Fall Delegation to Venezuela: System Change Not Climate Change. The Revolution Continues!

November 2 to 12-2014  

System Change Not Climate Change

From Nov. 4th. to 7th. 2014 Venezuela plans to host the first “Social Pre-COP” aspiring to put civil society at the heart of the global climate change debate. In which ministers would not only talk to each other but also their people about the agreement the world wants to see. This forum is part of a process of negotiations from the United Nations and constitutes a space where the people of the world can contribute in the construction of a new climate agreement which will be decided on in 2015.

This effort is urgently needed in order to make the UN climate change negotiations more accountable and open to the world’s citizens.

Last year the UN climate negotiations in Warsaw saw a historic walk-out of civil society groups who voiced anger at what they saw as regressive steps taken by rich countries and their lack of interest in listening to civil society groups’ priorities and demands. Join us in this important and historical event.

Cost for Activities: $1150. This will cover all lodging, all ground transportation, 2 meals per day, qualified trip leaders, and Spanish-English interpretation. Additional expenses during the trip will be low.

We have special prices for those who only want to participate in the pre-conference on climate change. November 3 to 8-2014 for $850. Airfare not included.

Tentative Itinerary. Start and end in Caracas; visits to the states of New Sparta, Margarita island (Where the conference will take place) and Aragua State.

Day 1: Caracas – Arrival; orientation/welcome; visits to social programs and discussions with community leaders and local authorities.

Day 2 ,Visits to urban agriculture sites and other community initiatives in two communities in Caracas, including 23 de Enero and El Valle. The second night we have a round trip flight Caracas margarita cover.

Days 3, 4, 5 and 6: Conference “System Change Not Climate Change”

Days 7 and 8: Visit to the Afro-Venezuelan coastal community of Chuao, known for producing some of the world’s best cocoa; learn about artisanal cacao production as well as artisanal fishing and Venezuela’s progressive fishing laws; enjoy beautiful beaches.

Day 9: Caracas: free day for sight seeing, getting souvenirs,

Day 10: departure.

To Learn more and hold a spot for the trip, email cbalbertolovera@gmail.com.

Please be in touch as soon as possible, as space is very limited. Please allow several days for responses.

Sponsored by the Alberto Lovera Bolivarian Circle of NY. Check out these articles from past delegations:

http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2008/magdoff040208.html

http://monthlyreview.org/090824shiavoni-camacaro.php

About our Trip Leaders in Venezuela:

William Camacaro, originally from Venezuela, is co-founder of the Alberto Lovera Bolivarian Circle of New York (Organization that has been working in solidarity with the Bolivarian revolution for almost 15 years) and is an artist, radio host, and activist based in New York City. He has organized over 16 delegations to Venezuela and Bolivia.

Stephen Bartlett (alias Esteban) is a food sovereignty organizer, who has worked for Agricultural Missions for 15 years. Prior to that he farmed on 10 acres with his family in the Dominican Republic, and maintains operations on that farm to this day. He is an educator and polyglot with a social movement building worldview. He has led agricultural and food justice delegations to Ecuador, Brazil, Cuba, Kenya and Venezuela. He coordinates a volunteer agricultural collective and educational programs in Louisville, Kentucky where he lives with his family

Sponsored by the Alberto Lovera Bolivarian Circle of NY.
Check out these articles from past delegations:

What people are saying about our delegations:

Visiting Venezuela with the Bolivarian Circle of New York “Alberto Lovera” delegation was a great experience. I was able to enter into dialog with the process underway at cooperatives and communal councils and see for myself the enthusiasm of the Chavista base for participatory democracy, food security and protecting the social gains of the revolution while moving forward.

Frederick B. Mills Professor of Philosophy Bowie State University

The delegation gave me a fabulous window into one of the most exciting social experiments of our time, the Bolivarian revolution and the public policies committed to social Justice that it informs. It also wetted my appetite for more. I will soon be incorporating some of what I learned into my seminars, and I hope to be able to bring a contingent of students in the near future.

Claudia Chaufan Associate Professor
 University of California San Francisco

“The Food Sovereignty delegation to Venezuela was interesting, informative and a lot of fun. We saw collective farms, factories, feeding centers and spent time with groups of people struggling for land reform and human dignity. We had lots of opportunities to see how people work together and how agriculture is changing in Venezuela. I loved the people we traveled with and created strong bonds with many of them. It’s the kind of trip that makes you want to return in a few years to see how much progress is being made. It further inspired me to work in the food democracy movement in the US and figure out ways to stay in solidarity with our Venezuelan sisters and brothers.”

Nancy Romer General Coordinator Brooklyn Food Coalition http://www.BrooklynFoodCoalition.org

“Traveling with William and Christina gave me an insider perspective that I couldn’t have gotten otherwise. I highly recommend taking a trip on one of these delegations whether you are highly interested in food politics and socialism, or are new to the subject.”

Paula Crossfield Founder and the Managing Editor of Civil Eats http://civileats.com/about/

“I traveled to both Venezuela and Bolivia with William Camacaro and Christina Schiavoni as the leaders of the trip. I can’t say enough about the quality of these trips and their leadership. I was astounded at the range of activities each trip provided: food centers for the elderly, African communities, women’s collectives, revolutionary centers, fishing industry in Venezuela, agricultural initiatives such as the production of quinoa in Bolivia, meetings with government officials, wonderful community cultural events (sometimes in our honor!), and more. Additionally, both William and Christina were very attentive to the people on the trips, addressed personal crises that arose, and helped in any way possible. There was never a sense that you were simply on your own in a foreign country, and had to fend for yourself. They were always available for questions, suggestions, and concrete help. IN SO DOING THE TRIP LEADERS CREATED A FAMILY-LIKE FEELING AMONG THE GROUP MEMBERS. I have been traveling on political/educational trips for decades, and can only say; the Bolivarian Circle’s trips are the bomb!”

Suzanne Ross, PhD, clinical psychologist and activist with the Free Mumia Abu Jamal Coalition, NYC

“The food sovereignty tours to Venezuela are an incredible eye opener. You can read about aspects of the country’s shift to a fairer food system but to see it first hand – and meet the people that are making the change happen – is totally inspiring.”

Simon Cunich Australian Filmmaker Creator of the documentary Growing Change http://www.simoncunich.com.au/