Children and youth at the heart of the country's life

It might seem to be just a metaphor aimed at proselytizing a political cause, but it is not.

Today, on a new anniversary of the foundations of the former Union of Pioneers of Cuba (UPC) and the Young Communist League (UJC by its Spanish acronym), it is evident and very verifiable that childhood and the youngest adults of the Homeland continue to be at the core of life.
This is how they have always been seen in the most decisive and revolutionary stages of Cuba's history. Studying or working.

We remember that their anniversaries, with a year of difference, were dated April 4, 1961, for the first one; and 1962, in the case of the second one. They occurred in turbulent times of much-needed changes and foundations after the victory of the January 1st.

The initial Union of Pioneers of Cuba, later Jose Marti Pioneers Organization, soon earned the recognition of being one of the most symbolic and transcendent within the long road of conquests promoted by the Cuban Revolution, and like almost all those born at that time, it was defiant of taboos, just and audacious, qualities that come in handy for Cubans.

The UPC was essentially dedicated to fostering a love for knowledge and promoting ethical and root values among the country's children and adolescents, enriching them in the broadest sense, including what is usually considered the forging of a patriotic conscience.

It was in 1977 when it was given the name of Jose Marti Pioneers Organization (OPJM), and it is with that unbeatable appellation that it is maintained in present days, fulfilling multiple objectives and corresponding to the new times.

But as it has already been said, there is a work aimed at safeguarding the foundations, aimed at the integral development of the personality of the Pinos Nuevos, as conceived by its sponsor, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, who in turn paid homage to the Apostle of Cuba.

All the work aimed at fostering the intelligence and full development of personalities, at the core of the Cuban educational system and the work of families, has had the support of the Pioneers' Organization, as an extension of a general work that could be called choral.

And this was possible because from the first moment Fidel thought that it was not enough that the revolutionary process had accomplished the "miracle", according to his own words, of achieving that all Cuban children had access to education and classrooms, no matter how humble they were.

It has not been at all easy to undertake such a political and cultural work under siege and aggression, including terrorist acts, and a criminal blockade imposed on Cuba by the U.S. administration.

There is a wealth of inclusive results of material and qualitative achievements, and both children and young Cubans today, do not look undeserving next to other children in the world, despite the rigors of life. On the contrary, they continue to be educated without fail and attend international sports and knowledge events all over the world, with very good results.

From the very beginning, we have been working with the little ones in a combination of educational methods and attractive methods of attraction that respond to their interests and energy.

On the other hand, no less significant has been the work of the Young Communist League, which has often been justly considered the natural breeding ground of the Communist Party of Cuba.

The also briefly called UJC, in its beginnings united several very revolutionary and principled youth forces engaged from the roots in the refoundation of the new society promoted by the Revolution.

They were inspired by Julio Antonio Mella, Ruben Martinez Villena, Jose Antonio Echeverria, Lidia and Clodomira, the Centennial Generation and outstanding young mambises like Ignacio Agramonte, the Maceos in times of 1968 and so many Cubans in the prime of life, immortal fighters.

Many enormous tasks, from the defense of the nation's sovereignty, the program of the socialist society to the full exercise of social justice have been accomplished with the contribution of UJC militants.

Also productive, economic, educational and scientific works, along with others that have made their compatriots proud.

Today, Cuban adolescents and young people, like everyone else on the planet, are naturally interested in the world of opportunities that means their active participation in social networks, a tempting terrain, developmental and not free of dangers and risks that seduce many.

One of the current interests of the UJC is to give young people the tools so that they can enter their own premises by their own decision if they have that facility, but endowed with knowledge and a clear conscience. Nothing should be obtained with the imposition of anyone, but with discernment, ethical cleanliness and respect for the rules of coexistence, legality and order of the country.

These days the final details of a meeting of great importance are being put in place, which is summarized as the 12th Congress, for which its leaders and a good part of its membership have been preparing with the laboriousness of ants.

The issue is to make the work of youth militancy more viable and influential in the battle that Cubans are waging nowadays for the development and continuity of our social justice programs. With or without the blockade, the goal is to achieve it.

In the midst of severe difficulties and so many siren songs and projects of the enemy, this endeavor is a challenge, but it has not stopped the march of the organization.

Let us await news, then, with optimism, of the work and new plans of the Cuban youth universe.