In a rapidly changing world, the urgency to protect nature is undeniable. However, there is an uncomfortable truth we must confront. The climate change and biodiversity crisis, largely caused by the West's lifestyle and consumption patterns, disproportionately affects communities in Africa and all of the global South. And that's not all. In the West, we often envision conservation through romanticized images of pristine natural landscapes inhabited by charismatic megafauna, leading to generous financial support for conservation organizations..These conservation organizations often displace communities by creating pristine nature wildlife reserves or parks, and thus conservation refugees expelled from their ancestral lands. Ironically, it is these very communities that have conserved the areas through their lifestyles and ancestral knowledge of the land and ecosystems. Conservation is an exceedingly intricate reality, deeply entangled with the history of colonialism and the global capitalist market. Its geopolitical implications and impact on Indigenous and local communities should not be underestimated. While the concept of protected areas appears deceptively simple and universal, it masks a complex and at times violent and corrupt reality. Stripping away the powerful myth-making machine surrounding conservation requires a candid and unflinching gaze into its inner workings..Guiding us on this journey to explore the path of decolonizing conservation is Dr. Aby Sène-Harper, a distinguished faculty member in Parks and Conservation Area Management at Clemson University, South Carolina. Her groundbreaking research delves into the intersections of parks and protected areas governance, livelihoods, nature-based tourism, and the relationship between race and nature. With her extensive writings on the colonial structures of power and conservation, Dr. Aby Sène-Harper has shed light on essential issues that demand our attention and action. We are eager for our listeners to join us in exploring her extraordinary work, as it inspires all to embark on a transformative journey towards decolonizing conservation..WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Portuguese here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights.html.AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION:- WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation- TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF- LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
It's impossible to discuss the global climate and biodiversity crisis without talking about the Amazon. Deforestation, illegal mining and logging have reached alarming levels in recent years, pushing crucial ecosystems to the brink. The Amazon bears the visible scars of our collective impact on the planet: pollution, overconsumption, inequality, alienation.In Brazil, Indigenous communities continue to struggle for their right to inhabit and manage their land. Their lives are under constant threat, despite their globally recognized invaluable contribution to our environmental well-being. Colonization is far from over, and survival is on the line for many of these communities.It's a critical time to listen to people like Ana Rosa de Lima, the founder of Meli Bees Network, who works to protect Indigenous Peoples' rights and self-determination. Drawing from her Indigenous ancestry and driven by the ecological, cultural, and social tragedy unfolding in the Amazon, Ana Rosa and a generation of Amazonian leaders established Meli Bees. Their goal is to strengthen land protection and regeneration through Indigenous and local-led projects. Ana Rosa is committed to amplifying the voices of the communities she works with and creating networks of knowledge, solidarity, and allyship to tackle the enormous challenges we face..WATCH a video version of this interview (English and Portuguese subtitles available) or READ transcripts in English and Portuguese here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-ana-rosa-de-lima.html.Learn more about Meli Bees Network: https://www.meli-bees.org.AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION:- WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation- TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF- LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
Earlier this year, Azimuth World Foundation, in collaboration with Jamii Asilia Centre and Global Wisdom Collective, co-hosted a side event at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. This event provided a platform for our partners to share the framework of "Revitalize the Roots," an intergenerational knowledge-sharing project they have developed for the Endorois community in Kenya. But the event also allowed us to hear from remarkable speakers who shared their experiences in passing down traditional Indigenous knowledge to the younger generations.Among these inspiring speakers was Christine Kandie, a member of the Endorois community and the Executive Director of the Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (EIWEN). Founded in 2016, EIWEN initially served as an advocacy platform for the rights of Endorois women, girls, and individuals with disabilities. Over the years, it has grown in its ambition to champion the rights of Indigenous communities all over Kenya and across Africa.The Endorois people have twice faced forced evictions from their ancestral lands. The first was prompted by the government to create a game reserve for tourism development, and the second was due to the devastating impacts of climate change. Christine's unique perspective as an Endorois woman and a person with a disability enables her to present the importance of intersectional approaches in securing the rights of Indigenous Peoples with much more clarity. EIWEN's distinctive approach encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, aiming to holistically improve the lives of those it serves. From empowering Indigenous women to assume leadership roles to documenting traditional knowledge and integrating it into resource management through the creation of the Endorois Biocultural Protocol, EIWEN has made significant strides.Ms. Kandie has taken her experiences and powerful message to international platforms, gaining visibility and garnering support for her community's struggles. She has also forged global alliances and is a shining example for countless communities facing similar challenges. We are truly honored that she has joined us on "Connecting the Dots.".WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Spanish here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-christine-kandie.html.Keep up with EIWEN’s inspiring work: https://endoroisindigenouswomen.org.AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION:- WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation- TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF- LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
According to Global Witness, three people are killed every week while trying to protect their land and their environment from extractive forces. Many are Indigenous Peoples, whose stewardship of their territories has been key to the maintenance of balanced, biodiverse ecosystems. Drilling, mining, logging, intensive agriculture, the threats are too many to count, as are the ways in which they affect these communities, whose relationship to the land is often their material, cultural and spiritual backbone.Indigenous rights are not only violated by these aggressors, but also by governments who fail to implement crucial articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, such as the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent. More than ever, Indigenous communities need legal assistance to protect environmental defenders from unjust criminalization, to identify and take legal action against invaders, to hold aggressors responsible and to guarantee that the laws that are supposed to protect Indigenous communities are enforced and implemented.That’s exactly the kind of of support that EDLC - Environmental Defender Law Center has been providing for over 20 years. EDLC finds private lawyers to work for free on the behalf of communities looking for legal assistance, but also provides resources and grants. The organization specializes in cases of international significance, where innovative legal strategies can be developed and later replicated to help other environmental defenders. During this year’s International Funders for Indigenous Peoples global conference we crossed paths with EDLC staff attorney Fernanda Venzon, who generously shared with us extremely valuable insights from EDLC’s vast, global experience defending environmenntal defenders..WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Spanish here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-the-environmental-defender-law-center.html.Learn more about Environmental Defender Law Center’s current and past cases, and overall mission here: https://edlc.org.AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION:- WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation- TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF- LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
An inspiring conversation with the Asháninka activist and filmmaker in training, who is bringing visibility to the struggles of Indigenous women and girls in her native community of Cushiviani (Satipo, Peru)..Throughout history, cinema has often perpetuated stereotypes and misrepresented Indigenous Peoples, their communities, aspirations, and wisdom. Today, storytelling still tends to prioritize narratives about Indigenous Peoples rather than amplifying Indigenous authors’ own voices.But initiatives such as the Indigenous Cinema program developed by Chirapaq (Centro de Culturas Indígenas de Perú) are working to bring Indigenous creators to the forefront. By providing equipment and building capacity in filming and editing skills among Indigenous youth in Peru, Chirapaq's workshops enable them to explore and shed light on the issues that matter most to them. The result is a collection of original and powerful short films that challenge conventions.Among these talented creators is Sofía Chapay Marcos, a young Asháninka activist who recently presented her community's short film, "Noñantarí," at the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples Global conference. Translated as "what I really live and feel" in Sofía's Native Asháninka, it’s a strikingly honest portrait of the profound violence experienced by the children in her community. The courage displayed by these young storytellers has sparked intergenerational reflection within the community, brought attention to the crisis of violence perpetrated by outsiders near Sofía's village, and resonated deeply with international Indigenous audiences.The issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls is a global crisis, and films like "Noñantarí" are instrumental in fostering global solidarity among Indigenous communities. We are immensely honored that Sofía accepted our invitation to be interviewed for "Connecting the Dots." Her inspiring work, profound wisdom, and unwavering love for her community make this interview a very special one for us. Sofía’s story is for her to tell..WATCH a video version of this interview or READ an English transcript here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-sofia-chapay-marcos.html.Learn more about Chirapaq’s Indigenous Cinema program: http://chirapaq.org.pe/en/secciones/indigenous-cinema.AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION:- WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation- TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF- LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/