Climate Justice and Indigenous Knowledge in Asia

Climate change is a global challenge, but the consequences are distributed very unevenly: While the countries with the largest share of global emissions usually have the means to counter the negative effects, other regions are disproportionately more affected. Indigenous communities in the Global South are particularly exposed to the consequences of climate change, even though they are not responsible for causing it.

The knowledge of indigenous communities is often the key to overcoming these challenges, for example in the sustainable management of tropical forests or the use of renewable raw materials. However, when considering the implementation of development projects or even climate protection measures, indigenous knowledge usually plays a subordinate role. Instead, indigenous communities are increasingly exposed to land grabbing, displacement, industrialization, marginalization, oppression and persecution. 

This seminar aims to make the indigenous knowledge of Southeast Asia visible and to discuss how it can be incorporated more broadly into international development cooperation – with scientists, political decision-makers and activists.

The UN city of Bonn offers an ideal setting to get in touch with United Nations organizations and gain insights into their work. In a digital exchange with indigenous environmental activists from Southeast Asia, the seminar will focus on the perspectives and experiences of those affected.