The rural population of Chile has been served poorly by the formal educational system, rural educational attainment lags behind that of urban areas, and outmigration and alienation of rural youth are high. In the past decade, popular education has attempted to educate rural people and put them in control of their destinies by drawing on popular knowledge and culture and giving them a critical orientation. The education and self-expression program for peasant communities originated around 1985 in Chiloe (southern Chile) where most of the inhabitants are Huilliches, an indigenous people. Within the program, 17 groups of small rural landholders discussed concrete themes and problems of everyday life; organized themselves to settle problems; and communicated aspects of this process of reflection, discussion, and organization through a radio program and a bimonthly bulletin. The radio program developed a large audience that responded to broadcasts by mail, recounting their own community activities and discussing or expanding on program themes. Such communication is an integral part of the process of developing a critical consciousness, refining a world view, and transforming it into a basis for action. Several elements that are related to horizontal multilateral communication are increased self-esteem, valuing the spoken word, valuing personal experience and culture, development of a group spirit, and emphasis on collective learning. These elements reinforce the group in its collective problem-solving actions. (SV)