Analysis: Social Programs

Food Sovereignty in Venezuela

By Heidi Chow - World Development Movement, Aug 2nd 2012

(CdO)

Over the last 12 years, the socialist government of Hugo Chavez has been attempting to rebuild Venezuela’s agricultural sector and has included the radical concept of food sovereignty into the country's new constitution. Food sovereignty is a concept that originates in the global south and presents a positive alternative to our broken global food system which is dominated by the multinational food companies who grow food in a way that is unsustainable, leads to hunger and damages the environment.

José Antonio Abreu on Venezuela's El Sistema Miracle

By Clemency Burton-Hill - The Guardian, Jun 23rd 2012

Young students with El Sistema founder Abreu (centre) and conductor Gustavo Dudamel in Caracas, Venezuela. (Sandra Bracho/PR com

In a rare interview, El Sistema founder José Antonio Abreu talks about his passion for Venezuela's extraordinary musical programme that gives children a route out of poverty

Independence Equals Housing, Health, Agriculture, Defense & Political Will

By Arturo Rosales - Axis of Logic, Jun 18th 2012

(Erepublik)

Last night, Venezuela's VTV reported from CAVIM (Venezuelan Military Industries) in Maracay, on their production of the AK-103 and a full range of ammunition for use by the new National Police Force and the Venezuelan Military.

Venezuela Street Boxing Program Helps Keep Youth Off The Streets

By Jorge Rueda - Huffington Post, Jun 10th 2012

Jesus "Kiki" Rojas, a former flyweight and super flyweight World Boxing Association champion, says that the government

Youths are participating in a program supported by the Venezuelan government that aims not only to develop stellar fighters and expand the sport's reach but also to give poor adolescents an alternative to crime, alcohol and drugs.

There is Something About El Sistema

By John M. Eger, The Huffington Post, Apr 7th 2012

Venezuela’s innovative “El Sistema” youth orchestra program is spreading across the United States (Paratimama)

It started in a little town in Venezuela almost 35 years ago, made its way to cities in the U.S. and is now a global phenomenon. El Sistema, which doesn't translate well, means simply "the system," a system for giving young, usually poor kids, a chance on living.

I’m Happy in Caracas: City Culture and the Book Festival

By Carola Chavez, Mar 21st 2012

Caracas resident Carola Chavez writes about the book fair with excitement, not to mention the taxi driver with whom she had a deep philosophical conversation, and the cleaner at the fair who loved to read, and showed her around.

Chavez's Dream Grows in Socialist Venezuelan city

By Valeria Pacheco - AFP, Mar 13th 2012

After nine months in a flood victims' shelter, Daviana Padron now lives in a free apartment, works in a cooperative bakery and her kids attend a new school in the Venezuelan city of Caribia.

Adriana Gregson: We Must De-mystify the Pathology of Crime in Adolescents

By Adriana Gregson and Akaida Libertad Orozco Díaz - Encontrarte, Feb 20th 2012

Adriana Gregson (Encontrarte)

In this interview, Adriana Gregson talks about the pilot initiative which she set up at a young offenders' institute in Caracas. The project, which was set up with government funding, allows incarcerated youths to produce radio programmes with a political content for the community.

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).