[lorend]

Bolivia in Transition Event: Thursday October 29th

OLAS (Organization of Latin American Students) McMaster, Labour Studies Student Association, and the McMaster First Nations Student Association (MFNSA) will be hosting a special presentation on the extraordinary revolutionary process occurring in Bolivia. This event is occurring Thursday October 29th in Health Sciences Building 1A3 from 7:00pm-8:30pm

Special guest speakers Raul Burbano and Sara Korosi; members of the Toronto Bolivia Solidarity Network, will present ‘Bolivia in Transition’ : an independent grassroots video shot in Bolivia during their visit in January 2009 as official international observers of the country’s constitutional referendum. They will also be returning to Bolivia in December to document the upcoming Presidential elections and Indigenous votes for Autonomy.

Bolivia’s transition encompasses a peaceful uprising amongst its’ marginalized sector of society; its indigenous majority and their efforts to refound the nation into a plurinational state that reflects the political, social, spiritual and cultural diversity of its people. The constitutional referendum of January 2009, approved in a national referendum, has proved to be a significant moment in Bolivian history, illustrating the success of its indigenous struggle in creating a participatory democracy that includes all of Bolivian society.

They will discuss the key issues of the indigenous struggle; the successes and obstacles it has overcome/faces ahead, the opponents of this process, what this process means in the region in terms of regional integration and share their experience with the thoughts of every day Bolivians regarding this historic revolutionary process.

Bolivia’s transition provides an example of a new type of democracy, participatory democracy - which is taking hold in Central and South America. For the first time in the continents history, its majority, those that have been discriminated and marginalized for centuries, have become protagonists in building their nations future. A future that seeks to live in harmony with one another and in balance with the Pachamama (mother earth).

Typo on the date : Thursday Oct 29th**