For many people, the most striking symbol of partnership between Belize and Cuba is in the medical field. But NICH along with the Centro de Estudios Martianos (Martian Studies Center ) want to strengthen that partnership through research. Representatives from both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding to advance studies relating to Belize's and Cuba's shared history, art and culture. Here is more from the signing.
Sapnah Budrani, President of NICH
"The signing that we have here today is an important step towards research, getting the facts together in knowing the relationship between Cuba and Belize. We have many records here in Belize and in Cuba where it goes back to the 1700's of a relationship between Belize and Cuba. This is the starting point of ensuring that both parties can work together and share our resources to get the documents together."
"Going forward now that the MOU is signed is work ahead for us, for both parties. We want to share the knowledge that we have and both parties are committed to share what we have in our archives and send our resources and do an exchange for some of our Belizean researchers to go to Cuba and likewise with Cuba exchanging their researchers to here."
Lissette Perez Perez, Ambassador, Republic of Cuba in Belize
"During all these years, the relationship between Cuba and Belize has been characterized by mutual respect, sustained cooperation, the seeds of cultural cooperation has taken root and there exists the potential for further collaboration. The history of Belizean houses of culture, Belizean film festival and other events in this area have a strong linkage to Cuba. There are many opportunities, with Cuba's willingness to continue to strengthen relations with Belize."
Minister of Education Patrick Faber has visited Cuba and a representative from the Martian Studies Center, Pedro Pablo Rodriguez has been in Belize for a week visiting various sites to further solidify this collaboration. It took over 2 years of planning to get to today's signing. The project lasts for 4 years and the team plans on publishing the findings of their research.
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