Bolivia Rising Tour: Popular Leaders Visit Canada in October 2006

The SJF contributed $2,000 to the initiative led by the CUPW to bring leaders of the Bolivian Popular Movement to Canada in October 2006.

The delegation included trade unionists Lydia Robles and Alberto Camacho.

Lydia is the Women's Secretary for the Federation of Factory Workers of Cochabamba. Lydia and her union have been very active in the National Coordination for the Defense of Water and Gas.  

Lydia Robles

Alberto Camacho and Lydia Robles meeting Sudbury and District Labour Council

Alberto Camacho is a former leader of the National Miners Union and the Central of Bolivian Workers (COB).  Alberto is currently working as an organizer for the Bolivian Postal Union, pushed underground after the privatization of the Post Office by the former government.  

National Coordination in Defence of Water, Cochabamba

These organizations and their representatives played a role in the election of the new Evo Morales government which moved to nationalize the natural gas reserves in the country in its bid to develop a new social contract for the poor majority in Bolivia.

President Evo Morales speaking to the Social Summit for Peoples' Integration

The first delegation travelled to a number of cities in Ontario and then to Montreal as part of a public education tour on the role of unions and the popular movement in developing and defending the social policies of the Morales government.

Ottawa concert to welcome Bolivian delegation

Lydia addressing Toronto Symposium

SJF Contribution: $2,000 October 2006.