"We want to promote participation from the U.S. and Canada," and are discussing opening membership to groups from those two countries, added Martínez, the president of OCLAE. The call for the gathering explains that the congress will be an opportunity to discuss how students are rejecting the policies that promote the "increased dependence and submission of our peoples." The conference "will be a contribution by the student movement to the struggle for an independent Puerto Rico," and the fight of its people to rid themselves of the U.S. military presence on the island of Vieques.

Following an opening plenary session, delegates will divide up into eight work commissions whose themes include "Another America is possible: strategy of the student movement in the face of neoliberalism;" "Culture as the peoples’ expression and a form of struggle;" "Gender and identity;" "Education in the era of trade pacts;" "Defense of the environment: a contribution to the future of humanity;" and others. Following a session that will be open to members of OCLAE only, the gathering will close with another plenary session. Students and youth organizations not currently affiliated will be able to speak and vote in the work commissions, noted the OCLAE president.  
 
Cuban youth leaders build congress
Martínez explained she had just returned from a 14-day tour that took her, Hassan Pérez, president of Cuba’s Federation of University Students (FEU), and Norge Jiménez, a member of FEU’s national secretariat, through five countries to help promote the congress. "It was a very successful trip. We visited countries that are key to the success of the congress. As a result, for instance, we can now expect at least 30 delegates from Chile," Martínez said. This is part of an effort to reintegrate Chilean university student groups into OCLAE, she explained.

Furthermore, during their stop in Brazil, the delegation met with political organizations, solidarity groups, and others in both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. They met with leaders of the National Students Union and the Brazilian Union of High School Students--both part of OCLAE’s secretariat--as well as with students and faculty at Sao Paulo State University, the state’s largest, to help finalize congress preparations. TV Globo network broadcast an interview with the Cuban student leaders, highlighting the role played by young people in addressing social problems facing Cuba today.

In Argentina the Cuban youth met with the Argentine University Federation and the Buenos Aires University Students Federation. "Given the crisis facing that country, it’s important to have the voice of Argentine youth present," Martínez pointed out.

The tour also included Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador. In all, some 1,500 delegates from 23 countries are expected to attend the event.

The congress schedule includes a visit by delegates to the 16th annual Guadalajara International Book Fair, which this year is honoring Cuba. "The University of Guadalajara plays a central role in the organization of the book fair," Martínez added. "We also have solid support from the local student federation and faculty for the upcoming congress."

Martínez urged everyone planning to participate in the meeting to register by the November 10 deadline. The registration fee is US$70.00. OCLAE can be contacted at oclae@jcce.org.cu, or through its affiliate in Guadalajara at feu@cencar.udg.mx. Those interested can also visit OCLAE’s web site through www.feuu.edu.uy, where the organization’s aims, the congress schedule, and other related materials can be obtained.  
 
 
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