Creating a caring economy in Venezuela

Posted by on January 30, 2004

Nora Casta?eda
?Creating a caring economy in Venezuela?

Friday February 6, 2004, 7pm
Friends Center, 15th and Cherry Sts, Philadelphia

Come stand with the people of Venezuela determined to defend their ‘peaceful and democratic revolution’

* * * * * Please circulate to your email lists * * * * *

Nora Casta?eda was appointed by President Hugo Chavez to head the Women’s Development Bank of Venezuela when he agreed to women’s demand for a bank as a way of funding reforms to benefit the poorest families and communities. She says: “The economy must be at the service of human beings, not human beings at the service of the economy. We want to create an economy based on cooperation and mutual support, a caring economy.”

Like the great majority of Venezuelans including their president, Ms Casta?eda is of African and Indigenous descent. She is a remarkable woman in a remarkable time, one of great economic and social change. Ms. Casta?eda was instrumental in drafting the new Venezuelan constitution, which stands against discrimination of all kinds and recognizes that housewives create added value and must be compensated with social security.

Come hear Ms. Casta?eda speak about the popular movement that passed one of the most advanced constitutions in the world, and reversed a coup returning their kidnapped president to power.

Venezuela is the world’s 5th largest oil exporter; yet 80% of the people live in poverty. They elected President Chavez to reclaim the oil revenue so they could tackle poverty and corruption. Literacy, healthcare, housing, land rights, etc., have all leapt ahead.

At the recent Summit of the Americas, Venezuela has played a key role in bringing together opposition to the proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, and to US interference in Latin America.

Ms. Casta?eda’s US tour is coordinated by the Global Women’s Strike (GWS) with the support of the Venezuelan Embassy.

National Sponsors include the Venezuelan Embassy; Vanguard Foundation; KPFK, KPFA, WBAI radio; Danny Glover; Ed Asner; Harry Belafonte; Dolores Huerta; Greg Palast

Phila Sponsors: AFSC Women’s Program & Peacebuilding Unit; Brandywine Peace Community; Catholic Peace Fellowship; Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)/Phila; Germantown Mtg Peace & Social Concerns Ctte; Phila Cuba Solidarity Coalition; Phila Int’l Action Center; Robin’s Bookstore; Women in Black/Phila

Phila Endorsers: Centro Juan Antonio Corretjer; Cttes of Correspondence for Democracy & Socialism; Greater Camden Unity Coalition; Jobs w/ Justice; Minority eXperience Network; NOW/Phila; Phila ANSWER; Phila Lesbian & Gay Taskforce; WILPF/Phila; YouthPAWR.

Childcare * Wheelchair accessible * Translation * Video clips
Donation sliding scale: $5-$25 or more. No one turned away. Proceeds will go to grassroots women’s self-help projects in Venezuela.

Nora Casta?eda is also speaking at Haverford College (Thursday Feb 5 @8pm, Shallcross Hall in the INSC – Integrated Natural Sciences Center) and St Josephs University (Friday Feb 6 @2pm, Forum Theater).

Selma James, GWS international coordinator, and Nina L?pez of the GWS Bolivarian Circle/UK will accompany Ms. Casta?eda, providing introductory remarks and translation.

The Global Women?s Strike demands that society Invests in Caring Not Killing. Women in over 60 countries, and men who support our goals, take Strike action every March 8 (International Women’s Day).

For further info on the tour, the Strike or the GWS video “Venezuela – A 21st Century Revolution,” which features Ms. Casta?eda: Tel: 215-848-1120 Email: philly@crossroadswomen.net Web: http://globalwomenstrike.net