Indonesia and the states in Latin America have similarities in their historical background, that is as an ex-colonial state in which life of around half part of the citizens had long been suffered from marginalization process and underprivillege life. However, the same as their counterpart in Indonesia, the citizens of Latin America had been revived and struggled to gain their independence.
Both the Indonesians and the Latin Americans had been faced by post-colonialism challenges which were to develop and to establish the autonomy of their country, to support the authority, and to develop the countries’ economy and social order. However, the history has noted that during the 70-80’s era, instead of developed towards the prosperity, the Latin Americans had been suffered from an authoritarian system created by the leader and the neo-liberalism practices. It was the same situation which has also been experienced by the Indonesian people.
Nevertheless, for the past few years some new indications in pavor of the resurgence of the Latin American people have been slowly emerged. For example, the policies of the government of Venezuela under the lead of Hugo Chavez has given priorities in providing basic needs for the Venezuelan such as, education and health through reoptimalization of Venezuelan natural resources management. Before the reoptimalization policies, the natural resources management of Venezuela were mostly controlled by foreign parties and a handful of people. Hugo Chavez government has also introduced another economic innovation by legalizing the increasing of salary or minimum wage by 15% to be $220 per month. The increasing is considered significant as the minimum wage in Venezuela was only $183 per month in 1999, although in 2005 it had been slightly increased up to $188 per month. Venezuela women, especially from the low economic level have also gained advantage from the new salary policies: under the Venezuela constitution, the housewifes in Venezuela receive monthly salary from the government because the household tasks done by the women such as, taking care of the children, have been considered to contribute to the country’s economic value. The Hugo Chavez-lead government policies have given positive impact to the Venezuela peoples since around the half numbers of the Venezuela populations have enjoyed increasing in their life quality compared to the peoples from neighbouring countries in the Latin American region.
Another interesting example can be seen from the policies of the Argentine government. The Argentine government has taken a real step by requesting debt obligation recheduling to the global monetery institution. The objective of the debt reschedulling is to optimalize the internal state development expenses. The Argentine economic development is now considered to be extra-ordinary as four years ago Argentina had been given up to pay for the country’s debt. The economical situation and activities have been going down, unemployment and poverty increased sharply in a short time.
Cuban history as a whole is a bit different from its neighbouring countries. The situation in Cuba in terms of human rights, economy, social and culture, education and health development is not the same. However, as the development intensity of each country varies, there are so many aspect can be learn from the resurgence of the Latin American. The most interesting aspect is to learn the improvement process of the life quality which have been so much lacking behind from their neighbours in the North part.
July is the historical month for the Latin Americans. On July 5th, Venezuela celebrates its independence day, July 9th is Argentine independence day and on 25th-27th July Cuba celebrates its struggling independence day. July 24th was also celebrate the birthday of Simon Bolivar, the solidarity figure of the Latin Americans, the date has also been celebrated by some countries in the region
In relation between the Latin American resurgence to the solidarity day for the people of the world, we come up with a plan to launch some celebration events at the end of July. We have seen that the friendship between the citizens of Indonesia and the Latin America should be developed seriously for the sake of helping to create the future world which is more humance and justice.
Objectives
To increase the solidarity and the cooperation among Indonesians and the peoples of the Latin America, especially the peoples of Venezuela, Cuba and Argentina.
To introduce the underlying pro-citizen policies in Venezuela, Argentina and Cuba which support the arising of the Latin American resurgence.
Venue & Date
Galeri Publik
Jl. Diponegoro No. 9, Menteng. Jakarta Pusat 10310
Friday, July 31st 2009
10.00 – 22.00 WIB
The framework above was designed as the guidelines for the implementation of the SolidarityDay event. We hope that you could support the event and take part as participant. We are open for your advice and suggestion for the event. Your input will be fully appreciated. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerly yours,
FX Arifadi Budiarjo
Association of Latin America and Indonesian Friendship (PPIAL)
Contact person:
FX Arifadi Budiarjo
(021) 99 555 057/ 0811153687
Email: fxarifadi@gmail.com
