Europe-Cuba Forum Network

Common methodology and shared research between Cuban and European academic centres and institutions will promote the exchange of mutual experiences in structural reforms, regional integration, socioeconomic modernisation, and interregionalism. The Jean Monnet Network, inspired by the shared ideas of cooperation and integration, seeks to consolidate and strengthen this Europe-Cuba network of experts with a three-year work plan divided into three thematic blocks to be developed through joint and multidisciplinary research: 1) cooperation for economic reforms and sustainable development; 2) cooperation for institutional reform and social policies; 3) interregional cooperation and global insertion. Each of the blocks will have a symmetrical research structure, activities and deliverables, although the methodology and tasks of the research work will be adapted according to the subject of each block. First, a set of working papers will be prepared by specialists from the different institutions. These papers will be discussed at international seminars to be held in Havana, Hamburg and Barcelona, respectively, in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of the project. Three policy briefs for practitioners and decision-makers will be produced as a result of the research presented and the discussions at the seminar in each block. A book will be published on each of the scientific topics with chapters validated through peer review processes to ensure the highest quality research contribution is made to the scientific community.

In its first year the project addressed Cuba's economic reform agenda and the prospects of sustainable development. Based on a conference held in Havana and the publication of 10 working papers it identified crucial issues for EU-Cuban cooperation, such as the island's economic insertion into the international economy and global value chains, the potential role of public-private partnerships, or the competitiveness of Cuban tourism. In the second year, the project focused on institutional reform and social policies. While the conference planned to be held at the GIGA, Hamburg, in April 2020, had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, its contributions were published in a series of 14 working papers, again identifying crucial issues for the island's development and potential EU-Cuban cooperation.