[NYTr] Education a Target of ALBA Trade Initiative

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Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN)
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Education a Target of Regional Integration Initiative

Havana, August 2 (acn)The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas
(ALBA) favors new proposals aimed at having education at the center of
regional integration efforts in Latin America, said Venezuela's
Education Minister Adan Chavez.

Chavez spoke on Wednesday at a forum held in the framework of the 6th
Social Summit for Latin American and Caribbean Unity, underway in
Caracas.

The Venezuelan government official said that thanks to the agreements
signed by his country, Cuba, Nicaragua and Bolivia, significant
advancement has been made in the field of education.

He referred to an accord signed by Cuba and Venezuela which made it
possible for over 1,5 million Venezuelans to learn how to read and
write in less than a year by means of a Cuban teaching methodology
known as "Yes, I Can."

Chavez pointed out that some 4,000 Venezuelan youths are currently
studying medicine in Cuba, while another 1,000 are taking
post-graduate courses in other specialties, in Havana.

The joint agreement signed by Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua
will allow thousands Bolivian and Nicaraguan citizens to learn how to
read and write, said Chavez and noted that Venezuela and Cuba are
currently boosting another 17 projects in education, the revision and
production of text books.

The Venezuelan Education Minister said that the ALBA paves the way for
the unity of nations and the elimination of inequalities.