Leading the way : How Indigenous youth combat climate change through land rights

Young Indigenous Peoples are facing unprecedented challenges as they grow up in a world where climate change imperils their community’s cultural heritage and ways of life. In response, many are becoming new leaders in climate activism, championing land rights as a pivotal measure in combating environmental degradation and preserving traditional lifestyles.

Land Portal’s Land Dialogue on 11 April 2024 explored the dynamic relationship between land tenure systems and climate resilience through the lens of Indigenous Peoples and local community youth. In a world that is rapidly urbanizing and warming, the speakers examined how youth are being encouraged to embrace their ancestral knowledge systems, the nature-based solutions that are being widely applauded, to defend their land and territories and actively lead on climate change.

The discussion focused on solutions and highlighted youth-led responses to land and climate issues. It sought to provide a space for cross-cultural learning between young people from around the world, sparking unlikely but meaningful conversations.

Speakers

• Venedio Osing, BPAN Homecoming Movement
• Carlos Lozano, Federation of Kechwa Chazuta Amazonian Indigenous Peoples
• Aïcha Salihou, Youth and Land Multi-Stakeholder Platform in Africa
• Rosmery Marbella Recinos Chay, Asociación de Communidades Forestales de Petén (ACOFOP)

Moderated by: Lina Salas, Activist & Impact and Distribution Strategist

Listen in as young leaders create a space for a new kind of dialogue—one where Indigenous youth are leading the way: