The Student Movement and the Struggle for Democracy in Venezuela

The Student Movement and the Struggle for Democracy in Venezuela

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
(Pacific)
CISAC Conference Room
Speaker: 
  • Roberto Patino

Roberto is one of the leaders of Venezuela's student democracy movement.  This past April, at The World Movement for Democracy in Jakarta, Roberto received the International Democracy Award on behalf of student movement leaders in Venezuela.  WMFD provided the following commentary on Venezuela's student movement: "The student reaction to the TV closing and referendum to amend the constitution was motivated not by political ideology or partisan politics, but by the notion that "in democracy all sides should be welcome."  Despite government provocation and calls for physical attacks on students, the movement continues to focus on the peaceful promotion of democracy by training observers to monitor elections and encouraging young people to register to vote.