Student Leaders Around the World - Venezuela's Yon Goicoechea

Modern human history is filled with examples of student protests that led to larger cultural shifts. Venezuela may be the next country to undergo a student led revolution.

Wall Street Journal reporter, Mary Anastasia O'Grady, covered the story of 23 year old Yon Goicoechea's student movement in Venezuela to confront the unchecked power of President Hugo Chavez.

Yon believes that Mr. Chavez runs a dictatorial government that is against the will of the people. Some of his protests drew up to 200,000 people. The government is well aware of the power of Yon's group, but Yon, in a very V for Vendetta way, is quick to pass the credibility on to the idea, not the person.

"We have generated a consciousness in the youth that doesn't depend on me. I could be dead or living in another county and it would go on. We have already won the future."

Many adults talk about the apathy of students now and how there is a lack of protesting like they had in the 1960s.



I'm not so sure current students are more apathic, but instead are active in different ways, e.g. on the internet rather than out on the street. Voter turnout among 18-25 year olds in national elections suggests that current students are actually more engaged now than in the past. I think the real question is what form of activism is more effective, or is it a mix of both?

Comments

[Tania]

alk about student leadership. Can we do an interview with this guy? I wonder if student activities would be more successful if they were either more controversial or if we had more dictatorial administrators to rebel against.

Tom, I think you make a great point that students these days are active in new, less visible ways. And as for the best form of activism, I'd say live action first because that's what wins people's loyalty and enthusiasm (plus media coverage) and then Internet for expanded reach. The again, I have yet to lead a rebellion: I'm much more of an activities than activism kind of gal.

[Tania]

Err.. that sentence was supposed to start with "Talk about student leadership." I'm not sure what "alking" means.

[Julia_1984]

The media coverage can make a lot of good or harm in the attempt of reaching to certain goals towards a student movement, but so far the Venezuelan one has reach their goals and beyond, although there's a lot of work to do. I don't think the youth are apathetic, I think we are rather... different some how and different ways of activism might not be good seen in the eyes of the adults. Although I'm pretty sure getting an interview with Yon is a hard task this days, I see you interested enough on the movement, so you might like reading my blog, since I was a part of that movement when it started and a witness afterwards. Regards, and excuses about my bad english

[Tania]

Hi Julia, thanks for your comment. Your blog is fascinating and very moving. I agree that we are "different somehow." An article I read recently said that the Gen Y generation is not rebellious like Gen Xers, but we stand up for our cause and are really into collaboration. I like that assessment.