An exceptional opportunity to hear from a Black grassroots woman working in agriculture, crafts and community television to help build a caring economy in Caribbean Venezuela.

Venezuela is the 5th largest oil exporter but 80% of its population, mainly people of African and Indigenous descent, has lived in poverty. President Hugo Chávez was elected in 1998 to reclaim the oil revenue to tackle poverty. His programme was ratified by landslides in August’s presidential referendum and October’s regional elections. People are now working to deepen the revolution. Land is being redistributed to grow food, co-operatives, education and health ‘missions’ are steaming ahead, and community media are springing up everywhere.

Marisol León is in Europe to attend the Social Forum in Málaga, Spain, and will also be speaking in the North of Ireland.