AMERICA/CUBA - Support of the Church to train managers in small and medium enterprises and cooperatives

La Habana (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church has organized a course for the training of experts in small enterprises (PYMES) and cooperatives, already approved among the reforms expected by Cuban President Raul Castro. The goal is that 40 Cubans admitted to the university course, organized by the Cultural Center Father Félix Varela of the Archdiocese of La Habana and San Antonio Catholic University of Murcia, in Spain, acquire advanced skills and knowledge in the direction of businesses, with focus on small and medium enterprises and cooperatives. The professors will be Spanish and Cuban and the course will last from September 2011 to June 2012. The Catholic Church, which since May 2010, maintains an uncommon dialogue with the Government, continues therefore to be increasingly present in Cuban society. Among the most sensational results, was the release of 126 political prisoners (see Fides 03/05/2011). This process of approach started with the visit of John Paul II in 1998. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/25/2011)