Capitalism is heartless

Well known intellectuals from around the world denounce the ills brought on by neo-liberal ideas such as illiteracy, hunger and lack of culture.

Antonio Paneque Brizuela

Delegates, among them some well known intellectuals, attending the IV International Congress of Culture and Human Development criticized the spiritual ills of neo-liberal policies, among them illiteracy and ignorance; and called for the need to take steps to achieve a better world.

Among some of the delegates of the forum were Keith Ellis, Raúl Pérez Torres, a writer from Ecuador and Brazilian poet Thiago de Mello

The panelists in the forum In Defense of Humanity which included well known Mexican Sociologist Pablo González Casanova, and Víctor Flores, James Cockcroft from the US, Brazilian Thiago de Mello, Jamaican-Canadian Keith Ellis, Raúl Pérez Torres from Ecuador, Osvaldo Martínez from Cuba, and the Minister of Culture from Venezuela Francisco Sexto, agreed that the roots of the ills of society, such as poverty, disease, drugs, health and ignorance stem from neo-liberal policies and practices. 

Ellis and Cockcroft both denounced that these ills are consequences of the voracity of imperialism; imperial practices which has exploited vast regions of the planet leaving it barren.  

In the forum the Cuban delegate Osvaldo Martínez pointed out that many of the planets problems could be solved for example with the capital used by international companies in such frivolous area such as cosmetics.  He also pointed out the widening technological gap between nations;  giving an example of how the number of internet users in New York City outnumber the users in all of Africa.  

Ellis spoke about the consequences the US embargo on Cuba would have placed on the island and it's people if it were not for the cultural end educational preparation of the population; for only a well prepared people would have been able to confront a sinister war of aggression.  

Another delegate, De Mello criticized the perversity of a "cruel Empire", describing how it had severely damaged the ecological system of the Amazon - the place where he has resided for he last 27 years.  He urged that writers and poets prepare children and adolescents of today, by writing things which deal with their sensibilities; things that will assure the future of a humane society based on solidarity.  

llis describió las consecuencias que hubiera podido acarrear el bloqueo norteamericano contra Cuba de no haber sido porque su población ha estado preparada —entre otros aspectos— cultural y educacionalmente para enfrentarse a esa siniestra guerra económica. De Mello criticó "la perversidad de un imperio cruel", develó los daños al hombre en la Amazonia —donde reside hace 27 años— y propuso que escritores, educadores y poetas preparen a los niños y adolescentes de hoy, haciendo y escribiendo cosas "accesibles a su sensibilidad", para la futura construcción de "una sociedad humana solidaria".

According to Pérez Torres, "Without literacy, culture and justice, another, better world is not possible".  Cockcroft added that the imperialist invaders have robbed concepts of the people only to utilize them against the people of the invaded lands.  They have twisted definitions, such as "human rights" and "terrorism" to suit their needs.   

Flores Olea assured that "Contemporary society is reaching it's limits, is becoming ill", as the, "destructive character of capitalism is destroying all the order of life".  Olea called for the need to initiate "A new Socialist order" adding that the roads that lead to this objective must be followed.  

For González Casanova, Cuba is in the forefront of those countries which are making a transition to Socialism. 

The Minister of Culture from Venezuela Francisco Sexto, called for power to be shared, for power to be democratized, adding that, "Power can be shared.  And that the best power is knowledge".  He also characterized Socialism as, "as a more logical and sane system, a more just system, a system which is the only one possible for humanity to survive"      

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