The Universidad Nacional de Colombia Looks for US Support to build the Tumaco Campus

 "The purpose of this travel "in collaboration with the Phelps Stokes foundation" is to present to several American and international authorities our project for a campus in Tumaco. The project makes part of the University"s inclusive policy. The Institution has already built different campuses in other remote places in the country, and now wants to open a campus at the heart of the Afro"Colombian communities, to provide them with high quality education," pointed out the President in a meeting with representatives from the mentioned foundation.

Phelps Stokes" mission is to respond to the educative needs of poor populations from rural and urban areas in Africa, Latin America and US, paying special attention to African descendents and indigenous communities. The foundation also maintains agreements with several high education institutions in Colombia, such as the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

 "Tumaco is located in an area denominated Choco Geográfico, which makes part of the Colombian Pacific Forest, where there is a high preponderance of African descendents. It is also an area where the State presence is scarce, with high poverty levels and where the social progress is the lowest in the country. It is then a key area within the fight for equality and social inclusion of Colombian ethnic groups. This is the most important reason for the Universidad Nacional de Colombia to make its presence felt with its educative programs in this area," added Professor Wasserman.

The delegation from the University also met with important organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, as well as various US congressmen.