In this time of economic crisis in Cuba, the Union of Young Communists (UJC) has increased their work with the youth of the country. The UJC has introduced a new scheme of youth community networks, which involves supporting those who are disconnected from work and education in a systematic way.
This network has been created after a series of discussions recognising that Cuban youth are targets of US propaganda and feel disconnected from the revolutionary process. It aimed to rejuvenate the UJC’s approach to grassroots organising based on the lessons of recent years.
While the scheme is still in its early stages progress has already been made by seven projects that have resulted in the assisting of vulnerable individuals, including more than 4,000 senior citizens; the integration of 9,000 young people into education or employment through job fairs; support for more than 2,000 pregnant women; and participation in recreational activities in neighbourhoods. This is done in conjunction with other organisations already present in Cuban society, such as the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution and the Committees in Defense of the Revolution (see FRFI 312).
Speaking to UJC representatives around the centenary of Fidel Castro’s life, they made the point that for the youth to feel most connected to the revolution they must follow Fidel’s footsteps and be in the community. This has a two-pronged approach. The first is the practical plans seen above already enacted that will be continued. The second is a process of education, a new collection of Fidel Castro’s work has been produced that will be distributed and studied among the youth.
The Youth Community Networks aim to be a revolutionary force in the community, to continue resisting US imperialism at a time it has never been more challenging. The UJC shows what is possible when the youth, the vital force of the socialist revolution, are organised as communists in response to a crisis.
