The Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) are working together to promote collegial relations and academic cooperation.  On June 13^th 2011, EPAF welcomed a delegation of professors from UNBC to strengthen the relationship between the institutions and as a contribution to the development of teaching, research and other scholarly activities.

José Pablo Baraybar, director de EPAF, firma un convenio con el alcalde de Hualla, Wilber Pariona Paredes

EPAF accompanied the UNBC delegation to some of the communities most affected by the political violence in Ayacucho, in the provinces of Víctor Fajardo and Huancasancos (The Pampas Qaracha river basin); communities that are currently working arduously to achieve development and overcome poverty and exclusion.  In places such as Huamanquiquia, Sacsamarca and Hualla, EPAF had meetings with the local authorities to learn more about the towns’ current situation and the parties were able to sign “Cooperation Agreements” to continue doing work in the communities.  EPAF’s visit was also used to distribute Certificates from the Official List of Victims from the political violence (RUV) to the relatives of the disappeared. Peru offers many opportunities for the study of themes related to transitional justice, anthropology, poverty reduction, and development; which is why EPAF and UNBC will continue to join efforts and share experiences in these and other areas. EPAF would like to thank the people of Victor Fajardo and Huancasancos for their warm hospitality, and the UNBC delegation for their enthusiasm in fostering future academic exchange.