Lima, July 4, 2007.- The Andean Community (CAN), by bringing together in Lima indigenous intellectuals and researchers from the Andean countries to reflect on the major problems of our times and put forward the corresponding proposals, "paved the way" for the incorporation of the indigenous cosmic vision into the subregional integration process.

At the opening of this First Forum of Indigenous Intellectuals and Researchers, the Secretary General of the Andean Community, Freddy Ehlers, drew attention to the presence of the most enlightened indigenous intellectuals and considered that the forum offered a “great opportunity” for them to formulate proposals about development, climate change, the situation of indigenous nationalities and peoples, and, in general, the world’s major problems. 

He went on to express his hope that it will be possible to hold events of this kind every year because --he pointed out-- “the idea is that civil society should be represented in the CAN, thereby putting into practice the new idea of comprehensive integration-- in other words, integration that is not only economic, but also social, educational, cultural and political.” 

Before the opening ceremony, a folklore dance recital and purification ritual were performed, followed by the words of welcome spoken by CAN General Secretariat Director Adalid Contreras, who emphasized the opening of the integration process to the indigenous cosmic vision, as well as the support provided by Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca for holding this forum. 

Over thirty indigenous intellectuals and researchers from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru will participate in the forum, which will last for another two days, together with special guests from Argentina and Chile, who will reflect on and discuss the thinking, economics, science and technology of the subregion’s indigenous nationalities and peoples and will put forward proposals.   

The speakers will be well-known intellectuals and researchers, like Antonio Peña Cabrera, professor of Philosophy at the University of San Marcos in Peru; Luis Maldonado Ruiz, candidate for Ecuadorian National Assemblyman and President of the School of Government and Public Policy for the Nationalities and Peoples of Ecuador; Julio Valladolid Rivera, Director of the Andean Peasant Technologies Project, and Manuel Lajo, former Congressman and Director of the magazine, Nueva Economía del Perú.