Thursday, October 20, 2005

BLOGGING FROM THE VI World Social Forum in Caracas, Venezuela

Dear Readers,

In the words of Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano, "If the world is upside down the way it is now, wouldn't we have to turn it over to get it to stand up straight?"

Many magical things are stirring in Latin America - things that couldn't even have been dreamt of under the U.S. supported dictatorships of just 20 or 30 years ago. There is a movement afoot. High hopes and dreams that stretch from the Pampas of Argentina to the plains of Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, and especially from Washington's nemesis Venezuela. A dream, Bolivar's dream, is stirring in the hearts of hundreds of millions to the South.

In January of 2006, the VI World Social Forum will be held simultaneously on three continents; In Karachi, Pakistan; in Bamako, Mali; and in Caracas, Venezuela. I will be traveling to the VI World Social Forum in Caracas, where I plan to blog my daily experiences and observations throughout the Forum - which runs from January 24th through the 29th, and then afterwards as I visit successful examples of the "social missions" - from literacy, high school, and university education, to Cuban doctors and eye health, to cultural heritage programs.

I am a veteran, and a member of Veterans For Peace, and have been closely following the World Social Forum since its inception in 2001. This year I have the privilege and the opportunity to actively participate in this momentous event.

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell

If you, dear readers like and appreciate the breath of fresh air that Milfuegos brings to the blogosphere - consider supporting this site by sending a donation to help make this trip a success.


checks should be made out to:

"Veterans For Peace, Chapter 31"

and mailed to:

Veterans For Peace
c/o John Grant
4008 Pilgrim Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462


Please note on the memo line: "DONATION for Milfuegos"
or if you prefer "DONATION for Macu Naima"

I had thought of explaining the World Social Forum (all five thus far), and I came to the conclusion that it would be better to just post articles from each one (About the WSF, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005), and let you see what they were all about, and how they evolved.