrigo González
+
*[[International Outreach Educational Center(Cuba Girasol)]] [[Rodrigo Gonzalez]]
Interplanner Alex Lopez President
+
*[[Interplanner]] [[Alex López|Alex Lopez]] President
ISRAM - Latour / PrideWorld Richard Kreiger President
+
*[[ISRAM - Latour]]/[[PrideWorld]] [[Richard Kreiger]] President
Marazul Charters Armando Garcia President
+
*[[Marazul Charters]] [[Armando Garcia]] President
Marazul Tours Mayra Alonso / Kendra Guild
+
*[[Marazul Tours]] [[Mayra Alonso]]/[[Kendra Guild]]
Marazul Miami Travel Marisol Rodriguez President
+
*[[Marazul Miami Travel]] [[Marisol Rodriguez]] President
MEDICC Nassim Assefi Executive Director
+
*[[MEDICC]] [[Nassim Assefi]] Executive Director
Mejdi Tours Scott Cooper President
+
*[[Mejdi Tours]] [[Scott Cooper]] President
Metamovements Anara Piers Frank Founder, Director
+
*[[Metamovements Anara]] [[Piers Frank]] Founder, Director
The Ocean Foundation Mark Spalding President
+
*[[The Ocean Foundation]] [[Mark Spalding]] President
PlazaCUBA Alisa Froman Executive Director
+
*[[PlazaCUBA]] [[Alisa Froman]] Executive Director
Road Scholar JoAnn Bell Vice President of Programs
+
*[[Road Scholar]] [[JoAnn Bell]] Vice President of Programs
Row Adventures Peter Grubb Founder, President
+
*[[Row Adventures]] [[Peter Grubb]] Founder, President
Son Dos Alas – Cultural and Educationl Travel Melisa Riviere, Ph.D. Founder
+
*[[Son Dos Alas – Cultural and Educationl Travel]] [[Melisa Riviere]], Ph.D. Founder
Wilson international Daniel French / Digna French
+
*[[Wilson International]] [[Daniel E. French|Daniel French]]/[[Digna French]]
YourWorld Consultant Group, Inc. Willard Taylor
+
*[[Your World Consultant Group, Inc.]] [[Willard Taylor]]
African American Studies Department - Merritt College Professor Siri Briggs Brown
+
*[[African American Studies Department - Merritt College]] Professor [[Siri Briggs Brown]]
Art Trips to Cuba Dr. Pedro Schuck Coordinator
+
*[[Art Trips to Cuba]] Dr. [[Pedro Schuck]] Coordinator
Boulder-Cuba Sister City Organization Kate Hennessey / Spense Havlick Coordinators
+
*[[Boulde-Cuba Sister City Organization]] [[Kate Hennessey]]/[[Spense Havlick]] Coordinators
Center for Global Justice Cliff DuRand Coordinator, Educational Travel
+
*[[Center for Global Justice]] [[Cliff DuRand]] Coordinator, Educational Travel
The Committee on Illinois/CubaTours4U Scott Schwar
+
*[[The Committee on Illinois/CubaTours4U]] [[Scott Schwar]]
Cubamistad Cynthia Roberts
+
*[[Cubamistad]] [[Cynthia Roberts]]
Diaspora Enterprise Solutions, LLC Kasara E. Davidson, Esq.
+
*[[Diaspora Enterprise Solutions, LLC]] [[Kasara E. Davidson, Esq.]]
EcoCuba Network Pam Montanaro / Michele Frank Co-founders
+
*[[EcoCuba Network]] [[Pam Montanaro]]/[[Michele Frank]] Co-founders
Foundation for Normalization of US/Cuba Relations Elena Freyre President
+
*[[Foundation for Normalization of US/Cuba Relations]] [[Elena Freyre]] President
Fund for Reconciliation and Development John McAuliff Executive Director
+
*[[Fund for Reconciliation and Development]] [[John McAuliff]] Executive Director
Hothouse Jazz Club, Chicago Marguerite Horberg Executive Director
+
*[[Hothouse Jazz Club]], Chicago [[Marguerite Horberg]] Executive Director
IFCO/Pastors for Peace Gail Walker Director
+
*[[IFCO]]/[[Pastors for Peace]] [[Gail Walker]] Director
Howard County Friends of Latin America Leslie Salgado Chairperson
+
*[[Howard County Friends of Latin America]] [[Leslie Salgado]] Chairperson
MAAT Center Dr. Maisha Amen President
+
*[[MAAT Center]] Dr. [[Maisha Amen]] President
Madison Camaguey Sister City Association Ricardo Gonzalez
+
*[[Madison Camaguey Sister City Association]] [[Ricardo Gonzalez]]
Making the Road Prexy Nesbitt Executive Director
+
*[[Making the Road]] [[Prexy Nesbitt]] Executive Director
Minnesota Cuba Committee Marcy Shapiro Chairperson
+
*[[Minnesota Cuba Committee]] [[Marcy Shapiro]] Chairperson
National Lawyers Guild Natasha Lycia Ora Bannan President
+
*[[National Lawyers Guild]] [[Natasha Lycia]]
National Network on Cuba
+
*[[Ora Bannan]] President [[National Network on Cuba]]
Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership Lisa Valanti Vice President
+
*[[Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership]] [[Lisa Valanti Vice]], President
Richmond, Ca - Regla, Cuba Friendship Committee Rita Barouch Chairperson
+
*[[Richmond]], Ca - Regla, [[Cuba Friendship Committee]] [[Rita Barouch]] Chairperson
Seattle – Cuba Friendship Committee John Waller
+
*[[Seattle]] [[Cuba Friendship Committee]] [[John Waller]]
*SOL² ECONOMICS* Eric Leenson President
+
*[[*SOL² ECONOMICS*]] [[Eric Leenson]] President [[Responsible Enterprise *SOL*utions and *SOL*idarity in the Americas]]
Responsible Enterprise *SOL*utions and *SOL*idarity in the Americas
+
*[[US Women and Cuba Collaboration]] [[Jan Strout]]/[[Cindy Domingo]]
US Women and Cuba Collaboration Jan Strout / Cindy Domingo
+
*[[Venceremos Brigade]] [[Malcolm Sacks]]/[[Rachael Ibrahim]]
Venceremos Brigade Malcolm Sacks / Rachael Ibrahim
+
*[[The Wisconsin Medical Project]] Dr. [[Bernard Micke]] President
The Wisconsin Medical Project Dr. Bernard Micke President
+
*[[Witness for Peace]] [[Ken Crowley]]<ref>[https://globalexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RESPECT-Principles-and-Members.pdf]</ref>
Witness for Peace Ken Crowley
+
 
Individual sponsors*
+
==Individual sponsors==
Marilyn Aguirre-Molina Professor of Public Health
+
*[[Marilyn Aguirre-Molina]] Professor of Public Health CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
+
*[[Mavis Anderson]] Senior Associate, [[Latin America Working Group]]
Mavis Anderson Senior Associate, Latin America Working Group
+
*[[Charles Auffant]] Professor, Rutgers University School of Law
Charles Auffant Professor, Rutgers University School of Law
+
*Dr. [[Lisa Brock]] Academic Director, [[Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership]], Kalamazoo College
Dr. Lisa Brock Academic Director, Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership,
+
*[[Leslie Cagan]] Former Coordinator, [[Cuba Information Project]]
Kalamazoo College
+
*[[Aviva Chomsky]] Professor of History /Coordinator of Latin American Studies, Salem State College
Leslie Cagan Former Coordinator, Cuba Information Project
+
*[[Otis Cunningham]] Chicago
Aviva Chomsky Professor of History / Coordinator of Latin American Studies,
+
*[[Joelle Deloison]]
Salem State College
+
*[[James Early]] Former Director, Cultural Heritage  Policy, [[Smithsonian Institute]] For Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Otis Cunningham Chicago
+
*[[Soffiyah Elijah|Jill Soffiyah Elijah]] Attorney
Joelle Deloison
+
*[[Richard Feinberg]] University of California at San Diego
James Early Former Director, Cultural heritage Policy, Smithsonian Institute
+
*[[Alvaro Fernandez]] Editor/Publisher [[Progreso Weekly]]/[[Semanal]]
For Folklife and Cultural Heritage
+
*[[Jane Franklin]] Historian
Jill Soffiyah Elijah Attorney
+
*[[Pat Fry]] Writer
Richard Feinberg University of California at San Diego
+
*[[Mariana Gaston]] Educator
Alvaro Fernandez Editor/Publisher Progreso Weekly / Semanal
+
*[[Danny Glover]] Chair, [[TransAfrica Forum]] Board
Jane Franklin Historian
+
*[[Conner Gorry]] [[Cuba Libro]]
Pat Fry Writer
+
*[[Bobby Greenberg|Robert Greenberg]] Educator
Mariana Gaston Educator
+
*[[Barbara Honig]] Los Angeles
Danny Glover Chair, TransAfrica Forum Board
+
*[[Ben Jones]] Artist, Professor Emeritus, Jersey City State University
Conner Gorry Cuba Libro
+
*[[Valerie Landau]]
Robert Greenberg Educator
+
*[[Walter Lippmann]] [[CubaNews]]
Barbara Honig Los Angeles
+
*[[Iraida Lopez|Iraida H. Lopez]], Ph.D. Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ben Jones Artist, Professor Emeritus, Jersey City State University
+
*[[Sheryl Lutjens]] Professor of Women’s Studies, College of Humanities, Arts, Sciences, Social And Behavioral Sciences, California State University San Marcos
Valerie Landau
+
*[[Felix Masud]] History Department, DePaul University
Walter Lippmann CubaNews
+
*[[Bill Montross]] [[National Lawyers Guild]]
Iraida H. López, Ph.D. Ramapo College of New Jersey
+
*[[Peter Orris]], MD, MPH Professor and Chief of Service, Occupational and Environmental Medicine University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System
Sheryl Lutjens Professor of Women’s Studies, College of Humanities, Arts, Sciences,
+
*[[Lisandro Perez]] Professor and Chair, Department of Latin American and Latina/o Studies, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York
Social
+
*[[Louis Perez|Louis A. Perez]] J. Carlyle Sitterson Professor History/Director/Institute for the Study of the Americas University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
And Behavioral Sciences, California State University San Marcos
+
*[[Jose Pertierra]] Attorney
Félix Masud History Department, DePaul University
+
*[[Vanessa Ramos]] [[Asociacion Americana deJuristas]] (AAJ)
Bill Montross National Lawyers Guild
+
*Dr. [[Harold Rogers]] Chair, Afro American Studies, [[City College of Chicago]]
Peter Orris, MD, MPH Professor and Chief of Service, Occupational and Environmental
+
*[[Nelson Valdes]] Professor, [[University of New Mexico]]
Medicine
+
*[[Cynthia Vidaurri|Cynthia l. Vidaurri]] Scholar
University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System
+
*[[Karen Wald|Karen Lee Wald Writer]]<ref>[https://globalexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RESPECT-Principles-and-Members.pdf]</ref>
Lisandro Pérez Professor and Chair, Department of Latin American and Latina/o
+
 
Studies,
+
==References==
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York
+
 
Louis A. Perez J. Carlyle Sitterson Professor History / Director/Institute for the Study of
+
[[Category: RESPECT]]
the
 
Americas University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 
José Pertierra Attorney
 
Vanessa Ramos Asociación Americana de Juristas (AAJ)
 
Dr. Harold Rogers Chair, Afro American Studies, City College of Chicago
 
Nelson Valdes Professor, University of New Mexico
 
Cynthia l. Vidaurri Scholar
 
Karen Lee Wald Writer
 
*Organizations listed for identification purposes only
 

Latest revision as of 03:02, 1 February 2024

RESPECT: Responsible & Ethical Cuba Travel.

Background 'Cuba: Reportback from Havana'

Cuba: Reportback from Havana conference on travel and Trump policies by Janet Jenkins Tucker and Harry Targ

The CCDS Socialist Education Project 4th Monday Monthly Discussion Monday, November 27, 2017.
Sonic attacks. Hurricanes. Diplomat expulsions. Danger warnings to U.S. citizens. New Trump administration restrictions on people-to-people travel.
What are the facts and how do we respond? How do we promote travel to Cuba that is responsible and ethical?
These were the questions that framed a 2-day conference in Havana in September for the founding of a new travel association called RESPECT - Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel. The conference was under way when the Trump administration announced it would impose new travel restrictions and warned U.S. citizens not to travel to Cuba.
You are invited to a discussion with three veteran friends of Cuba that attended the Havana RESPECT conference:

Mission Statement

RESPECT (Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel) is a U.S. professional association uniting nonprofit entities, travel agents, tour operators and other travel service providers dedicated to practicing and promoting ethical and socially responsible travel to Cuba.

Principles Members of the Association agree to uphold the following principles in organizing travel to Cuba:

1. We understand that the opportunity to visit Cuba is a step towards promoting mutual understanding and learning, through firsthand respectful exchanges, contributing to more informed, pro-active and responsible global citizenship on the part of all concerned.

2. We frame our Principles in the context of the internationally agreed-upon UN Sustainable Development Goals and respect for Cuba’s path to sustainable development, as determined by Cubans themselves.

3. “First do no harm” – the cornerstone of medical ethics worldwide – is fundamental to the principles that guide our organizations and those who travel to Cuba with us, respecting historical sites and natural areas and leaving them as we find them without disturbing their peace and sanctity.

4. We encourage our travelers – before they travel – to learn about Cuba and its history from a variety of sources, including Cuban sources.

5. We are committed to transparency in our relations with all Cuban entities and people, accurately and honestly representing ourselves and our intentions.

6. We affirm our commitment to respect all Cubans, without regard to skin color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, political persuasion, abilities or economic status.

7. We are committed to upholding non-exploitative relationships with Cuban entities and people, and respect for policies and laws enacted to prevent discrimination and exploitation of all kinds.

8. We promote healthy and respectful travel to Cuba and vehemently oppose “sex tourism” and associated businesses in any form, all of these prohibited by Cuban law.

9. We are committed to support Cuba’s efforts to confront climate change and protect the environment, actively contributing to conservation of energy and water resources, as well as protection of urban and rural landscapes, flora, fauna, beaches and marine life.

10. We will respect the authenticity of Cuban culture, its heritage, multiple roots and manifestations, as well as the cultural contributions of the Cuban people to world culture.

We will consciously help to care for and maintain the country’s UNESCOidentified World Heritage Sites and other monuments and sites that constitute part of Cuba’s cultural patrimony.

11. We will abide by Cuban laws and regulations pertinent to our travel, including but not limited to immigration and customs regulations.

12. We are committed to protecting the health of our travelers and the Cuban people, by doing our part to keep infectious diseases and prohibited drugs from entering Cuba.

13. We encourage travelers to purchase products made in Cuba particularly from those who contribute to local development efforts, giving back to their communities.

14. We uphold the rights of travelers and their hosts in Cuba to be treated with respect and dignity, and commit ourselves to addressing issues of concern in this area through established mechanisms between the Association and its Cuban counterparts, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and joint reflection.

15. We believe all US citizens and residents have the right to travel to Cuba, and advocate lifting all US governmental travel restrictions to the island.

16. As an Association, we encourage our members’ efforts to supportm travel to Cuba by people of modest means, making the island a destination for the many, not just thefew.

17. The Association supports Cuba’s contribution to the Caribbean as a zone of peace, and as a safe and peaceful destination for all travelers.[3]

RESPECT Coordinators

Founding members

Individual sponsors

References