Venezuela - Making Another World Possible

FREE Public screening of the film 'The Revolution will not be Televised'.
Monday 17th July, 7pm – 9pm
Quaker Meeting House
10 St James Street
Sheffield

For a map, see:  http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=S1+2EW&spn=0.011916,0.027723&iwloc=A&hl=en


For more information contact:  info@sheffieldvic.org.uk or 07875 023529

To join the email list or download the flyer, see: www.sheffieldvic.org.uk


On Monday 17th July, Sheffield Venezuela Information Centre will be holding a public screening of the documentary 'The Revolution will not be Televised'.

This documentary captures on film the events of April 2002 when President Hugo Chavez was briefly ousted from power by an attempted coup. He was returned to office two days later following enormous mobilisations of those who have benefited from the progressive social change led by President Chavez since his election in December 1998.

Following the film there will also be discussion on building solidarity.

The initiatives introduced by the Chavez government are truly inspiring. In a country where previously 80% of the population below the poverty line, social exclusion is being tackled using the countries vast oil wealth for the good of the majority of people:

• Seventeen million Venezuelans now have access to healthcare for the first time;
• After a massive expansion of education, UNESCO has declared Venezuela completely free of illiteracy.
• Fifteen million benefit from Mission Mercal which provides food and other necessities at affordable prices

Chavez' government is countering all forms of discrimination:

• Women are playing a greater role in society. The creation of a Women's Development Bank, Banmujer, has enabled tens of thousands of women to find employment, the government budget for women's rights has expanded by over 500% and the number of female ministers in government has increased from 10% to 25%.

• Racism is being tackled: the Constitution for the first time now recognises indigenous people’s social, political and economic rights, as well as protecting their land rights. Three indigenous leaders have now been elected to the National Assembly.

• The mayor of Caracas – a key Chavez ally - has declared the city a “homophobia free territory” and has established a unit specifically to tackle homophobic prejudice.

Alongside this social transformation within Venezuela, Chavez is promoting international solidarity. A striking example is Mission Miracle – joint with Cuba - which provides free eye operations to poor people across Latin America and the Caribbean blinded by cataracts and similar eye illnesses. Over 150,000 have had their sight restored since the Mission Miracle was established in 2004.

Chavez has combined this inspiring social progress with a massive expansion of Venezuelan democracy. Opposition claims that Chavez is a 'dictator' or 'anti-democratic' are refuted by the fact that Chavez has been endorsed in no fewer than ten elections in the seven years he has held office, with organisations including the EU, OAS and the Carter Centre declaring the elections to be fair.

The Bush administration has responded to progress in Venezuela with an international campaign to isolate Chavez - showing it has no concern for either democracy or the welfare of Venezuelans. There is particular concern over US attempts to undermine the Chavez government ahead of December’s presidential election, where Chavez is overwhelming likely to be re-elected. Now is a crucial time to show solidarity with Venezuela.