Peruvian Center for Study of Economics Alternatives

Peruvian Center for Study of Economics Alternatives
Name	Peruvian Center for Study of Economics Alternatives
Native name	Centro Peruano de Estudios de Alternativas Económicas
Formation	1980s
Type	Think tank
Headquarters	Lima, Peru
Leader title	Director
Region served	Peru, Andean Region

Peruvian Center for Study of Economics Alternatives is an independent Lima-based think tank focused on public policy analysis, social welfare, labor markets, and development strategies in Peru and the Andean region. The center has engaged with academic institutions, civil society organizations, municipal administrations, and international agencies to produce policy briefs, research monographs, and training programs. Its work has intersected with debates involving political parties, labor movements, indigenous federations, and international financial institutions.

History

Founded in the 1980s during a period marked by hyperinflation and political turmoil, the center emerged amid interactions among actors such as Alan García, Abimael Guzmán, Alberto Fujimori, American Popular Revolutionary Alliance, Shining Path, and regional organizations like the Organization of American States. Early collaborators included scholars from Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, National University of San Marcos, and activists associated with Comité de Lucha por la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos and local trade unions. In the 1990s the center responded to structural adjustment programs advocated by the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and policies implemented by the Fujimori government. During the 2000s and 2010s it expanded networks with Inter-American Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and municipal governments such as Metropolitan Municipality of Lima.

Mission and Objectives

The center states objectives consistent with actors like International Labour Organization, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and regional platforms including Andean Community and Mercosur. Its mission emphasizes alternatives to orthodox prescriptions associated with Washington Consensus, promotion of social protection schemes similar to initiatives in Brazil and Chile, and advocacy for participatory processes observed in municipal reforms inspired by Decentralization in Peru and programs linked to ILO Decent Work agendas. Goals include capacity-building for local governments, policy dialogue with factions of Peruvian Congress, and technical assistance to federations such as Confederación General de Trabajadores del Perú.

Research Areas and Publications

Research themes have included poverty reduction strategies paralleling studies from World Bank, agrarian reform analyses in the tradition of scholarship on Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, urban labor studies referencing Lima Metropolitan Area, and extractive industry impacts linked to controversies like the Bagua conflict and operations of corporations such as Yanacocha. Publications have ranged from policy briefs to books, often citing methodologies used by researchers at London School of Economics, Harvard University, and University of Oxford. The center has published on fiscal policy debates involving ministries like Ministry of Economy and Finance (Peru), comparative welfare models from Argentina and Colombia, and environmental assessments connected to Peruvian Amazon and indigenous rights organizations such as CONAIE.

Organizational Structure and Funding

Governance structures typically mirror those of independent research institutes, with a board including academics from Universidad del Pacífico (Peru), representatives from NGOs like CARE Peru, and former public officials. Funding sources have included grants from entities such as Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, European Union, bilateral agencies like USAID, and project contracts with multilateral banks including Inter-American Development Bank. The center has maintained partnerships with universities including University of California, Berkeley, research networks like Latin American Social Science Council, and municipal agencies across provinces such as Cusco and Puno.

Programs and Projects

Notable programs addressed informal labor and social protection, echoing initiatives like Programa Juntos and conditional cash transfer models implemented in Bolivia and Ecuador. Projects have targeted urban planning in collaboration with the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, rural livelihoods with cooperatives in regions affected by mining activities tied to companies comparable to Buenaventura, and participatory budgeting pilots inspired by experiences in Porto Alegre. Training modules have been delivered for local officials, union leaders affiliated with CGTP (Peru), and indigenous organizations participating in consultations under frameworks akin to ILO Convention 169.

Influence and Impact

The center has influenced policy debates within ministerial forums such as Ministry of Labor and Promotion of Employment (Peru) and advisory panels to legislative commissions in Peruvian Congress. Its analyses informed municipal policy adaptations in cities like Arequipa and contributed to public discussions moderated by media outlets such as El Comercio (Peru), La República (Peru), and international outlets referencing Peruvian reforms including The New York Times and BBC News. Collaborations with international agencies have allowed input into regional strategies propagated by the Andean Development Corporation.

Controversies and Criticism

Critics have challenged the center's funding ties to donors like Open Society Foundations and bilateral agencies, arguing potential bias in positions on privatization and mining concessions reminiscent of disputes involving Yanacocha and the Bagua conflict. Political actors across the spectrum, including factions of Fujimorismo and activists linked to Sendero Luminoso sympathizers, have contested its recommendations. Academic critiques from scholars affiliated with Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and National University of San Marcos have debated its methodological approaches and normative assumptions, while some civil society groups have questioned its engagement with multinational corporations comparable to Southern Copper Corporation.

Category:Think tanks in Peru