About us, Buen Vivir France

Sumak Kawsay · Paris

Buen Vivir is a non-profit organization registered in Paris under the French law of 1 July 1901. Its main objective is to promote the richness and cultural diversity of Latin America, while fostering social and sustainable development in the region.

We are a non-profit organization based in Paris working for the recognition of the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples of the Amazon, particularly their relationship with the land and their traditional food systems. We build bridges between Europe and Latin America to make these knowledges visible, counter discourses that invisibilize or discriminate against indigenous communities, and create spaces for encounter and intercultural dialogue for the Latin diaspora in France. Through educational workshops, participatory projects, and direct partnerships with communities and local organizations, we develop and fund initiatives that strengthen food sovereignty and territorial justice in the most vulnerable regions of Latin America.

Complex historical dynamics have marginalised many Latin American cultures, leading to the loss and undervaluation of knowledge and artistic expressions that were silenced or subordinated to the dominant model. This has created cultural hierarchies that persist and contribute to inequality in the recognition of Latin American peoples. Aware of this reality, Buen Vivir is committed to fighting scientific and cultural colonialism.

We aspire to be a catalyst for change that promotes true epistemic and cultural democracy, where all cultures are recognised and respected.

Our mission

We are committed to building bridges between continents, spreading the cultural richness and ancestral knowledge of Latin America. Through our actions, we aim not only to share this heritage, but also to create spaces for encounter and dialogue that allow the Latin diaspora to reaffirm their roots and traditions.

Furthermore, our mission is to support sustainable development initiatives that strengthen social and environmental progress in Latin America, with particular attention to respecting the rights of indigenous peoples.

Our vision

We believe that social justice is achieved through the recognition and valorisation of the diverse cultural and intellectual contributions that shape our world. By fostering their exchange and integration in intercultural dialogues, we hope to contribute to a more just and inclusive society where every voice has its place and human diversity is fully appreciated.

We believe in a world where the diversity of knowledge and traditions is not only accepted, but celebrated as an invaluable richness for humanity.

Our values

Our values, Sumak Kawsay

Living Well, or Sumak Kawsay in Quechua, is a philosophical and constitutional principle based on the cosmovision of indigenous cultures of Latin America. This approach invites a way of life in harmony with nature, promoting balance between human beings and their environment, and prioritising collective well-being over the individual.

Harmony with nature
Nature is considered a living being with its own rights, not a resource to be exploited.
Cultural diversity and ancestral knowledge
Respect and preservation of diverse cultures, languages and traditional knowledge.
Collective well-being
Community well-being over personal gain, fostering solidarity and mutual support.
Equity and social justice
Equality and justice in all social relations, regardless of origin, class or gender.
Sovereignty and autonomy
Upholds the right of communities to self-determination, allowing them to make decisions about their own development.