¿WHO WE ARE?

Cimas Ecuador Foundation

We are a non-profit organization committed to the holistic development of individuals and their communities. Since 1997, we have worked alongside local and international partners to promote social justice, equity, and sustainable development. 

Our MISION is to foster the holistic development of human beings and the creation of participatory alternatives for local development, aimed at promoting social equity, by bringing together worldviews, knowledge, and wisdom from diverse peoples and cultures to build a more caring and supportive world.

Our VISION It is to establish an academic, research-oriented, and community-based technical cooperation organization that connects Ecuadorian and international universities, with the aim of creating spaces for dialogue linked to participatory processes for building alternatives for local development.

¿How Do We Do It?

From an intercultural, gender, and generational perspective:

  • We empower people: We offer holistic and innovative academic programs that foster critical thinking and community action.
  • We research to create change: We carry out participatory research to understand local realities and co-create sustainable solutions.
  • We connect with communities: We facilitate collaboration among different social actors to address shared challenges.

Our Institutional Identity

Visión de desarrollo
Nuestros aliados
Instalaciones

Fundación Cimas del Ecuador is an academic institution that seeks to apply concepts and theories to the local reality, highlighting their impacts and contradictions, while supporting local organizational processes to respond to community needs through research and the promotion of initiatives that foster sustainable and comprehensive development.

Research and participatory action in the environmental, social, cultural, and health and living conditions areas, with an intercultural, gender, and generational perspective, supporting participatory processes, sharing research results, and organizing scientific and popular dissemination events.

Throughout its institutional history, Fundación Cimas del Ecuador has developed various initiatives in academia, research, and the development of community programs and projects, in partnership with:

Universities: University of Minnesota, University of San Diego, Washington State University Consortium, ESPE University (Quito and Latacunga), Central University of Ecuador.

Organizations: FAO, UNICEF, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, European Union, Fulbright Commission, Adopt a Village, White Earth Tribal and Community College.

National and local public institutions: Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion, Pichincha Provincial Directorate, Ministry of Public Health, Rotary Club Quito Valle Interoceánico, University of Cuenca, Pichincha Provincial Council, Decentralized Autonomous Rural Parish Governments of Malchingui, Tupicachi, Tocachi, La Esperanza, Decentralized Autonomous Government of Pedro Moncayo Canton.

Civil Society Organizations

 
  • National Coordinating Corporation for the Defense of the Mangrove Ecosystem
  • Diverse Dialogue Foundation
  • Scalabrinian Mission
  • Center for Comprehensive Care for Women and Families (CAIMIFY)
  • Chamos from Venezuela
  • Hummingbird Wings Foundation
  • Our Youth Foundation
  • Wikiri Foundation
  • Pambiliño Forest School
  • Foundation Hermano Miguel
  • Diverse Dialogue Foundation
  • San Clemente Community
  • Ecuadorian Populorum Progressio Fund
  • CEDEAL Women’s Foundation
  • Santa Anita Cooperative Unorcac
  • Asdrúbal De La Torre Basic Hospital
  • San Luis De Otavalo Hospital
  • Seed Guardians Network
  • Scalabrinian Mission
  • Human Mobility Pastoral, Vicarate of Charity
  • REFIDER
  • Unorcac Jambi Moscaric
  • ECLOF
  • Fundación Azulado
  • Angels on 4 Paws
  • Intercultural Experience Pukyu Pamba
  • Cáritas
  • Warmi Pichincha

Fundación Cimas has a functional and comfortable 4-story building with a beautiful view of the city of Quito.

La infraestructura cuenta con:

 
  • 1 Auditorio con 60 butacas de capacidad y equipada con sistema de audio, video e iluminación.
  • 7 aulas equipadas.
  • 3 aulas magnas (una escalonada)
  • Laboratorio Informático con 15 computadoras e impresoras.
  • Salas de reunión para docentes y actores sociales.
  • Amplia cocina muy bien equipada y comedor para 60 personas.
  • 8 oficinas confortables para las áreas administrativas.
  • Áreas de estudio para el alumnado.
  • Sala de Lectura
  • Amplias salas de estar
  • Biblioteca
  • Canchas deportivas para fútbol y básquetbol.
  • Parqueadero con capacidad para 30 autos.

Cimas Team

Dolores López-Paredes

Dolores López-Paredes

Anthropologist, Master’s in Cultural Studies, and Ph.D. in Latin American Studies
President of Fundación Cimas and Co-Director of the Minnesota Studies in International Development Program. She coordinates community programs and participates in the design of academic plans, promoting a holistic, interdisciplinary, and intercultural vision. She provides academic and emotional support to students. Researcher in the ESPINA Project, actively involved in social and community initiatives.
José Suárez-Torres

José Suárez-Torres

Physician, Master’s in Public Health, and Ph.D. in Epidemiology.
President of Fundación Cimas and Co-Director of the Minnesota Studies in International Development Program. She coordinates community programs and participates in the design of academic plans, promoting a holistic, interdisciplinary, and intercultural vision. She provides academic and emotional support to students. Researcher in the ESPINA Project, actively involved in social and community initiatives.
Ana Patricia Lozada

Ana Patricia Lozada

Academic Coordination
Master’s in International Cooperation and Development. General Coordinator of CIMAS.
Raúl Ibarra

Raúl Ibarra

Academic Coordination
Child Psychologist and Psycho-Rehabilitator. Support in the Academic Coordination area.
Danilo Martínez

Danilo Martínez

Academic Coordination
Economist. Project Manager of the ESPINA Project at Fundación Cimas.
Franklin de la Cruz

Franklin de la Cruz

Community Projects
Experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Mónica Murillo

Mónica Murillo

Accountant
Certified Public Accountant, specialized in Accounting and Auditing.
Xavier Montalvo

Xavier Montalvo

Auditor
Certified Public Accountant, specialized in Accounting and Auditing.
Vicente Pintado

Vicente Pintado

Administrative Support (Janitor)
Esthela Sarango

Esthela Sarango

Administrative Support (General Services)
Marcelo Vega

Marcelo Vega

Student Transportation
According to the requirements of academic, research, and community projects.

Faculty List

MSID Program

MSID 4101 – Historical and Political Context

Interculturality and Anthropology

  • Eduardo Puente
    Lawyer. Master’s in Latin American Studies with a specialization in Cultural Policies.
  • Edison León
    Anthropologist. Ph.D. in Latin American Studies. Specialist in interculturality and local development, with a focus on Afro-Ecuadorian studies.
  • Dolores López
    Ph.D. in Latin American Cultural Studies. Master’s in Social Anthropology. Specialist in intercultural health.

Philosophy and Indigenous Worldview

  • Ariruma Kowii
    Bachelor in Social and Political Sciences. Ph.D. in Latin American Cultural Studies.
  • Fabiola Pijal
    Bachelor in Education Sciences. Specialist in educational administration and Andean worldview.
  • Enrique Cachiguango
    Indigenous Philosopher. Specialist in Andean worldviews.
  • Purikila Poveda
    Indigenous Leader. Ancestral Andean medicine.
  • César Guanolema
    Professional in Andean Medicine; Computer Science Engineer; postgraduate studies in Educational and Social Project Design, Leadership and Management, Qualitative Research Methodology, and Intercultural and Inclusive Education.

Gender

  • Soledad Varea
    Anthropologist. Ph.D. in Social Sciences with specialization in Political Studies. Master’s in Social Sciences with a specialization in Gender and Development.

MSID 4001 – Human Rights, Politics, and Practice

  • Danilo Arévalo Biologist, specialist in ecosystem-based climate change mitigation and adaptation.
  • Fanny Herrera
    Ph.D. in Social Communication. Master’s in Cultural Studies. Specialist in journalism, communication, and gender. Trained in Communication for Development.

MSID 4002 – Social Entrepreneurship and Microfinance

  • Yolanda Montalvo
    Economist with three master’s degrees in Economic Development, Business Organization and Management, and International Cooperation.

MSID 4003 – Public Health and Traditional Andean Medicine

  • José Suárez-Torres
    Physician. Master’s in Public Health. Ph.D. in Epidemiology. Specialist in development studies and public health.

  • Eduardo Ayala
    Physician. Specialist in health research and administration.

MSID 4004 – Environmental Challenges: From the Andes to the Amazon

  • Diana Bermúdez Loor 
    Biologist by profession, environmental educator, with experience
    working with communities and diverse audiences.
    Specialist in protected areas.

MSID 4896 – Internship in Ecuador

  • Soledad Varea
    Anthropologist. Ph.D. in Social Sciences with specialization in Political Studies. Master’s in Social Sciences with a specialization in Gender and Development.

MSID 4201 – Research in Ecuador

  • Elena Fernández
    Master’s in Sociology (research in Legal Sociology), FLACSO Ecuador.

MSID ECDR 3030W – Introduction to Latin American Cultures

  • Luis Ávila
    Bachelor in Education Sciences. Spanish as a Second Language Teacher.

MSID ECDR 3011W – Spanish Grammar and Writing Workshop

  • Karina Cornejo
    Bachelor in Education Sciences. Spanish as a Second Language Teacher.
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