Our goals include:

• Support sustainable development processes at the local level, based on participatory research activities with grass root, national and international organizations.

• Contribute to local human resource development.

• Develop scientific research of environmental and living conditions and health related issues of different population groups in Ecuador .

• Provide technical assistance to local organizations in identifying alternative development.

Cimas directs these programs in partnership with selected Universities in the United States . Most of its members have long academic and research experience for more than 20 years.

The international collaborative programs with the Learning Abroad Center of the University of Minnesota in Ecuador since 1989, the Consortium of Public Universities of the State of Washington (EQWA) since 1994, and the Multidisciplinary International Research Training Program (MIRT) of the Department of Epidemiology of the University of Washington, with support from the Fogarty Foundation, since 1995. Special short term programs have been conducted with the Fulbright Comission and several universities.

Cimas is a member of the US Consular Warden System in Ecuador, and is regularly informed of any situations that may affect the students, from political situations (strikes, demonstrations, etc) to natural disasters (eruptions, floods, travel warnings, etc.).