Indigenous youth are the future leaders of the Amazon. However, the small but growing number who pursue higher education face an academic system which lacks cultural awareness and doesn't address the challenges and needs of their communities. The Amazon, and the wellbeing (Buen Vivir) of Indigenous communities, require that young people stay connected to their roots. This project supplements their academic education with tools to promote their communities' welfare from their professional fields.
Only 3.25% of the Indigenous population in Peru's Loreto region complete higher education. Economic, cultural, and academic barriers hinder both their access and ability to complete their studies. Those who succeed often receive an academic education that disconnects them from their traditional knowledge and values. Many stay in cities, and those who return often push western development models. This leads to the assimilation of indigenous peoples and a "brain drain" from the Indigenous world.
We work with nearly 100 students from 15 different Amazonian peoples. We implement initiatives to improve their living and study conditions, and provide academic tutoring and personal support. Through a "Good Living" projects lab and intercultural dialogue spaces, students learn and develop alternatives for their communities. This includes internships at our Permaculture Center, thesis research guidance, and pilot projects in agroforestry, traditional medicine, and natural product transformation
More Indigenous students will reach their potential as professionals, empowered to culturally and appropriately improve their communities' living conditions. This is particularly crucial for Indigenous women, whose access to education is significantly less than that of men. By strengthening students' cultural identity and engagement, they will become key advocates for their rights and culture throughout the Amazon.
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