Interviewed (I): INFORMÁTICA 2009 central theme will be devoted to the importance of the Information and Communication Technologies and People´s Sovereignty.  We will have 14 scientific-technical events associated to the development strategy of our sector where results, projects, and investigations in our field are going to be presented. In theses events, the following topics will be treated: educational and medical informatics, geomatics, multimedia and virtual reality, ICT security, telecommunications, free software, quality, electronic commerce, management informatics, automation, electronic design, informatics in social community, and symposium of telecommunication regulators. In such events, more than 1500 works, 650 from 49 countries, are registered with only two months to the Convention opening. It is expected that participation and technical level can be the greatest in the history of this event.

J: We recall that masterful lecture given by Mr. Richard Stallman who stands out for his defense on open source software. Will people talk again about the importance of developing operating systems that do not require license?

I: Disseminating knowledge and experiences that enhance productivity and quality in the development of informatics applications as well as encouraging the use and development of open source technologies are one of the central objectives of our Convention.  On this occasion, we will also have a Workshop for this issue where experiences of several countries in the migration to applications of this kind will be presented.  Technical details will be discussed, and other related to training and legal framework.

J: Our magazine is characterized by including in each edition a work related to the importance of being alert and vigilant with malicious code.  In 2007, a representative from Kaspersky Labs attended the event. Will be this edition attended again by prominent specialists regarding these issues?

I: Indeed, we had the honor of having the attendance of Costin G. RAIU, Head of Research and Development of Kaspersky Lab, in 2007.  This time, the 9th Iberoamerican Seminar on ICT Security will take place, featuring prominent national and international specialists who are related to the subject of malicious software and computer security in general.  We have confirmed the attendance of prestigious foreign institutions.  For instance, VirusTotal from Spain, the Iberoamerican Thematic Network CriptoRed and its Secretary General will be with us, we will have representatives from Karpersky Lab of Russia, the United Kingdom´s NGS and CYBSEC S.A. Security Systems of Argentina among others.

J: So far, what are considered the most relevant themes that will be present in the Convention Palace halls?

I: We will have the attendance of Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), PhD. Hamadoun I. Toure, personality of great prestige who will deliver a Plenary Lecture related to Convergence in ICT in terms of development: Ministers and Secretary General from several countries and international organizations will visit us.  In addition to the event sessions and the Fair, it has been also organized a program of masterly lectures on various topics that will be the peak of excellence, where we can share with key personalities from governments of several countries including those having an important strategic integration with our country.

J: Regarding the Fair, we want to know the area, company representation and Cuba and world main exponents of Information Technology.

I: The main objective of the Fair is the search for alliances for the Integration, so it will not be a Fair where dominates the spirit of competition and adversity between companies, but the spirit of collaboration, and integration of some of the most important programs and projects they are developing and need developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are summoning a Fair that is becoming one of the most important technological spaces in the region.  It will be held at the PABEXPO exhibition site neighboring the Convention Palace and integrates with the Convention so that the two activities belong to the same course of action. That was already a positive result in the 2007 edition.   The Fair area is about 3000 square meters and more than 60 companies confirmed their presence.  More than the 30 are foreign.

We should highlight the participation of China and Venezuela, among others.

J: Cuba stand, very well located and also crowded in the previous edition, what are its characteristics this year?

I: In this edition, we will exhibit a STAND CUBA with a sample of prominent national projects related to our sector.  We wanted to encourage institutions and working groups that have results related to the development strategy and sovereignty that demands our homeland, so we have chosen works that are being developed and integrated in our country, which provide a know how to the nation and that means to advance in the path of its own development and independence.   23 important projects were winners in this contest, whose main award is to represent the country at the Stand Cuba.

J: What will Cuba win with this new 13^th International Convention and Fair Informática 2009?

I: I'm sure it will be a Convention and Fair at the level demanded by the historic moment of our country, marking a breakthrough in the path of integration with other countries, confirming strategic alliances.  It will show Cuba prestige in the region and the participation of other countries will be another blow to the policy of isolation and blockade that the U.S. government maintains against our people, and it will leave an endless flow of new knowledge to continue the path of developing and defending our social project.