Developing Youth for a Socialist Society: The Role of the José Martí Pioneer Organization in Cuba

• In Event: Education for Societal and Holistic Transformation: Alternatives for a Just Future

Abstract

Since 1959 Cubans have been engaged in transforming their society guided by revolutionary socialist ideas of Karl Marx, José Martí, and Fidel Castro. In recent years, Cubans – after extensive popular discussion – adopted a new constitution in 2019 and approved by referendum a Families Code (e.g., recognizing the rights to marriage to gay, lesbian, straight, and transexuals) in 2022. Moreover, particularly since the early 1990s, Cuba has undertaken major efforts to address climate change, including the implementation of its 100-year plan, “Life Task,” launched in 2017.
The question arises how Cuba seeks to educate and socialize Cubans to understand and participate in the construction of their alternative, socialist society. Certainly, the formal education system – provided for free from preschool through university – plays an important role. So do the nonformal education programs offered by the mass organizations (e.g., of workers and women). Television and radio programing also contributes. However, one nonformal or extracurricular programs that is particularly noteworthy – and will be the focus of this presentation – is the José Martí Pioneer Organization.

Author

• Mark B. Ginsburg, University of Maryland