In a speech at Harvard University, Maria Corina Machado, the exiled opposition leader of Venezuela, stressed the critical role of education in the nation's recovery from 27 years of authoritarian rule. Machado, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy, addressed a gathering of students, alumni, and Venezuelan expatriates, asserting that 'a country is rebuilt with citizens' formed in classrooms. She painted a dire picture of Venezuela's education system, revealing that over one million children are currently out of school and that the country has lost over 120,000 teachers. Machado unveiled her ambitious plan, 'Todos Aprender' ('Everybody to Learn'), which aims to reopen 5,000 schools, launch emergency infrastructure repairs, and implement universal school meal programs. She advocated for an education voucher system to allow families to choose schools, emphasizing that the state should guarantee the right to learn without monopolizing it. The event was part of Harvard's Venezuela Education Conference, which aimed to inspire action among Venezuelans living abroad. Machado's call to action resonated with attendees, many of whom expressed renewed hope for the future of their homeland.