BPW's Sub RegionalConference of the Caribbean held in Cuba
Maria Longobardi,Annie Multon and Marian Polack with the triplets that BPW GrandCayman has supported since birth.
The Business & Professional Women International(BPW) held their Conference in Cuba from April 8 to 11, 2002.From reports received, the conference was a huge success withmembers attending from all over the world including Australia,Switzerland, Mexico, St. Kitts, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Haiti, Barbadosand of course Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. The conference hadbeen organised by the Cayman Islands BPW Club.
Grand Caymanand Cayman Brac with International President, Dr. Pat Harrison;International Vice President, Dr. Antoinette Ruegg, and membersof the Cuban panel.
On Tuesday, April 9 the group visited theConvention Centre in Hotel Palco where a panel of Cuban professionalwomen from Government and Parliament addressed them and gave theman opportunity to ask questions. This experience proved to beenlightening, as most persons did not know how the Cuban systemoperated. Following the meeting, the Cuban women speakers wereinvited back to the Hotel El Bosque for lunch to speak to Dr.Pat Harrison and Dr. Antoinette Ruegg, the International Presidentand International Vice President respectively. Another meetingwas arranged on Wednesday afternoon at the Cuban Women's Federationto discuss ways to bring the Federation into BPW Internationalbut keeping within the Cuban Government's guidelines.
On Wednesday night April 10, a CelebrationDinner took place and BPW Cayman was presented with gifts fromparticipating countries and everyone in turn received a gift fromBPW Cayman Islands an ebony carving made by a Cuban artist.
Every evening's entertainment was plannedand on the last night, the group visited the Gran Teatro, a veryold but beautiful theatre about 200 years old, where one can seean excellent show every night (opera, ballet, musical comedy)with first class musicians and entertainers.
The four days ended with a bus trip to Viñalesin Eastern Cuba, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone whowent. The Conference ended with a meeting called to discuss theofficial formation of the Sub Region of the Caribbean, which wouldinclude the countries of Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
The BPW Jamaica contingent threw a partyat the end of the conference with food and drinks from Jamaicaand also invited the Jamaican Charge d'Affaires of Cuba, Sir LloydWilks, who addressed the gathering.
The BPW from the Cayman Islands receivedcompliments from the other participating member clubs for a verywell organised conference.