Vila Real de Santo António Mayor, Luís Gomes (pictured), participated in the 3rd International Conference For World Balance, which took place at the Palace of Conventions in Havana, Cuba last week.
The event was organised by the Martí Programme Institute and Centre for Martí Studies, whose mission is to coordinate events that are intended to honour the Cuban poet, philosopher and politician José Martí, born 160 years ago.
On the guest list were prominent political figures from around 40 countries including former president of Brazil, Lula da Silva, the Brazilian theologian Frei Betto, Nobel Peace Prize winner Argentinian Adolfo Perez Esquivel, and the former general director of UNESCO, Federico Mayor Zaragoza.
Mayor Luís Gomes, on behalf of the municipality, spoke about solidarity and social policies.
The participation of the Vila Real de Santo António municipality in the conference follows the multiple agreements with the Republic of Cuba in several areas, including culture, education, sports, health, community development and urban regeneration.
The event sums up the protocol established by the twinning with the town of Playa in 2006 and subsequent establishment of cooperation agreements with health services in Cuba, which aim to ensure improved quality of life to Vila Real de Santo António citizens.
To strengthen ties with this country, Vila Real de Santo António has annually organised an event related to Cuban culture that integrates exhibitions, films and conferences.
