José Martí Pioneer Organization

The Organización de Pioneros José Martí ( OPJM, German: Pioneer Organization José Martí) is the umbrella organization for the children and young people of Cuba. Its task is to educate their members' interest in learning, the love of country and all the nations of the world.

Predecessor of OPJM

In 1931 the League of Pioneers of Cuba (LPC ), which existed but was only five years. ( - Union of rebellious pioneers UPR) founded, which was renamed a year later in Unión de Pioneros de Cuba (UPC ) After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution was on April 4, 1961, the Unión de Pioneros Rebeldes. The Cuban pioneer movement entered a new stage, in which the membership base has been greatly broadened, although until 1966, only selected children could become a member of the Pioneers.

The establishment of the OPJM

At the 3rd Congress of the Young Communist League of Cuba in 1977, it was decided to convert the UPC into the Organización de Pioneros José Martí, with large changes were made in the structure and operation of the organization. Since that moment, the pioneer organization comprised all children and young people from the first to the ninth grade.

Priorities of OPJM

The priorities of the OPJM are as follows:

• Training of the pioneers to future women and men to continue the work of the revolution.
• Awakening of interests for Teaching and Learning, of the sense of social responsibility and the love of country.
• Shaping of the habitus ' work in children
• Inculcation of love for the martyrs and heroes of the fatherland and the knowledge of the main events of the history of Cuba.
• Unfolding of activities in sport, culture and recreation.
• Promote ethical and moral values ​​in the children.

In July 2013, the management of the OPJM major changes in the organization announced, among other things, to the training of caregivers strengthened and be received by the discussions on the wishes of the pioneers. All previous subgroups are now to the Explorers ( span: Erkundern ) together to promote greater integration. Also to be offered by more Alterskategorieren differentiated events.

Groupings of the pioneers

The pioneers are classified by age and school year: From the first to the third class they are Moncadistas, named after the assault on the Moncada Barracks, which marks the beginning of the revolution. From the fourth to sixth grade they are primer nivel José Martí ( first stage) and from the seventh to ninth grade they are segundo nivel José Martí ( second stage).

Currently, more than 1.5 million children and young people aged between five and 15 years, members of the OPJM. The motto of the organization is: " Pioneros por el como el Che comunismo ¡ Seremos " ( "Pioneers for communism - let's be like Che !").