INSTITUTO VIDA
Institute for ecology, culture and development
Peru, London, Paris

The institute is a hybrid of cultural association, think tank and research centre and has roots going back to work at the London School of Economics in the 1920's. The centre specialises in the application of ecological, cultural and development studies to comparative UK/France and Andes/Peru projects. The contemporary institute has developed from a ecology centre near Chichester, Sussex (1929/84), a research centre at (what is now) London Metropolitan University(1986), Instituto Vida (1988) at Arequipa, Peru and the Andean Education Programme (PROANDE 1993).

Its principal investment in Peru has been for the establishment of a transnational open university, which the Institute believes can help to redress the "brain drain" which Peru is currently experiencing.

The name Vida means 'life' in Castillian Spanish. The Institute is also designed as a tribute to Vida and Ella Darrington.

For futher information click on menu items above or write to the Institute's forum by sending an email to the coordinator paulgoulder(at)yahoo.com {please replace the (at) with the 'aroba' sign}

See also current work

Chuwas y Quipus
Exhibition of pot-sculptures and khipus in Chelsea Old Town Hall
Centre for Peruvian Studies
Project for study centres in the main areas of residence in France and UK