Annual Compass Conference Held
Going global in the fight against inequality
“Born Free and Equal” was the name of the agenda to the Annual Compass Conference. Former Mayor Ken Livingstone was part of the list of prominent figures. Venezuela participated in the workshop on Equality. 

Alvaro Sanchez, Counsellor of the Embassy of Venezuela in the UK

London (OPEV) – The Annual Compass Conference, held last Saturday June 14th at the Education Institute of London, was the framework for 15 lectures with the outstanding participation of prominent political figures of Britain, including former London Mayor Ken Livingtstone, and the Members of Parliament John Crudas and Helena Kennedy. The Embassy of Venezuela to the UK was invited to speak on the social inclusion promoted by the Bolivarian Revolution. In the afternoon session a workshop was held titled “Going global in the fight against inequality.” Guest speakers for this workshop were Professor Richard Wilkinson, of  the University of Nottingham; Mr. Alvaro Sanchez, Counsellor from the Venezuelan Embassy in London; Ms. Zoe Gannon, researcher at Compass Youth and Mr. Alejandro Olmos, an officer from the Spanish Socialist Party.

Aided by charts and figures, Professor Wilkinson explained how social problems, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, crime and others, tend to be higher in countries with high levels of inequality. Also, Wilkinson pointed out that Great Britain is at the bottom of the list of western European countries in terms of equal opportunities and social development.

Next, Sanchez explained that the main objective of the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela is to provide equal opportunities to everyone through participation and political empowerment. Sanchez pointed out that for over 500 years most Venezuelans have been victims of unfair discriminatory treatment by governments and authorities, a situation that is currently being fixed. Nowadays, groups such as women, peasants, indigenous populations, Afro descendants, amongst other groups that were usually disenfranchised, are now being taken into account. These groups, said Sanchez, are now enthusiastic political participants.

Gannon underlined the horrible consequences of globalization in terms of inequalities and injustices for the poor. Gannon explained that the poor are the weakest link in any economic relationship based on the current market conditions. For this reason, Gannon called for a fair representation of all groups in any negotiation or implementation of international programmes.

Finally, Olmos analyzed the current financial crisis and credit crunch. Olmos blamed speculation for such critical situation, which in his opinion has been fuelled by the banks. Additionally, he elaborated on the contradiction between the banks’ demands and expectations – They demand governments to deregulate, yet they expect governments to bail them out any time they are in trouble. “It is a double standard -criticised Olmos- where common citizens are always the ones who lose the most.”

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