Venezuela - back from "Media and Freedom" tour to Caracas
After returning recently from a "Media and Freedom" Reality Tour to Venezuela organized by Global Exchange , I have a better appreciation of the difficulties faced by Venezuelan people. Since I am learning the history and dynamics of Venezuela, the goal of this tour was to grasp the obstacles and accomplishments Venezuelans experience in their attempt to solve socio-economic problems. The Reality Tour consisted of 12 North Americans and one South African. The group included teachers in elementary schools, high schools and universities, along with media workers -- one for Free Speech TV channel and another for an alternative weekly Milwaukee newspaper. Others in the group were community activists and artists. Many in the group had traveled to various parts of Latin America - Chiapas, Oaxaca, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Nicaragua and Cuba. The combination of professional backgrounds and Latin American experience generated thoughtful discussions at each of the meet