GPJA - Venezuelan Diplomat Tours NZ

National Speaking Tour - Nelson Davila, Venezuela's top diplomat in our region - Nelson Davila, Venezuela's Canberra-based charge d'affaires for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, is not your traditional diplomat. He started out as a student activist during a period of mass mobilisations in Venezuela. He then became an indigenous rights activist, and later was a founding member of Hugo Chavez's revolutionary group Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement inside the Venezuelan armed forces.

Nelson will speak at meetings in Wellington, Christchurch, Ruatoki, Rotorua, Hamilton & Auckland about where the Venezuelan revolutionary process is heading, including:

• The recent formation of the 5 million strong United Socialist Party of Venezuela in response to president Chavez's call for "socialism of the 21st century".

• The Chavez government's strong support for indigenous rights in Venezuela.

• The explosive growth of Communal Councils which have the power to decide on local and regional priorities, along with a huge chunk of state funding to implement their own grassroots plans.

N A T I O N A L I T I N E R A R Y SATURDAY MARCH 15 - WELLINGTON

• 5pm shared dinner with invited friends of Venezuela at Fidels Cafe, Cuba St. Limited seating, if interested, contact Julie [jwebbp@gmail.com] or 021 0262 5456.

• 8.30-10.30pm public meeting at Newtown Community Centre hosted by Latin American Committee. SUNDAY MARCH 16 - CHRISTCHURCH

• 2-4pm public meeting at Workers Educational Association, 59 Gloucester St (opposite Art Gallery).

• 5pm shared dinner with invited friends of Venezuela at Tulsi Cafe, corner of Gloucester & Manchester Sts. Limited seating, if interested, contact Dave [colyer@pl.net] or 021 046 2011. MONDAY MARCH 17 - CHRISTCHURCH & ROTORUA

• 12 noon-2pm public meeting in the International Room at Canterbury University, If you need directions, contact Dave [colyer@pl.net] or 021 046 2011.

• 8pm shared dinner with invited friends of Venezuela at Kwang Chow Restaurant in Te Ngae, Rotorua. Limited seating, if interested, contact Bernie [bernieh@clear.net.nz] or (07) 3459 853.

TUESDAY MARCH 18 - RUATOKI & ROTORUA

• 10am-2pm meet Tuhoe people at Tauarau Marae, Ruatoki.

• 7pm open meeting at Bernie's home, 61 Isles Rd, Rotorua. If you need directions, contact Bernie [bernieh@clear.net.nz] or (07) 3459 853.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 19 - HAMILTON & AUCKLAND

• 1-2pm public meeting at student union building at Waikato University, hosted by Waikato Students Union.

• 6pm public meeting at Auckland University co-hosted by three student clubs. Venue: lecture theatre LibB28, in the basement of the University Library, Albert St. If you need directions, contact Oliver [oliver.woods@gmail.com] or 021 072 4647.

THURSDAY MARCH 20 - AUCKLAND

• 10-11.30am meeting with academics at Auckland University. Limited seating, if interested, contact Kathryn [k.lehman@auckland.ac.nz] or 021 0613 406.

• 6pm till late, pot-luck dinner at Unite Workers Union, 6A Western Springs Rd, Kingsland, all friends of Venezuela welcome. If you need directions, contact Mike 027 5254 744. FRIDAY MARCH 21 - AUCKLAND

• 12 noon-2pm Question & Answer session with social justice activists over shared pizzas, hosted by RAM. Limited seating, with preference given to RAM members, if interested contact Oliver [oliver.woods@gmail.com] or 021 072 4647. Meet at main entrance of Auckland University Library, Albert St, to be guided to adjacent venue.

• 7.30pm till late, public meeting at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, co-hosted by VAST (Venezuela Aotearoa Solidarity Team) and GPJA (Global Peace & Justice Auckland). Followed by live music & social. Bring your guitar! SATURDAY MARCH 22 - AUCKLAND

• Evening gathering of Latin American friends of Hugo Chavez. If interested, email Esteban at [fideluna@gmail.com]. NZ supporters of Venezuela can convey suggestions about building a Venezuela solidarity network to Nelson's tour organiser Grant Morgan, [grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz].

ENDS

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