Within the framework of the five years of life of the Amazonian Bilingual Intercultural Education Network (REIBA) Monsignor David Martínez de Aguirre, president of the Network, shares a heartfelt reflection on the path taken and the horizon that opens for education with identity in the Amazonian territories.
“It is a great joy to commemorate these five years. It is to see how a dream born from the Synod for the Amazon has become a reality,” says Bishop Martínez. Since its inception, REIBA has responded to a common cry from local Churches: to strengthen an education based on intercultural dialogue, recognizing and valuing the languages, worldviews, and traditions of Indigenous peoples.
A network at the service of the people
REIBA was conceived with the awareness that many educational efforts in the Amazon were isolated. Joining the network has allowed us to share experiences, join forces, and support local processes in six Amazonian countries. “The network has grown with great enthusiasm, thanks to the dedication of people like Father Pablo Mora and so many volunteers, religious sisters, and lay people who have generously contributed to remote communities,” recalls Bishop David.
Over the years, REIBA has promoted the training of Indigenous teachers, supported pastoral processes, and fostered an inculturated liturgy. Particularly significant has been the creation of teaching materials that respect the rhythm and worldview of the communities, such as Indigenous calendars and the recovery of ancestral songs, stories, and knowledge.
Educate without giving up
One of REIBA main contributions has been to counter the narrative that devalues Indigenous cultures. “Bilingual intercultural education offers a real alternative to the pressure many people feel to abandon their identity in order to ‘progress’ in the Western world,” notes the network’s president. Rather, it’s about strengthening cultural roots without giving up the tools that allow for dialogue with the world.
REIBA has managed to connect isolated territories, inspire educators and community leaders, and generate training processes that dignify Indigenous peoples. It has also mourned the passing of great allies like Professor Lucy Trapnell, a tireless advocate for Indigenous education in Peru.
A mission that is just beginning
Five years after its founding, REIBA is projected as a strategic platform for strengthening education in the Amazon. But the challenge is immense. “We have huge gaps to close. We cannot give up. Our children and young people deserve the best: a quality education that respects their identity and prepares them for a future of freedom,” says Bishop Martínez.
The call is to join forces. “This task is so enormous that we cannot do it alone. We need to combine will, resources, human and material capabilities. Because defending people’s education also means defending the life, culture, and future of our Amazon region.”