BY MICHELLE TAN  
At least 70 people gathered for an open discussion with two Cuban youth leaders Wednesday at St. Cloud State University. Yanelis Martínez Herrera and Javier Dueñas Oquendo talked about "Youth in Cuba Today," and answered questions in the Brown Hall Auditorium as part of the Cuban Youth Tour, which began March 28. The two have spoken on campuses on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

"In the past 150 years of our people's struggle, youths have been the main actors," Oquendo said, speaking through volunteer translator Yuri Guerra. "Over four centuries of domination left a lot of poverty, up to the revolution. Youths have been involved in all the struggles to bring about change."

Youths' contributions include working in campaigns to eradicate illiteracy. "We're trying to find more equality and create a more integral culture of participation in society," Oquendo said. The event was sponsored by St. Cloud State's Student Coalition Against Racism. The tour was organized by the Chicago-based Cuban Youth Lectures Committee.

The tour's objective was not to sell the caricature of the Cuban revolution, but to engage in an exchange between U.S. and Cuban youths, Herrera said. Herrera, 22, is a fifth-year law student and member of the National Secretariat of the Federation of University Students. Oquendo, 28, teaches journalism at the University of Havana and is a member of the National Bureau of Union of Young Communists.

The pair talked about Cuba's efforts to share the services and skills of students and professionals, for example doctors, with other countries. "We're human bodies, trying to form more complete human beings," Herrera said. "To understand that it's better to save someone's life than make money out of a career."

Oquendo said a dollar value can't be attached to helping another person or nation. "Many resources are concentrated in countries that are most indifferent," he said. "To us, our country is humanity."

Holly Santiago, St. Cloud State sophomore and SCAR member, said the event was great. "I'm sure people took something away from the presentation that they probably wouldn't have gotten in any other situation," she said.

Organizers also promoted the "II Youth Meeting Cuba--the United States" meeting, from July 22-30 in Cuba. The gathering is being organized by various Cuban education groups and includes visits to Cuban universities and historical sites and a visit to the Latin-America Medicine School. For information on the event, send an e-mail to ujcri@ujc.org.cu.
 
 
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