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advantages that enhance the experiences of contemporary average
Cubans.
Through their meetings within and between lodges, CF can help
re-create the social capital within Cuban society, promoting faster and
broader economic development. Lodges can become training centers
for democratic procedures such as open debates, development and
submission of proposals, etc. After the Third Grade (Master Mason),
everyone is equal in the organization, with the same rights and obliga-
tions. Free elections for all Lodge and Grand Lodge leaders are held
periodically, etc.
Lodges can also train average citizens in preparing and living with a
budget, raising funds to operate the organization, the art of negotiat-
ing to obtain common objectives, etc., so important in a free and plu-
ralistic society. The Grand Lodge has a legal body and runs a justice
system so powerful that has recently expelled a Past Grand Master, the
highest authority, from the organization. A national, representative,
and freely elected assembly, la Alta Cámara, runs the organization. CF
even have an institute for developing serious Masonic studies: la Aca-
demia de Altos Estudios Masónicos, a library, and a museum.
Since all masons have equal rights, it is feasible to respectfully
object or debate opinions even from leaders, something that would be
more difficult in hierarchical organizations such as churches and polit-
ical parties. Respectfully and peacefully objecting to leadership deci-
sions, is one of the key activities required by an open and pluralistic
society.
Finally, Freemasons are an international organization. There are
Grand Lodges in most Western countries, especially in Latin America,
with which the Cuban Grand Lodge frequently interacts. In 2009,
with participation from delegates of many foreign countries, including
the US, the Cuban Grand Lodge celebrated its 150 Anniversary.
Finally, CF inside the island and abroad, can now more easily visit
each other, and their respective lodges. Such citizen diplomacy is, fre-
quently, more efficient than the official one.