In November 2016, I was invited by GPIW to join their Inner Dimensions on Climate Change retreat during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Marrakech. I spoke about the Loss of Indigenous Knowledge together with some great personalities such as Tiokasin Ghosthorse. The video below shows pertinent highlights of the entire retreat.
In 2016 The Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) launched a series of global dialogues with emerging young people working in the environmental field. We partnered with Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA) and the Earth Charter International to help young people look at the climate crisis from a different perspective, not just listen to statistics. How do we feel when we hear of the river being polluted or species going extinct? How do we take this into our hearts and respond from deep inside? This particular film highlights 20 young ecologists from different regions in Africa who came to Marrakech during COP22 for five days of focused dialogue. The visit included a day at the United Nations NGO meetings and a hike in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
In our modern society, we have commodified nature, the rivers, and the forests, seeing them more as monetary objects. When we talk about the Inner Dimensions of Climate Change we are talking about a reconnection in our spirit with the rivers, forests, mountains – once more to see them as living entities that we need to respect and appreciate -that we nurture and that nurtures us. Themes we examined at this gathering included the future of Africa’s waters, the impact of industrial agriculture on the land and society. We were humbled by the dedication and motivation of these young leaders and encouraged by the inroads being made in Africa toward regenerative and natural agriculture and the remembrance of indigenous planting practices, storytelling around the fire, and preserving the indigenous wisdom of their spiritual elders and forefathers.
The INNER DIMENSIONS of CLIMATE CHANGE global series seeks to explore the inner awareness needed to restore a relationship with the Earth and the natural world that is reverent of our shared commons and not merely seen as a commodity for trade or profit.
Joshua Amponsem 