Simon Bolivar Institute of Venezuela
The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia is boldly addressing a pressing issue: the launch of the International Forum on Colonialism and Imperialist Plunder.
On October 2, Caracas stood at the forefront of global discourse with the inauguration of the International Forum on Colonialism, Neocolonialism, and Territorial Plunder.
Experts and leaders from around the world converged to unequivocally condemn colonial practices and champion unity and international cooperation in the face of imperialist aggression.
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Colonial reparations are a set of measures aimed at compensating and repairing the historical and ongoing damage caused by colonial exploitation and oppression. These include economic compensation, restitution of cultural objects, acknowledgment of human rights violations, and the implementation of social justice policies, highlighted historian and president of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies “Rómulo Gallegos” (CELARG), Pedro Calzadilla, during the opening of the Panel: Reparations for Colonialism, as part of the International Conference “Colonialism, Neocolonialism, and the Territorial Plunder of Western Imperialism.”
“This forum will explore the use of resources within international organizations and the mechanisms to address systemic inequalities on the global stage, aiming to build a new world order based on equity, sovereignty, self-determination, and mutual respect,” he stated from the Casa Amarilla in Caracas.
Through videoconference, Hilary Beckles, President of the CARICOM Reparations Commission in Barbados, emphasized the need for an in-depth analysis of colonization. “The system created extractive and dependent economic models, perpetuating the concentration of wealth and power. Today, peoples around the world continue to resist all forms of colonialism, both historical and neocolonial, defending their territorial and cultural rights and their self-determination against resource exploitation, discrimination, and other forms of imposition,” he affirmed.
Regarding the policy of domination by imperial governments, June Soomer, Chair of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus and member of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, reiterated that peoples expect modernity to arrive with dignity, not as an imposition. “This imposed project destroyed cultures, dismantled economies, and sowed borders of blood; it masquerades as modernity but remains alive,” she added.
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Meanwhile, historian and university professor Juan Romero expressed his respect and fervent conviction within the framework of this international conference convened from Venezuela. “From this space, we raise a voice of hope and construction for a decolonized, just, and profoundly human world,” he concluded.
The day concluded with the participation of Clara Vidal, Minister of Popular Power for Indigenous Peoples, who praised Bolivarian unity, condemned the glorification of colonialism in Latin America, and emphasized the importance of solidarity in times of adversity.
The international conference, organized by the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs, continued on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4. It brought together scholars specialized in decolonization and international experts in social justice, political struggle, sovereignty, and alternative development.
Through videoconference, Hilary Beckles, President of the CARICOM Reparations Commission in Barbados, emphasized the need for an in-depth analysis of colonization. “The system created extractive and dependent economic models, perpetuating the concentration of wealth and power. Today, peoples around the world continue to resist all forms of colonialism, both historical and neocolonial, defending their territorial and cultural rights and their self-determination against resource exploitation, discrimination, and other forms of imposition,” he affirmed.
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Regarding the policy of domination by imperial governments, June Soomer, Chair of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus and member of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, reiterated that peoples expect modernity to arrive with dignity, not as an imposition. “This imposed project destroyed cultures, dismantled economies, and sowed borders of blood; it masquerades as modernity but remains alive,” she added.
Meanwhile, historian and university professor Juan Romero expressed his respect and fervent conviction within the framework of this international conference convened from Venezuela. “From this space, we raise a voice of hope and construction for a decolonized, just, and profoundly human world,” he concluded.
The day concluded with the participation of Clara Vidal, Minister of Popular Power for Indigenous Peoples, who praised Bolivarian unity, condemned the glorification of colonialism in Latin America, and emphasized the importance of solidarity in times of adversity.
The international conference, organized by the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs, continued on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4. It brought together scholars specialized in decolonization and international experts in social justice, political struggle, sovereignty, and alternative development.
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