FW: Conference Highlights Confirmed for Saturday - Celebrating Hugo Chavez's Legacy & Defending Venezuela Against US Intervention & Right-Wing Destabilisation.

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Matthew Willgress

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May 6, 2014, 11:53:24 AM5/6/14

Hello,

I am delighted to announce key parts of the agenda for Saturday's Conference, including plenary sessions on the vital topics of:

What's Really Been Going On In Venezuela? // After Chavez, the Empire Strikes Back // and Celebrating Hugo Chavez's Legacy & Defending Venezuela Against US Intervention & Right-Wing Destabilisation.

Contributors will include writer Seumas Milne, who recently interviewed Nicolas Maduro, renowned US commentator Mark Weisbrot, Venezuelan TUC General Secretary Carlos Lopez, giving an eyewitness report on recent developments, the ambassadors of Argentina (Alicia Castro) & Cuba (Esther Armenteros) giving further perspectives from Latin America, VSC Secretary Francisco Dominguez & political figures Jeremy Corbyn MP, Neil Findlay MSP & Bethan Jenkins AM, offering their solidarity. You can register here.

Additionally, workshop highlights will include discussions on:

Fact not fiction - rejecting the key myths on Chavez’s legacy & recent events in Venezuela // Killing hope – a history of US intervention in Latin America & lessons for Venezuela today // Popular power - how community empowerment has weakened right wing attempts to overthrow the revolution // Women at the heart of Venezuela’s progressive change // Hugo Chavez & the Struggle Against Racism & Neo-Colonialism // Venezuela’s New Labour Law – taking workers’ rights into the 21st century // No Longer the US’ Backyard – how Latin American integration is ending decades of domination // Venezuela & the Struggle for Peace & Justice - No to US Militarism in Latin America // & Fulfilling the Dreams of Millions - How Chavez Transformed Venezuelans Lives for the Better.

As well as academic experts, commentators, trade unionists, progressive campaign leaders & others, voices giving a Venezuelan perspective here will include Embassy representatives Alvaro Sanchez & Emilia Chourio, former youth leader Jhon Rafael Guerra Sansonetti, writer & historian Henry Suarez, student Flora Fuentes & the film director of Chavez Luis Castro, in addition to special guests from Spain, Chile, Ecuador & Nicaragua. You can register to take part in these discussions here.

Best wishes & I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Matt Willgress, VSC National Co-ordinator

PS: This event will be a unique opportunity to find out the latest from a range of international speakers and experts on Venezuela about what's really happening. Register to attend online here or by sending a cheque (details below.) You can also register with cash/cheque on the day from 9.45am.

CELEBRATING HUGO CHAVEZ'S LEGACY - DEFENDING VENEZUELA AGAINST US INTERVENTION & RIGHT-WING DESTABILISATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE - REGISTER TODAY! Saturday May 10, 10.15 - 17.00 (registration, 9.45) at University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY. Register online here to reserve your place With guests from Venezuela including: Carlos Lopez, Venezuelan TUC General Secretary & University Workers' Leader - Alvaro Sanchez, Venezuelan Embassy - Luis Castro, journalist & film director of Chavez - Henry Suarez, Venezuelan writer & historian - Flora Fuentes, Venezuelan student *And special Latin American guests:* H.E. Esther Armenteros, Cuban Ambassador - H.E. Alicia Castro, Argentinian Ambassador- Guissell Morales-Echaverry, Nicaraguan Embassy - Ecuador speaker - Camila Mejia, FETSALUD (Nicaraguan Health Union) *Plus:* Seumas Milne, writer - Mark Weisbrot, renowned US commentator on Latin America - Fran Perez, Secretary for International Solidarity of the IU in Spain - Richard Bagley, Editor Morning Star - Maggie Bowden, Liberation General Secretary - Tony Burke, Unite Assistant General Secretary - Jeremy Corbyn MP – Luke Daniels, Caribbean Labour Solidarity - Dr. Mark Dinneen, University of Soutampton - Dr. Francisco Dominguez, Latin American Studies, Middlesex University – Sian Errington, VSC Women for Venezuela - Javier Farje, Latin America Bureau - Neil Findlay MSP, observer to Venezuelan elections - Lindsey German, Convenor, Stop the War Coalition - Philipa Harvey, NUT Senior Vice-President - Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary - Zita Holbourne, Black Activists Rising Against Cuts & PCS - Kate Hudson, CND General Secretary - Bethan Jenkins AM, Plaid Cymru - Peter Kavanagh, Unite London & Eastern Regional Secretary - Bruce Kent, peace campaigner & VSC patron - Aaron Kiely, NUS Black Students’ Officer & member of student delegation to Venezuela - Ellie May O'Hagan, blogger & columnist for Guardian Comment is Free - Karen Mitchell, RMT – Thomas Muhr, author, Counter-Globalization & Socialism in the 21st Century; The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - Pablo Navarrete, filmmaker, Venezuela: Inside the Revolution - Barbara Ntumy, NUS Women’s Committee - Hugh O'Shaughnessy, writer & journalist - Andy De La Tour, actor - Derek Wall, Green Party International Co-ordinator - Maria Vasquez-Aguilar, Chile 40 Years On Network - Chris Williamson MP

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/611939235547212/
Register Today! Registration is only £10/£7 (concessions) for the day. You can register online today by clicking here or send cheques payable toVenezuela Solidarity Campaign c/o VSC (2nd floor), c/o Unite 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB You can also help the event by: Inviting your friends on facebook, joining the VSC or making a donation Organised by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign with thanks to the initial sponsors, supporters & media partners listed above.