Analysis: Social Programs

Another Way is Possible: Fair Trade, Cooperation and Solidarity

By Nick Hoskyns, David McKnight , Jan 13th 2012

The ALBA alliance has been important for developing a highly successful literacy program in Nicaragua (Jenny Mathews)

Current events and discussion on the crisis in the Eurozone and more globally, have raised interesting questions of democratic deficit, sovereignty over economic policy and whether countries can work co-operatively together to improve economic and social development. Yet in Latin America, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our America (ALBA) agreement between progressive governments is showing a positive alternative, that puts people first.

Mozart vs. the Gangstas: How Classical Music Is Changing Young Lives

By Jens Erik Gould , TIME US. , Jan 8th 2012

Gangs are such a part of life in southeastern Los Angeles that Daniel Gonzalez once thought he was destined to be wrapped up in them sooner or later.

Venezuela Leads on UN Human Development Goals

By Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network, Nov 21st 2011

In 2000, the Bolivarian government of Venezuela embraced the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to achieve a better standard of living for the entire population. Venezuela’s remarkably rapid achievement of most of the MDGs compared to every other country in the world is a result of the Chavez government’s implementation of economic and social policies based on the principles underlying 21st century socialism.

Transforming Food Production through Agropatria & Mission AgroVenezuela

By Correo del Orinoco International, Oct 24th 2011

Since Venezuela nationalized the agricultural supplies giant Agroisleña and turned it into the state-owned Agropatria one year ago, the number of farmers served by the company has almost tripled and the number of supply outlets has increased by two thirds, according to Agropatria’s annual balance sheet.

Chavez versus Obama: Facing Presidential Elections in 2012

By James Petras, Sep 18th 2011

Two incumbent presidents are running for re-election in 2012, Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Barack Obama in the United States. What makes these two electoral contests significant is that they represent contrasting responses to the global economic crises.

Reading: Fundamental Axis of Venezuelan Cultural Policy

By Venezuela International, Sep 14th 2011

Spaces to read, discuss, reflect, exchange ideas, and develop knowledge have been multiplied in Venezuela in the last 10 years. The Venezuelan population is growing up in the cultural field.

Diagnosis and Perspectives of the Social and Solidarity Economy of Venezuela

By Elvy Monzant, Aug 25th 2011

A discussion by Venezuela's Elvy Monzant, Dean of the School of Communication at the University Cecilio Acosta de Maracaibo and active member of the Gestión Participativa Cooperative. Monzant spoke during the First Global Prout Conference in Venezuela, "Building a Solidarity Economy based on Ethics and Ecology" (July 2011).

Conversation with the Minister for the Revolutionary Transformation of Greater Caracas

By BY ENcontrARTE, Francisco “Farruco” Sesto, Jul 27th 2011

Venezuelan Minister for the Revolutionary Transformation of Greater Caracas, Francisco “Farruco” Sesto, details his role within the government’s housing mission, and discusses some of the problems and challenges facing the government in undertaking such a huge task.

Revolutionary Doctors: How Venezuela and Cuba Are Changing the World’s Conception of Health Care

By Steve Brouwer - Monthly Review Press, Jul 21st 2011

Revolutionary Doctors, a new book published by Monthly Review Press, gives readers a first-hand account of Venezuela’s innovative and inspiring program of community health care, designed to serve—and largely carried out by—the poor themselves. Drawing on long-term participant observations as well as in-depth research, author Steve Brouwer tells the story of Venezuela’s Integral Community Medicine program, in which doctor-teachers move into the countryside and poor urban areas to recruit and train doctors from among peasants and workers.

Food in Venezuela is Now Guaranteed

By Venezuela International - MinCI, Jul 14th 2011

The Venezuelan people's access to a healthy balanced diet has been greatly improved by government-backed programs such as P

Venezuelans today not only have a variety of foods at a low cost compared to what their salaries could afford 12 years ago, but they now access more nutritious foods on a daily basis.

Eyewitness Update from the Venezuelan Revolution

By Catriona Goss, Jul 10th 2011

Cat Goss, leading student activist within the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, has just arrived back in Britain after spending the past couple of months witnessing first hand the ongoing social processes taking place in Venezuela. Below is an article written for Student Broad Left sharing her eyewitness account of the most recent developments in Venezuela.

Venezuela: Improving Health Services Nationwide

By Correo del Orinoco, Jun 19th 2011

In a move that will see yet greater funding applied to essential public services, the Venezuelan government announced a series of initiatives last week intended to strengthen the Caribbean nation’s growing health care infrastructure and expand access to residents in the state of Aragua.

Venezuelans Trust Housing Mission

By Yeneiza Delgado Mijares - Venezuela de Verdad International , Jun 13th 2011

Zulimar Hernandez is a 46-year old Venezuelan who works as a secretary and lives with her two children in a rented house in the slum Los Magallanes de Catia (west of Caracas). She has lived in a rented house for 10 years and has suffered the usury of those who take advantage of the need of those who cannot buy a home.

Children’s Cardiology Hospital: Synonym of Life

By Venezuela de Verdad International, Jun 8th 2011

When Jonathan Vásquez came from the Dominican Republic with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a severe pulmonary hypertension, it was very difficult for him to breath, this being an obstacle for his daily activities, such as playing or practicing any sports. 18 days after his surgery, Jennifer Vásquez, his mother, affirms that the child is getting better due to the attention of the Children’s Cardiology Hospital “Dr. Rodríguez Ochoa.”

The Role of the Infocenter in Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution

By Rich Potter - Transdeuce, Jun 6th 2011

In the remote neighborhood of Nuevo Amanecer, there is no wireline phone service or cable TV. One thing the residents of Nuevo Amanecer can count on, however, is access to internet connected personal computers, thanks to their local infocenter.