The Group Of 78/Le Groupe Des 78

### Context Profile for The Group Of 78/Le Groupe Des 78

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
The Group of 78 is a Canadian nonprofit organization focused on promoting international cooperation and sustainable development. Their mission centers around addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change through informed policy discussions and advocacy. They aim to engage policymakers, academics, and civil society in dialogues that lead to actionable solutions, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.

#### 2. Type of Activities
- **Annual Policy Conference**: The organization hosts an annual conference that addresses pressing global issues, such as redefining development in the context of geopolitical instability and technological advancements. The most recent conference focused on harnessing AI and innovative finance to achieve the SDGs.
- **Workshops and Discussions**: They facilitate discussions and workshops that bring together experts and stakeholders to explore solutions to global challenges.
- **Publications and Reports**: The Group of 78 produces reports and publications that provide insights and recommendations based on their conferences and discussions.
- **Advocacy Campaigns**: They engage in advocacy efforts to influence policy and promote international cooperation.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by The Group of 78 is **professional, informative, and engaging**. Their communications are characterized by:
- A formal yet accessible style, making complex topics understandable to a broader audience.
- An inspiring tone that encourages action and collaboration among stakeholders.
- A sense of urgency regarding global issues, reflecting the critical nature of the challenges they address.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications. Their content maintains a formal and professional tone, which aligns with their focus on serious global issues.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Information**: The Group of 78 was established in 1978, focusing on international development and cooperation.
- **Scale**: They have conducted 57 total forms and sent out 200 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their audience.
- **Impact Metrics**: While specific impact metrics are not detailed on the website, their focus on the SDGs suggests a commitment to measurable outcomes in international development.
- **Volunteer Information**: The website does not explicitly mention volunteer opportunities, but they likely engage with a network of professionals and academics in their initiatives.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Precision**: Use clear and precise language to convey complex ideas simply.
- **Engagement**: Address the audience directly, using inclusive language that invites participation and collaboration.
- **Professionalism**: Maintain a formal tone, avoiding slang or overly casual expressions.
- **Call to Action**: Encourage readers to engage with the content, whether by attending events, reading publications, or participating in discussions.
- **Consistency**: Ensure that the messaging aligns with the organization’s mission and values, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for creating personalized content that resonates with The Group of 78's audience and aligns with their mission and values.

LXCL:Though tickets to the webinar are free, The Group of 78 incurs expenses to run webinars such as this one. We request a donation $10; donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt. Please note: Zeffy requests a donation for their platform. If you don't wish to donate to Zeffy, choose Other and then type 0 in the amount section

General Admission

Cuba is facing a crisis that has been exacerbated by the US embargo on Cuban oil imports in the wake of its intervention in Venezuela. The crisis is geopolitical and threatens a humanitarian disaster in Cuba. The webinar will explore ways to avert disaster and de-escalate geopolitical tensions, including roles that Canada can play along with Mexico and others. The webinar will feature experts on Cuban society, politics and economy. Speakers:Ron Berezan&nbsp;Over the past 18 years, Ron Berezan has led 28 groups of Canadian farmers, students, and food security advocates on agricultural tours to Cuba. He most recently returned from Cuba on February 18 of this year. Ron works closely with several Cuban state and nongovernmental organizations, facilitating the agroecology, permaculture and urban agriculture movements throughout the country. He is currently raising funds to assist Cuban small farmers in developing solar energy systems to ensure on-farm energy security and farm resilience. Ron is a cofounder of Blueberry Commons Farm and Housing Cooperative in Powell River, BC where he manages a diverse organic farm. For the past 25 years Ron has led diverse educational and community-based food security projects throughout Canada in urban and rural areas and with First Nations (see www.theurbanfarmer.ca) In his spare time, Ron plays with fire while making biochar and does his best not to get lost on long forest trails. Dr. John Kirk is Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University. &nbsp;He is the author/coeditor of several books on Cuba and has published on Cuban foreign policy (including two books on Canada-Cuba relations), political history, religion, and medical internationalism. &nbsp;The most recent are: Contemporary Cuba: The Post-Castro Era (2023) and Healthcare without Borders: Understanding Cuban Medical Internationalism (2015). &nbsp;He has been traveling to Cuba since 1976, most recently in April 2025. &nbsp;He has worked as a consultant for Canadian and European firms that invest in, and export to, Cuba. In 1994 and 1996 he accompanied the Nova Scotia premier as interpreter/counsellor for meetings with Fidel Castro and members of his Cabinet. &nbsp; He has also worked as a consultant for the Swiss and British governments, analyzing development issues in Cuba. &nbsp;For many years he was the editor of the University of Florida series on Cuba, and currently is the co-editor of the Bloomsbury series on Cuba.&nbsp; Moderator: Laura Macdonald is a Chancellor&rsquo;s Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Institute of Political Economy at Carleton University. She has published numerous articles in journals and edited collections on such issues as the role of non-governmental organizations in development, global civil society, social policies and citizenship struggles in Latin America, Canadian development assistance, Canada-Latin American relations and the political impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Her recent work looks at transnational activism in North America around labour rights, migration, and human rights in Mexico, and labour reform in Mexico. She is the current president of the Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS). Register to add your voice and help shape informed, realistic options for Canadian policy.

<span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our upcoming event, The Cuba emergency: What should Canada do?. Your commitment to exploring solutions for global challenges is truly inspiring, and it means a lot to us! At The Group of 78, we&#39;re dedicated to promoting international cooperation and sustainable development through meaningful dialogue and informed policy discussions. Together, we&#39;re one step closer to shaping a better, more equitable world. Please join us on Wednesday, March 4 at 1 PM ET at the link provided below:&nbsp;https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83842341619?pwd=aQR3PxqzPI1qCS1CCG5zKDPaT9yVCS.1 Warm regards, The Group of 78 Team

Cuba is facing a crisis that has been exacerbated by the US embargo on Cuban oil imports in the wake of its intervention in Venezuela. The crisis is geopolitical and threatens a humanitarian disaster in Cuba. The webinar will explore ways to avert disaster and de-escalate geopolitical tensions, including roles that Canada can play along with Mexico and others. The webinar will feature experts on Cuban society, politics and economy. Speakers:Ron Berezan Over the past 18 years, Ron Berezan has led 28 groups of Canadian farmers, students, and food security advocates on agricultural tours to Cuba. He most recently returned from Cuba on February 18 of this year. Ron works closely with several Cuban state and nongovernmental organizations, facilitating the agroecology, permaculture and urban agriculture movements throughout the country. He is currently raising funds to assist Cuban small farmers in developing solar energy systems to ensure on-farm energy security and farm resilience. Ron is a cofounder of Blueberry Commons Farm and Housing Cooperative in Powell River, BC where he manages a diverse organic farm. For the past 25 years Ron has led diverse educational and community-based food security projects throughout Canada in urban and rural areas and with First Nations (see www.theurbanfarmer.ca) In his spare time, Ron plays with fire while making biochar and does his best not to get lost on long forest trails. Dr. John Kirk is Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University.  He is the author/coeditor of several books on Cuba and has published on Cuban foreign policy (including two books on Canada-Cuba relations), political history, religion, and medical internationalism.  The most recent are: Contemporary Cuba: The Post-Castro Era (2023) and Healthcare without Borders: Understanding Cuban Medical Internationalism (2015).  He has been traveling to Cuba since 1976, most recently in April 2025.  He has worked as a consultant for Canadian and European firms that invest in, and export to, Cuba. In 1994 and 1996 he accompanied the Nova Scotia premier as interpreter/counsellor for meetings with Fidel Castro and members of his Cabinet.   He has also worked as a consultant for the Swiss and British governments, analyzing development issues in Cuba.  For many years he was the editor of the University of Florida series on Cuba, and currently is the co-editor of the Bloomsbury series on Cuba.  Moderator: Laura Macdonald is a Chancellor’s Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Institute of Political Economy at Carleton University. She has published numerous articles in journals and edited collections on such issues as the role of non-governmental organizations in development, global civil society, social policies and citizenship struggles in Latin America, Canadian development assistance, Canada-Latin American relations and the political impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Her recent work looks at transnational activism in North America around labour rights, migration, and human rights in Mexico, and labour reform in Mexico. She is the current president of the Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS). Register to add your voice and help shape informed, realistic options for Canadian policy.

The Group Of 78/Le Groupe Des 78

The Cuba emergency: What should Canada do?

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