Cuba - Past, Present, And Future

June 10, 2016 - Reunions Seminar Greg Fairchild, E. Thayer Bigelow Research Associate Professor, Darden Graduate School of Business Louis Nelson, Associate Dean for Research and International Programs; Director of Program in Historic Preservation; Professor, Department of Architectural History Charlotte Rogers, Assistant Professor of Spanish, Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese Over a half a century ago, the United States imposed an embargo on Cuba and broke diplomatic relations. On December 17, 2014, President Obama announced a new chapter in U.S. and Cuba relations - the beginning of a normalization process between the United States and Cuba. A major step in this process was reached on July 20, 2015 with the re-opening of embassies in both countries. The U.S. government is attempting to foster increased travel access and people-to-people exchanges, encourage the development of telecommunications and the internet, and create opportunities for U.S. businesses to support the growth of Cuba’s nascent private sector. The University of Virginia’s knowledgeable experts will assemble to discuss Cuba’s past and present and share insights into its future.