CAMAGÜEY.- History confirms that “great tasks can be placed on the shoulders of the youth”. This Fidel’s maxim continues to be upheld by young people like Laura Marian Bacallao Padrón, a candidate for deputy in the Cuban parliament. At only 22 years old, the enthusiastic journalism student speaks of her commitment to her new challenges.
“We really see that in this candidacy there is an essential number of young people. That means that the country trusts us, that it needs us and listens to us. It is a challenge of much learning and sensitivity. I really feel engaged because in how many countries, can a student make up the Parliament?
Laura is also the president of the University Student Federation (FEU) at the University of Camagüey Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz: "The greatest responsibility as a candidate for deputy is to represent not only university students, but also young women, people from the neighborhood, some vulnerable and with many needs. In Cuba there are many youths.
“That this process begins from the proposals of the mass organizations, with the participation of the FEU and the FEEM demonstrates the genuineness of our democracy. That is why it is worth perfecting it, hence why we say 'better is possible'.
“If we value everything that was worked on and progress was made in the Ninth Legislature, we understand how much remains to be done in the Tenth. A recent example that touches me closely as a Journalism student is working with the Law of Communication. It constitutes an intense mission, in which I hope to learn and win friendly hands that join in participating in this exercise that is our entire democracy”.
Photo: Taken from Radio Florida
Roberto Carrazana is also a candidate for deputy of the National Assembly of People's Power. The youth of Camagüey recognizes him for his career as a student leader since he was a teenager. Always running from one place to another, he tries to divide his time to attend to his obligations as president of the FEU at the Carlos J. Finlay University of Medical Sciences, and at the same time not to neglect his training as the country's future doctor.
“The political will of our nation is for the Cuban Parliament to become more and more like its people, taking into account the more than 19,000 proposals as a result of the consultation process with student, social and mass organizations. This is reflected in the fact that 20% of the candidacy is from young people, there is also the trust that is placed in us.
“The responsibility with the people is great. Being the only student of Medical Sciences that is within the candidacy, I represent that student body. In addition, I am committed to my organization, to that FEU that has been a school, has supported my training and has given me greater political maturity."
For Laura Mariam, the approach to the different communities with which she has exchanged as a candidate is important: “The tours I have taken have been decisive and not only because of the social function in which I am currently preparing myself. As a Cuban, it is important to know the different realities that we have in our towns. Guáimaro, the municipality for which I was a candidate, is a town so affectionate and full of history that one falls in love very quickly with its people and its environment. This approach has made me an adoptive daughter of this Camagüey’s land”.
Carrazana recognizes as “fundamental the route of the candidates to interact with the population, as part of the electoral schedule. Today we are candidates for Parliament thanks to the people. You feel that happiness and gratitude that we have when sharing with people and that they tell you that they trust you for this task”.
Laura Mariam and Carrazana continue to be happy young people, with dreams and aspirations typical of their age, but with greater responsibility. For them, the key is to listen to the people and be part of the alternatives and solutions in building the best and possible country that we all aspire to.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez