Cuba has been reforming, or been at the brink of a reform period, perhaps since the Revolution. With an aging leadership and now decades-long economic struggles, the pace of change, however, has finally accelerated. Today, Cubans can open small businesses, travel abroad, access the Internet, and purchase cell phones, microwaves, and (very expensive) new cars.

In spite of its size, the Cuban model has been an inspiration—from both a positive and negative perspective—for social movements, political leaders, and cultural expressionists around the world. This conference will examine Cuba’s internal reforms and their external influences within an explicit comparative framework. The conference will include a diverse group of scholars from several world regions to explore the reform away from communism. The conference is also interdisciplinary and will cover themes spanning the humanities to the social sciences.

Keynote Address: Carmelo Mesa-Lago (Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Economics and Latin American Studies)