Fernando Nistal, CEO of CEU CEFAS, had the opportunity to speak at the 11th Meeting of the “Itinerary of Thought and Proposals for the Future of Cuba”, organized by the Center for Coexistence Studies (CEC-Cuba). He shared his insights and proposals on the culture of life, addressing abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty, in the context of a possible transition to democracy in Cuba.

The meeting took place on the 7^th and 8^th of March at Florida International University (FIU). It brought together over 60 experts and analysts from Mexico, the United States, Cuba (both the island and the diaspora), and Spain.

Professor Nistal highlighted that, “As Cuba undergoes institutional transformation and civic development, it could create a legal framework centered on the intrinsic dignity of every person. This would serve as the foundation of the new constitutional order”.  At the same time, the CEO of CEU CEFAS emphasized that “The culture of life must recognize the value of every human being, from conception to natural death. This recognition should be both legal and social. It should include policies to protect motherhood, support the family as a central pillar of society, and ensure comprehensive palliative care for terminally ill patients”.

On the first day, two keynote lectures introduced the topic Dr. Antonio Manuel Padovani, presented “When those who should protect, kill”, and Catholic priest Fr. Jorge L. Pérez Soto, titled as “Putting the Human Being Back at the Center: The Culture of Life in a New Cuba”. The second day focused on “The Size, Roles, and Interaction Between Civil Society and the State in the Future of Cuba”. Remarkable contributions came from political science experts Daniel Pedreira (FIU) and Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Arechavaleta (Universidad Iberoamericana de México).

The Center for Coexistence Studies (CEC), heir to and successor of the former Center for Civic and Religious Training in Cuba, has been working continuously for over 11 years under the leadership of Dagoberto Valdés. During this time, the CEC has produced 19 research reports aimed at creating and promoting ideas and solutions for a free a democratic Cuba.