Prensa Latina
March 28, 2012
Citation: http://bit.ly/Hptptm
Santiago de Chile, Mar 28 (Prensa Latina) The Confederation of Students of Chile (CONFECH) rejected the conclusions of a government advisory panel, which rejected the establishment of free education, considering it inefficient and inequitable.
Today is Day of the Young Combatant. There are now numerous articles and news outlets that are covering the Chilean student protests. However, as the above video states, Al-Jazerra was apparently the only news outlet covering this story up until late. Prensa Latina states that it is the neoliberal (think free trade, open markets) ideology that is "inefficient" and "inequitable" to provide free education for students. The students are protesting the market system of education in their country because, as the article states the students believe education is a right, just as health, and thus structural changes must be implemented now because this current model promotes, or enhances rather, as the article puts it, concepts of individualism, selfishness and exclusion. Students are undeterred by time, by police violence and have even resorted to hunger strikes. Please refer to this article by the Nation, which not only has another video that will raise your consciousness regarding this issue, but comments on some of the economic facts and figures that have led to the protests. Additionally, and most importantly, there was a huge protest this morning. The Santiago Times has been continuing to cover the story, and posted on March 18th, an article entitled "First march of the school year incites violence in Santiago" (see link) It is also worthwhile read, particularly because it is written in Chile by Chileans.
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| Blocking streets with fires and recently displaced street signs is common form in Chile's protests. Protests littered Santiago all day Thursday in what was supposed to be the first day of authorized marches in 2012. (Photo by Jason Suder/The Santiago Times) |
I am wholeheartedly impressed with the effort by Chilean student's to lower the cost of high education in their country and to ultimately reform the mentality of lawmakers and institutions. Please refer to the above video, though posted 2 months ago, it will provide you with a broader prospective of the developments and progression of this important protest against President Pinera's education law. The video raises some important questions regarding interconnectedness. The interesting thing is that normally in our blog we discuss North-South transfer. In this case, the commentators in the video discuss whether what is happening in Chile may not happen in the United States next, and this protest is an internal debate which has been brought on by globalization but requires a national solution. The Chilean students are not giving up, and that is what I admire most about their efforts. Also the fact that they are organized, they have a leader and they are mobilized in a united effort with an explicit purpose. They are not relying on outside sources, other nations that is, to rescue them -- they want change to come from within, from their own government. I say, Bravo.
Jennifer blogged about this same story over a month ago in her post, Hidden Strife within Chile's Education System. In that post Jennifer takes a close look at the history of educational development in Chile and what factors, that is, colonialism (ex. European models of education) have led to the protests we are seeing today. Evan highlights an important mismatch regarding BBC's coverage when they call the protests "shocking". I say mismatch because, well, it does not match our thinking on this blog. As the protests continue we hope to get you updated with the developments and eventually hope that we can provide news of reform of an addendum to current Chilean legislation.
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| Masked demonstrators shout slogans at riot police during a demonstration marking "Day of the Young Combatant," in Santiago, Thursday March 29, 2012. The Day of the Young Combatant commemorates the killing of two young brothers by police in a 1985 protest during the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. ((AP Photo/Roberto Candia)) |
On a day that is so significant to Chileans, and to those, like us Sigue bloggers, who genuinely care about education reform in Latin America, it is quite special to see such strong will, motivation and dedication to the cause. My comments on today's events, and on this ever-evolving story is short and sweet: SIGUE ADELANTE!
Hola Jaime! Please look this video from Colombia http://goo.gl/NEVh1 where we had a situation very alike to Chile's protests. I'm glad that your blog is posting about this topic. Some of the presidents of the region claim that this is the decade of Latin America, so a lot of efforts, along great optimism, are being dedicated to improve our education. Is actually quite new to have these major manifestations that actually demand attention/actions from the national government. The only sad thing is that students sometimes use violence to prove their anger and despair. I guess is a harsh situation, and hopefully the governments get to finally do what's best for the people.
ReplyDeleteJaime, this was a great post. It reminds me of what we talked about yesterday in class about how youth and younger generations can play a huge role in fomenting change. I agree with Maria; it is upsetting that students need to use such force and occasionally violence to achieve their goals, but I support them in their fight to lower education costs! Sigue Adelante indeed!
ReplyDeleteBeing in the midst of these strikes in Chile, I unfortunately didn't see many options for Chilean youth to call attention to these educational injustices. The sustained frustration definitely breeds violence. What agency do they have? It's not like we had a flourishing student government to address the needs of the students at my university in Southern Chile.
ReplyDeleteI'm NOT advocating for violence, but I do realize there are not many options and it is sad. I do worry about the U.S. and the future of higher education, I agree with Jaime. . .maybe the North should look South and learn a few things or we might be destined to endure similar protests. Jaime, you also bring up an important underlying point relevant to both North/South - is education a right?
Maria, que interesante el video sobre lo que esta pasando en Colombia con respecto al eso mismo asunto. La educación como derecho, ideas así, son muy importantes en la cara de un gobierno que quiere privatizar las universidades. También estoy de acuerdo contigo que la violencia no va a resolver nada y también se puede hacer la situación mas difícil! Por eso, alineo mis ideas con las de Ghandi y MLK Jr. y sus ideas de protesta pacifica y resistencia pasiva. Gracias por compartir eso y para tu comentario!
ReplyDeleteMaria, that video is so interesting about what is happening in Colombia regarding this same issue. Education as a right, ideas like this, are very important in the face of a government that wants to privatize universities. Also, I agree with you regarding the violence, it will solve nothing and in fact sometimes makes the situation more difficult. It's for this that I align my ideas with those of Ghandi and MLK Jr. and their ideas of nonviolent protest and nonviolent resistence. Thanks for sharing this and for your comment!
Wow, Jaime. Your recent post has certainly given your classmates much to think about. I'm really glad you are all following the Chilean student protests and find ways to critique it while admiring their resilience. I would also encourage you to consider other mainstream media that are representing Camila Valejo. For example, she's apparently going to visit Cuba for a Young Communist's League Conference: http://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10216:cuba-camila-vallejo-to-attend-young-communist-leagues-fiftieth-anniversary-celebrations&catid=2:cuba&Itemid=14.
ReplyDeleteIf you take a look at some of the specific characters caught up in the events, that will bring a more personalized perspective of the issues - provide a micro point of view, not just macro.
Thanks for your comments Mariam. The Pope also recently paid a visit to Cuba which prompted me to consider education in the form of relIgious indoctrination and socialism as the purposeful resistance to modernization and globalization.
ReplyDeleteI find it extremtely interesting that the Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas (UJC) or the Young Communist League in Cuba has taken such a strong interest in the Chilean protests. Equally as noteworthy is the groups interest in recognizing the work of respected Chilean communists of the past such as Marín, Neruda and Allende -- signaling a clear connection the the UJC sees between the work of Camila Valejo and Federation of Students of the University of Chile, and communism.