Youth Makes Big Change in Chile

Chilean students conclude a year of activism that tossed them into the fray of national educational policy. The Washington Post applies an MTV coming-of-age veneer to a national student movement that pushed for more equitable funding and a more centralized control. Organizing very large events (hundreds of thousands) and meeting with government officials, these high schoolers affected change for a country inured to funding education differently for the rich and the poor--a common ailment the world over. The high school students enjoyed a lot support. Chile's people rallied behind the students with support as high as 70 percent at times.

WAPO ponders their futures, these youths with adult experiences. Will they govern, continue activism locally or nationally, teach, or reminisce the halcyon days? Having known a grown activist who changed the politics of Mexico during their student revolution, I'd wager a bit of all of the above.