Global Exchange Reality Tours has been asked by Eco Cuba Network [2] of the Green Cities Fund [3] and other environmental organizations to arrange travel to Cuba for U.S. environmental and sustainable development professionals, students and activists to meet with environmental scientists, engineers and policy makers involved in the biannual international conference and research tour in Cuba on Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, hosted in Cuba by the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA) and supported internationally by the United Nations Environmental Program.
This Cuba research tour includes portions of the
IX International Conference on the Environment and Development [4]
July 8 – 12, 2013
Palace of Conventions, Havana, CUBA
Global Exchange organized and arranged travel for the first US delegation to attend the CITMA Conference in July 2001, and since then, has taken a US delegation to Cuba during each successive biannual CITMA conference.
As the largest island in the Caribbean, with the highest number of environmental scientists and engineers, the most evolved environmental policy and practice, and the largest number of Biosphere Reserves, Cuba is uniquely positioned to lead the way in terms of enlightened environmental policy and practice in our shared ecosystem.
For more information on the conference in Cuba and conference schedule: CITMA Conference [4]. (To read the site in English click on the British flag in the upper right area of the home page.)
For more information on Eco Cuba Network [5].
For articles, blogs and videos on environmental protection and sustainable development in Cuba: Cuba Resources [6].
For programmatic and logistical information on this research tour, please contact Pamela Montanaro [7], Coordinator, Eco Cuba Network, 510-649-1052.
CITMA Conference participation
Sustainable development projects in Havana and rural Cuba
Urban gardens and farmers' markets in urban and rural Cuba
Environmental education NGOs
Foundation for Nature and Humanity
Las Terrazas intentional sustainable community in Pinar del Rio
Ecostation meeting in the Sierra Rosario Biosphere Reserve
CubaEnergía and Cuba Solar, renewable energy engineers and policy makers
Neighborhood and community associations responsible for sustainable development and environmental protection
Cultural activities
Evening meetings according to professional interest
Sample program
Round trip flight Cancun/Havana/Cancun
3 or 4 star hotel accommodations (double room; $300 for single room)
2 meals daily
Conference fee
Translation of scheduled program
Transportation to scheduled events
Scheduled program fees and speakers stipends
Cuban visa and required Cuban health insurance
Price does NOT include:
Airfare to/from Cancun from home city
Travel insurance (highly recommended!)
Optional evening cultural activities
Beverages, bottled water
Tips, gratuities to Cuban guides, waiters, hotel staff, etc.
Personal expenditures
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $500 two months before departure. Payments by Mastercard, Visa and Discover are welcome.
This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.