Pachamama—La Universidad del ‘Buen Vivir’: A First Nations Sustainability University in Latin America

Abstract

The alternative development paradigm, ‘Buen Vivir’, positions community perspectives as the core of its vision. As an alternative to an (anthropocentric) vision it offers an inclusive socio-ecological idea, which regards ‘Mother Earth’ (called Pachamama) as a being with its own rights. This alternative vision puts ecological, socio-cultural, spiritual and political dimensions of an alternative path of development into play and suggests a new ethics of development. Based on the concept of ‘Buen Vivir’, indigenous educational concepts of Higher Education are developing and emerging, applying project-based learning methods. Topics for a sustainability university relate to the fields of water resources, coffee, sustainable nutrition, arts etc., as well as collective decision making, education, etc. In this vision, global solidarity for sustainable development supports ecosystem development and sustainable development. It develops studies in solidarity economy, water sustainability, Fair Trade and sustainable education. The paper begins with critiques and the global search for alternatives (1), and shifts to introduce the ‘Buen Vivir’ approach (2). In a third chapter, the state of the art of alternative and indigenous universities in Latin America will be addressed (3). In the fourth and final chapter, elements of the developmental vision of an intercultural and transcontinental Fair Trade University—the Universidad “Pachamama” will be presented (4).