Newsletter47

The weekly

Newsletter VOL. 2: ISSUE. 47, 5th December,2016

Bolivarian Government of Venezuela

Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs office of the Deputy Minister for Africa

Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Kenya concurrent to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia

Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat).

BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA MINISTRY FOR PEOPLE'S POWER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMUNIQUÉ The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela celebrates the agreement signed between member countries of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut production of crude oil.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela celebrates the historic agreement reached during the 171st Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in which member countries decided, for the first time since 2008, to cut production, in order to restore the balancing of the world crude oil market and achieving fair prices for this non-renewable natural resource.

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, deployed a diplomatic offensive in OPEC and the main oil producers outside the Organization from January 2015 until today to stop the fall in prices of the crude that generated the longest low price crisis in the last 45 years.

This agreement reflects the tireless efforts of Venezuela for almost two years in search of a consensus to stabilize the oil market and lessen the perverse effects of financial speculation and future markets in hydrocarbon production, revitalizing the role of OPEC in balancing the economic and geopolitical forces that intervene in the world economy.

The main non-OPEC producers will join in the cut in production agreed unanimously by OPEC members in the coming days which will facilitate a gradual stabilization of the market and pave the way for better growth prospects in the Sector of hydrocarbons, necessary to guarantee the energy that humanity requires. This decision is part of the path to the first agreement in history between the major OPEC producers and non-OPEC, building new oil geopolitics.

In celebrating the agreement, we acknowledge the legacy of the Supreme Commander Hugo Chavez, who in 2000 made possible the second summit of Heads of State and Government of OPEC, which became the re-foundation of the Organization when it resumed its fundamental role in the defense of the sovereign right of the producing countries over their natural resources, and the establishment of a fair value for their commercialization.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms that only countries that preserve their independence in the framework of international law will be able to sustain a sovereign energy policy, and they will be able to rescue control of the oil market from the hands of the speculators in order to return to the leading role of producers in a good balance of the world economy.

Caracas, 1st December, 2016 www.mppre.gob.ve

WHATS INSIDE

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Communiqué

2.

Ar�cle: Fidel also lives in Africa

3.

UNESCO recognizes Venezuela

4.

Reflec�on of economic development in the tourism sector

5.

Promo�ng the unknown about Africa

Fidel also lives in Africa In 1990, the fighter Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa, thanks to a vigorous international campaign, thereby placing the apartheid regime to live its last days. But it was certainly the Cuban participa-tion in Angola and the decisive victory obtained in the battle of Cuito Canavale in 1987 the one that made the opprobrious regime of racial segregation that then ruled in South Africa to stumble, forcing it to sit at a negotiating table.

It was then that a great victory for the African people was concluded: the cessation of hostilities in Angola, the inde-pendence of Namibia and the transition to an inclusive electoral pro-cess in South Africa.

That is why, once released, Mandela makes his first foreign visit, precisely to Cuba. There, at Revolution Square in Havana, before an enthusiastic crowd, alongside Fidel, Mandela expresses his appreciation, such as that of the South African people, because of the support provided by the Government and revolutionary people of Cuba for the liberation of an entire continent.

But Cuban support was not only restricted to these three countries, wherever there was oppression, Fidel and the revolutionary Cuba were willing to lay down their lives for the liberation of the people. That is why they not only participated in the liberation of Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, but also they were present in Ethiopia and Sahrawi Republic. It was not only military support but also technical, from health-care personnel to civil engineers, actively participating in the construction of the new nations, as they did in Congo, Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Mali and many others.

That is why African countries' acknowledgement towards Cuba is firm and sincere and therefore Africa is plunged into mourning because of this sad news. We could summarize that grief in the words of Ghana-ian President Jhon Dramani Mahama: "Comrade Fidel Castro will always remain in our hearts and thoughts, he helped to improve the world", or that made by Angolan President JosĂŠ Eduardo Dos Santos: "Fidel Castro was a unequaled figure that marks an epoch for the role played in his country and in the great transformations of humanity, for freedom, social justice and the development of people".

This internationalism would be one of the hallmarks of Fidel and the Cuban revolution that even in the most difficult moments has not ceased to offer its unconditional and disinterested support to the people of the world. Its internationalism has also resulted in the training of youth from all five continents in Cuba, reaching over 40,000 professionals, most of them doctors. As well as the thousands of Cuban doctors departing on international missions to save lives around the world.

Fidel knew that the unity of the people of the South was fundamental not only for their subsistence as a nation but to achieving political sovereign and the improvement of their lives. For this reason he fostered the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, of which the Havana has hosted on two occasions. He established a deep friendship with Commander ChĂĄvez, which in the political field resulted in the creation of CELAC and ALBA-TCP, important mechanisms for the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean. That is the socialism that Fidel proclaimed and that from Cuba it continues illuminating the whole world.

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By Carlos Feo Centre of African American and the Caribbean Knowledge CUMBE Bulletin No: 24 29th November, 2016

UNESCO recognizes Venezuela

For the fifth time we are Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity The Carnival of Callao - a celebration with more than 120 years of antiquity - became on Thursday 1st December, the fifth Venezuelan cultural practice that enters the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage carried out by the United Nations Organization Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).

This festival, celebrated in the southern part of the Bolivar state since 1870, is a tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation and represents the fusion of the culture of the people of the Caribbean to the rhythm of the calypso callaoense, the festival that takes place is interpreted with instruments of percussion, like the Bum-Bac, and drums of different sizes. Each year, the bands of the groups, which are 98, compose unpublished songs that are also part of the cultural and traditional heritage.

The note highlighted the transfer of this cultural practice to the new generations that begins in the families of El Callao but also takes place in schools by cultists of this tradition. "In which children acquire the necessary skills to participate in the carnival, composing melodies, playing musical instruments, singing, dancing and making masks," the note added.

Four other cultural practices typical of the Venezuelan people have been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: In 2015, Unesco's list of traditional knowledge and techniques related to the cultivation and processing of curagua was included in Unesco's list; In 2014, The oral tradition Mapoyo and its symbolic referents in the ancestral territory; In 2013, the parranda of San Pedro de Guarenas and Guatire and in 2012 the Diablos Danzantes, which has eleven expressions in different regions of the country.

Reactions The president of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, stressed that the town of El Callao, in Bolivar state, with El Carnaval de El Callao, represents the diverse, joyful and cultured culture of all of Venezuela.

Also participating are the "black-half-pinto", who represent the gold-mining workers, as well as the artisanal miners who sought gold in the nearby rivers with their "pits" and shovels.

He stressed that the people of Venezuela managed to reach a higher level of culture thanks to the revolutionary process led by Commander Hugo Chávez.

"Venezuela in Revolution carries the highest Another infallible personage is the "devil", level of culture, our identity, the new Venezuelanity figure with great masks and numerous horns that that aroused our commander Hugo Chávez as leader whip with whip to drunk and "sinful”. During the of our values, a cheerful, rebellious people who meeting of the intergovernmental committee that met always have a smile and a face Look of certainty and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UNESCO released the security about the future, "said the President. information through a press release, which detailed: "From January to March, this traditional festival www.avn.info.ve groups Up to about 3,000 participants who parade through the streets of the town disguised as historical or imaginary characters to the rhythm of the calypso.’’

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International Pavilion: A reflection of economic development in the tourism sector The International Pavilion reflected the will to invest in Venezuela Margarita Island, 29.11.2016 - The Stand of the Republic of India, located in the International Pavilion, was the most visited during the eleventh International Tourism Fair of Venezuela (FitVen) 2016. Belarus, China, Colombia, Cuba Russia and Aruba, shared this space full of culture and traditions.

In this international space, the commercialization between national and international factors was promoted while stimulating the Receptive Tourism with the presentation of emblematic destinations of Venezuela. There were also opportunities for the exchange of goods and services among the invited countries.

In addition, the Ministry of peoples Power for Trade and Investment participated in promoting the international commercialization of all the national products, offered by small and medium enterprises, and the actors of the popular economy. In that sense, business intentions showed a high level of interest on the part of those attending the largest tourist showcase in Venezuela.

Businessmen continue to trust investment in Venezuela Oscar Fernรกndez, Venezuela's chief operating officer at Hotel Resorts Hesperia, said he was satisfied with the

professionalism of the fair and the number of markets available to make business connections.

"From Hesperia we recognize the support received from the National Government through the Ministry of peoples power for Tourism (Mintur) to promote the sector at national and global level," he said.

Likewise, Juan Carlos Palacios, general manager of Hotel Marriot de Venezuela, assured that the fair reached a very high level. "Soon, with the support of the National and Regional Executive, we will be inaugurating the Hotel Marroit Maracay in mid-2017," he said.

In this way, the activities that were carried out in this world meeting were directed to the commercial and promotional approach.

Knowledge and recognition of those involved to plan and consolidate economic relations for the benefit of all.

With the support of the National Government, the economy is boosted through the tourism sector! www.mintur.gob.ve 4

Promoting the unknown about Africa The dance and music with arched lira of the Madi people of Uganda declared intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO

The dance and music with arched lira of the Madi people of Uganda declared intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO in a session held at Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

The dances and songs to the music of the arched lyre constitute one of the oldest cultural practices of the Madi people of Uganda.

The traditional songs and dances interpreted alongside this instrument for marriages and festivities for good harvests, among other events, serve to strengthen family ties and transmit the culture

of the community. The manufacture and use of the lira are accompanied by the celebration of various rituals.

It is the older people who transmit this traditional cultural practice to the younger ones, whose continuity is in danger of disappearing because young people consider it to be obsolete and because the materials used to manufacture the musical instrument come from endangered animal and plant species. www.africafundacion.org

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