231: Nelson Davila - Venezuelan Diplomat In Hamilton & Auckland

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.

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]

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.

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.. 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].

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