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To continue Anne’s important work in applying anthropological methodology into development programs, projects, and plans for indigenous peoples throughout the world.

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Tribute to Anne Marie Deruyttere

“The Institute for International and European Studies “Francisco de Vitoria” of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Intercultural Indigenous University (UII) of the FILAC honored Anne Marie Deruyttere, an anthropologist committed to advancing the rights of indigenous peoples. She played a key role in both the creation of the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) and in launching the Expert Title on Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and International Cooperation. Currently, the Anne Marie Deruyttere Indigenous Peoples Foundation seeks to continue Mom’s important work to apply anthropological methodology to programs, projects and development plans around the world by supporting the training of graduates and leaders of indigenous peoples of the Latin American and Caribbean region through scholarships for the Expert Title.

The link to a YouTube video below is for the tribute which took place on July 16, 2021. The speakers in order are:

Opening of the event and welcome:  Juan Daniel Oliva Martínez – Co-Director of the Title of Expert in Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and International Cooperation

Biography of Anne Marie Deruyttere: Christopher Rigaux, President of the Anne Marie Deruyttere Foundation

Importance of Anne Marie Deruyttere’s work at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): John Renshaw, Member of the Board of Directors of the Anne Marie Deruyttere Foundation

Anne Marie Deruyttere’s Lasting Impact on International Policies with the World Bank: Maria Da Cunha, Member of the Board of Directors of the Anne Marie Deruyttere Foundation

Anne Marie Deruyttere’s leadership in creating FILAC and her work with Indigenous Peoples: Diego Iturralde – Consultant of the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC)

Video: For a person who does not belong to an Indigenous People, for example, a committed anthropologist like Anne Marie Deruyttere, what would be your message on how to support the processes of implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples?  Alejandro Ramiro Chán Sáquic, from the Maya K’iche ’People of Guatemala – Fellow of the Anne Marie Deruyttere Foundation

Video: For a person who does not belong to an Indigenous People, for example, a committed anthropologist like Anne Marie Deruyttere, what would be your message on how to support the processes of implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples?  Shelley Beatriz Cabrera Gamarra, from the Quechua People of Peru – Fellow of the Anne Marie Deruyttere Foundation

Closing of the event by Juan Daniel Oliva Martínez, Co-Director of the Title of Expert in Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and International Cooperation
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ANNE'S STORY
How it all began
One of Anne's greatest influences was Rigoberta Menchu. In 1992, Rigoberta Menchu became the first indigenous person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Although somewhat controversial, Rigoberta came to international attention with the publication of "I...Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala." 

This gripping account of the social injustices and horrors foisted on the indigenous peoples sparked worldwide concern. Anne first met Rigoberta in 1982; the Commission for Justice in Peace in Brussels had invited Rigoberta to speak, and Anne served as her aide-de-camp while she was in Belgium. Their paths would cross yet again, when Anne was asked to introduce the now Nobel Prize winner at a speech in Washington, DC, before many members of the international community, including World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank members. Anne is pictured second from the left standing next to Rigoberta Menchu in Washington, DC.
THE GOOD PEOPLE SUPPORTING US
Meet our board members
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BOARD CHAIR
Chris Rigaux
An American, Chris Rigaux started the Foundation to continue the work of his wife, the noted anthropologist Anne Marie Deruyttere. Rigaux worked for 15 years in health communications around Washington DC. Notably, he was the communications director for the National Center for Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University, as well as the publications director for the ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education at George Washington University. A long-time advocate, he is currently serving as press liaison for the Bethesda African Cemetery Coaltion.
A Belgian national, Frans Godts recently retired after five years as an Executive Director at the Board of the World Bank Group, representing the constituency of Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Turkey. In a career that spans more than 35 years, Mr. Godts has held multiple positions at international development organizations such as the United Nations and the Inter-American Development Bank as well as in various branches of the Belgian government. From 2005 until joining the World Bank Group, he held the position of Administrator, International and European Financial Affairs, in the Belgian Ministry of Finance. From 1991 to 2005, Godts was the Director-Coordinator of the International Financial Relations in the Belgian Treasury. He also served as the Alternate Executive Director as well as the Special Advisor to the Executive Director in the Inter-American Development Bank from 1985 to 1990. Other highlights of Godts career include Counselor in the Belgian Ministry of as well as Associate Expert at the United Nations Department for Technical Cooperation.
BOARD MEMBER
Franciscus August Godts
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BOARD MEMBER
Maria 
Da Cunha
A Brazilian citizen with more than 25 years of experience in different aspects of development projects. Currently at the World Bank, Da Cunha also worked as a senior member of the Inter-American Development Bank's legal and technical teams on different phases of development projects and policies. She also has significant experience in developing regional safeguard standards, in particular the IDB's social safeguard policies, and also the development of the common approach to safeguards for the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund.
A British citizen with over 20 years of experience in social and institutional issues in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Renshaw has helped develop policy implementation for major multilateral institutions, including the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation. Among other topics, he is an expert in indigenous peoples and the social aspects of environmental projects, including protected areas, social forestry, watershed management, and irrigation projects.
BOARD MEMBER
Jonathan Renshaw
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BOARD MEMBER
Jan 
Servaes
A Belgian citizen, Servaes is Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Media and Communication at the City University of Hong Kong; UNESCO Chair in Communication for Sustainable Social Change, and Director of the SBS Center “Communication for Sustainable Social Change” at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Honorary Guest Professor at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Researcher at the “Brussels Center for Journalism Studies,” Belgium; Editor-in-Chief of Telematics and Informatics: An Interdisciplinary Journal on the Social Impacts of New Technologies; Editor-in-Chief of Communication for Development and Social Change: A Global Journal (SAGE); Editor of the Southbound Book Series Communication for Development and Social Change; and Editor of the Lexington Book Series Communication, Globalization and Cultural Identity.
An American citizen, Aruna Miller recently stepped down from serving in the Maryland House of Delegates for District 15. Maryland's Legislative District 15 is Montgomery County's largest district both in terms of geographic area and population. Miller is the first Indian American woman to be elected to the Maryland legislature. Miller has worked in Virginia, Hawaii, and California. For over 25 years, Miller worked in Montgomery County as a civil engineer. She has overseen programs that advanced access to schools, employment centers, and community facilities that are safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and those with disability. In 2015 she retired from Montgomery County to devote her full attention to her service in the Maryland legislature.
BOARD MEMBER
Aruna Miller
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BOARD MEMBER
Ed Hall III
A Native American, Ed Hall is the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ coordinator for tourism and has helped establish the BIA’s outreach and support to tribal capacity building for tribal tourism and trade. He represents the BIA as the point of contact on Interagency Memorandums of Understanding. Mr. Hall was appointed to the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in 1993 and helped establish the Inter-Tribal Transportation Association and the TRB committee on Native American Transportation Issues ABE80. He also helped to form and develop the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) as the professional American Indian tourism organization representing Indian Country to the tourism industry in 2002.
A SPECIAL THANKS
In kind donations
  • Photographer Eric Lee donated a number of photos used on this site from his humanitarian trips.