The recent death of Bernie Dwyer, the Irish journalist and film-maker described as “the driving force” behind Ireland’s Cuba Solidarity Campaign, has led to much reflection on the influence of that Caribbean island on the rest of the world.
Dwyer, who died in Dublin in July, won many awards for her documentary films including The Day Diplomacy Died, Mission Against Terror and Che, The Irish Legacy. She first visited Cuba in 1988 as a member of an international work brigade and moved there permanently in 1998, working for Radio Havana and making her films. In recent years she devoted a great deal of her time campaigning for the Miami Five, imprisoned in the United States on espionage charges.
Although the mainland of Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, it is a small country, with a population less than three times that of Ireland. It lies only 90 miles from the United States, which for over 50 years has imposed a trade blockade on the country that many consider illegal – including the United Nations, which has condemned it almost unanimously for the last 21 years.
Despite a long history of US interference, Cuba has built health and education services for its people that are the envy of countries across the world. In fact Cuba has become a role model for the developing world, and also a shining example to some of the richest countries in the world. Health care in Cuba is free and of high quality, with life expectancy and infant mortality figures amongst the best in the world. All Cuban children attend school, and education is free for all citizens at all levels, including university.
Cuban medical specialists work the world over in developing countries and health emergencies, with more than 15,000 doctors in 66 countries. Some 4,000 more are expected to arrive in Brazil by the end of this year thanks to an agreement with the Pan-American Health Organisation signed by that country’s foreign minister.
Music, dance, art and sport are a central part of life in Cuba, a country that believes such activities have a role in building a better world. The success of the Buena Vista Social Club and the impressive collection of Olympic medals awarded to Cuba have attracted worldwide recognition and respect.
The bravery and solidarity of Cubans in helping to combat colonialism and oppression, including apartheid in South Africa, has been amazing. The independence of Namibia and ending of apartheid owe a great deal to the intervention of Cuba and would have at the very least been delayed had it not been for the Cuban presence in Angola and the famous battle victory of Cuito Cuanavale against South Africa.
Fidel Castro was at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President of South Africa and one of the first visits of the new president was to Cuba to thank the people for their solidarity. On 26 July 1991, Mandela and Castro spoke together at a rally of tens of thousands in Matanzas, where Mandela said that the role of Cuban international volunteers in defeating South Africa’s invasion of Angola was an “unparalleled contribution to African independence, freedom, and justice”.
Both Ireland and Cuba have a proud history of self-reliance and a strong commitment to co-operative development. Both have shown the world what small island communities can achieve through self-help to benefit their own people and the rest of the world.
Bernie Dwyer was an activist and internationalist in the best Irish tradition and devoted much of her life in helping to promote the achievements of the people of Cuba. She died of cancer in Dublin on 10 July, and long will she be missed.
Michael McGowan is a former MEP and president of the development committee of the European Parliament.
