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Speaker: Maykel Perez Title: "Cuba and Information" Location: A424 (Old Number), College Building Date: Wednesday 7th November 2007 Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm Abstract: It is widely believed that information systems and technologies can function as engines for political and social change in authoritarian societies. This politicised version of technological determinism has almost gained ontological status of common sense although little evidence has been provided in support of such claims by academic disciplines. As one of the last communist countries in the world, Cuba offers a very interesting scenario to study how different societies actively adopt alternative appropriation models of information systems and technologies in such a way that, rather than undermining social structure, help re-produce the political system. The seminar concentrates in outlining the main characteristics of the Cuban model of information production, transfer, and consumption that shapes and informs national information policies and strategies. The emphasis is placed in the conceptual frameworks, discourses, metaphors, and representations that underpin and legitimise information policies. The aim is to illustrate how ruling groups in Cuba proactively work through discourse the appropriation and use of information systems to promote their own interests and priorities. The role of the symbolic universe surrounding technologies in shaping how Cubans make sense of information systems, and what they can and should be used for is also highlighted. Directions to the College Building, City University http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/contacts/soi-location.html ----------------------------------------------------------- ! Dr. A. MacFarlane, Senior Lecturer, Room A525, ! ! Centre for Interactive Systems Research ! ! Dept. Of Information Science, City University London ! ! Northampton Square, LONDON EC1V 0HB ! ! Tel:+44 (0)20 7040 8386 Fax:+44 (0)20 7040 8584 ! ! URL: http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~andym/ ! ! Blog: http://unix-spiders.blogspot.com/ ! -----------------------------------------------------------