Welcome

There is wide agreement among international organizations – such as the UN and the OAS – that civil society, especially NGOs, have an important role to play in ensuring that a country is governed justly and democratically.  NGOs advocate and communicate with the government and with each other, in the process strengthening a democratic culture that values citizen participation.  They promote tolerance, respect for human rights and empower citizens to participate in decisions that affect them.  They mobilize citizens and organizations to work together on issues of mutual interest.  They advocate for political reform, good governance, and strengthened democratic institutions.  In order to carry out this role, however, NGOs must be free to organize and associate freely.  A law has been introduced into the Venezuelan National Assembly – the Law of International Cooperation – which could potentially impede Venezuelan NGOs from being active participants in their country’s democracy.  The law proposes putting into place mechanisms to regulate the freedom of Venezuelan NGOs to associate with international partners.  The law, as written, would subordinate civil society to the State, rather than protect and promote the important role that NGOs play in a healthy democratic society – responsibilities of the government that are enshrined in the Venezuelan constitution. This site gives voice to Venezuelan NGOs and citizens, the Venezuelan Government, international organizations, and anyone around the world interested in learning more about the Law of International Cooperation.  This site provides an opportunity for discussion regarding what some are calling an assault on one of the cornerstones of Venezuelan democracy:  the NGO community.