The inauguration of the PROFOR project took place on March 22nd,
2010 in Havana, Cuba

PROFOR Inauguration - 22/03/2010	Meeting with representatives of EU member states to discuss PROFOR at the EU delegation in Havana, Cuba

Prior to the official inauguration ceremony for the PROFOR project, its main activities and the provisional calendar of implementation was presented by EFMD, ESADE and the European Union Delegation in Cuba, to the representatives of ten EU member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Javier Niño Pérez, head of the EU delegation in Cuba, opened the official inauguration ceremony which included all the stakeholders of the project including Mr. Manuel Cacho Quesada, the Spanish ambassador representing the Spanish presidency of the EU, EU member states ambassadors and staff, the MINCEX and MES as well as representatives from Cuban universities, companies and local joint ventures.

Mr. Javier Niño Pérez, Head of the EU delegation in Cuba Mr. Manuel Cacho, Ambassador of Spain Mr. Gerardo Montenegro, Cuban Director of PROFOR  Mr. Mario Oliva, Director of International Relations at MES	Mr. Javier Nino Pére, Head of the EU delegation in Cuba Prof. Jim Herbolich (EFMD), European Director of PROFOR

The project and description of the main activities were jointly presented by Prof. Jim Herbolich, Director Network Services of EFMD & European Director of PROFOR, Mr. Gerardo Montenegro, Cuban Director of PROFOR, Prof. Paco Lamolla, European Academic Director and Dr. Mariella Columbie, Cuban Academic Director.

Prof. Jim Herbolich (EFMD), European Director of PROFOR Dr. Mariella Columbie, Cuban Academic Director  Prof. Paco Lamolla (ESADE), European Academic Director	Prof. Paco Lamolla (ESADE) European Academic Director	Prof. Jim Herbolich (EFMD) European Director of PROFOR

A large attendance, including the ambassadors of 7 EU member states followed the ceremony and presentations.

Following the inauguration, the first management committee meeting was held on Tuesday March 23rd, hosted at the EU delegation represented by Ms. Anne-Sophie Houee, Project Officer and Mr. Predrag Avramovic, Head of Cooperation. The partners agreed that the first edition of the DEADE programme (Diplomado Europeo de Administración y Dirección de Empresas) would begin in September 2010. Recruitment of the participants will take place in May-June 2010.

A working group, including European and Cuban experts, will start working to carry out a survey of the Cuban needs and requirements for management education.

The PROFOR project is financed by the EU.