Who we are
The “Centro Bartolomé de Las Casas” was founded on May 25, 1974, by the initiative of four French members of the Dominican Order: Guido Delran Cousi (1937-2000), Jean-Baptiste Lasségue-Moléres (1926-2003), Jean Max Hugues (1942-2008), and Bernard Fulcrand Terrisse (1942-2010). Since its inception, the CBC, adopting a secular stance, has built a significant institutional history of intercultural, ecumenical, and social dialogue. Its common purpose is to promote and foster the study and understanding of the Andean-Amazonian rural world in all its dimensions. This world is viewed as a complex and challenging reality that must be engaged with in terms of its past, present, and future, underscored by a deep commitment to humanity. Like any institution deeply embedded in the country’s reality, the CBC has, over nearly half a century, navigated through various situations marked by significant achievements and challenges, always upholding constant integrity and recognized social commitment.
Vision
Our vision is to be a leading institution and a reference in action, research, reflection, tolerant debate, intercultural dialogue, alliance-building, and the management of multicultural and transcultural scientific knowledge. This is within a framework of organized strategies against climate change, serving policies that support the construction of governance based on “Buen Vivir” in the southern Andean Amazon region.
Mission
Located in the southern Andean and Amazonian regions, the CBC serves as a nexus for encounters between cultures, disciplines, knowledge, and worlds. Dedicated to marginalized communities, it aims to strengthen grassroots social actors with autonomy and build strategic alliances by supporting local socio-cultural processes, research, education, and the dissemination of knowledge. Our goal is to contribute to a democratic, intercultural, inclusive, and equitable society, within a framework of “Buen Vivir”.