Identity, Diversity and Activism Cuba
In July Professors Norma Rita Guillard Limonta and Rosaida Ochoa Soto ran a 3 day programme with young people to look at issues of Identity, diversity and activism in Havana, Cuba.
There were 15 primary and secondary school girls and medical specialists, psychologists, specialists in sociocultural studies, social activists, doctors/students from the Congo, and entrepreneurs.
At the outset, to create a safe space for discussion the participants were asked to set ground rules for the course and express their expectations.
They requested to learn more about:
- Learn coping mechanisms about racism.
- Challenges of cultural expressions that they have to face.
- Know the actions that can be taken to combat racism.
- Delve into the history of racism.
- Increase knowledge about racial roots.
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- Desire to form a network that empowers and spreads the activities and the program.
Over the course of the 3 days they discussed some of the challenges they face personally and in their community. They studied examples of activism and students were encouraged to think of how they might mobilise their own communities. Below are some of the ideas which will they will work on.
- In the education of children where violence does not mediate. Focus on SAYING NO TO Child Abuse.
- Combating Drug Addiction in adolescence and any age in his community.
- Work to empower the women of her community in the development of craft skills that allow her to develop entrepreneurship as a source of livelihood, development of self-esteem and personal independence.
- Develop an activism focused on Afro-descendant culture and identity both nationally and internationally.
- Develop knowledge of sexual orientation since there is a lot of discrimination and little knowledge about it.
- Maintaining African culture and traditions.
- Cultural Education also teaching the history of roots and traditions.
- Focus on self-esteem and self-care aspects aimed at improving health
- Raise awareness of reproductive health in adolescents.
- Creating a culture of Environmental Health in childhood stages in order to care for the environment from an early age.
The course leaders told us “We learned as much from the young people as they learned from us. They are all inspiring and we will be following their progress with enthusiasm!”
Steve Sinnott • October 15, 2022
Mike Fleetham of Thinking Classroom has written a book " Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders ". A collection of original ideas, advice from professionals, quotes, and tips to support and inspire all leaders. Perfect for new and established leaders working in education, especially headteachers. "Being a headteacher is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an aeroplane." To Enter the Competition To win a copy of Headlines please share your inspiring education or life lesson in no more than 600 words. The winning article will also be published in our next edition of Engage. Send your words of inspiration to admin@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk ๐
Deadline: 5th September 2025โ Stuck on Ideas? Here are some questions and prompts to get you started! What’s the one lesson school didn’t teach you, but life did? Think of a moment that changed your path, what happened? What piece of advice has helped you grow the most? When did a challenge turn into an opportunity for you? What story from your life would inspire someone on the other side of the world? What’s the life lesson that unlocked your next chapter? โ Your words could uplift, empower and be seen by many. Let your story inspire the world! ๐๐กโ Good luck and we cant wait to read all the entries!
This week our CEO Ann and Jude (SSF Ambassador) visited schools in Coventry and heard about the wonderful work that students are doing to foster peace and community connection, as part of Coventry Arts Week. We visited Lyng Hall school in the morning and met with Ms Hagan and four of the schools UNESCO ASPnet ambassadors. They told us all about their recent project. The students took their art and poetry to the 80th Anniversary symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk. They shared with us some of the poetry they had written together with the students on the field trip and some of their own poems too. They also shared their future plans for working with their local primary school on peace and community. We also had the privilege of joining Ms Hagans class where they were looking at Caliban’s tale. Here is one of the students work
For my birthday this year I had the honour to walk 60 miles (yes it was a big 0 birthday) over 3 days to support the essential work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation of which I am CEO. Education in its many forms is essential for all of us to thrive and make the most of life's opportunities. The Foundation works to ensure that as many children and adults as possible across the globe can access the human right of education. The plan was to walk with friends and supporters who I hoped would keep me smiling along the way and it felt like a good way to make use of the Foundation’s “Get Moving” campaign. Here's how my Get Moving Fundraiser went on the first day. The 13th June I started my walk in London by walking from Barnet to west Hampstead and visiting my sister at her shop at Tree of Life where I got served a nice iced coffee to keep me going.
