Photo Gallery BGM 2016
(photos by Victor Barro and Amelia Collins)
Friday 2 December
This morning's mistica, led by APAC (Asia Pacific region) and entitled,
Peoples in Asia Pacific struggles against Tyranny and
Dictatorship for People Power Now and Forever.
APAC showed a film of some of the region's campaign work
The mistica culminated in a version of the resignation song, calling for the resignation of each country’s leader especially Malaysia, The Philippines, Japan, and South Korea against Tyranny and Dictatorship.
This morning's mistica, led by APAC (Asia Pacific region) and entitled,
Peoples in Asia Pacific struggles against Tyranny and
Dictatorship for People Power Now and Forever.
Peoples in Asia Pacific struggles against Tyranny and
Dictatorship for People Power Now and Forever.
APAC showed a film of some of the region's campaign work
The morning session covered conceptual dialogues on Friends of the Earth International concepts; Just transition, People's sovereignty and Territory/Commons
The session was run as a live TV show, with tweeting in the form of post-it notes
coming into the panel throughout the session
The amazing interpretation team
The business session concluded the BGM
The IPCs were approved
Slovenia was voted in as as associate member
Friends of the Earth Nigeria was confirmed host of the BGM 2018
Karin Nansen was voted in as the new Chair of Friends of the Earth International
We said goodbye to Jagoda Munic as Chair, but she remains a member of ExCom
Nora Bowier from SDI/FoE Liberia joined ExCom
We thanked Walhi and Nur Hidayati for putting on the BGM
And the IS staff
And last but not least, the new ExCom members
The session was run as a live TV show, with tweeting in the form of post-it notes
coming into the panel throughout the session
The amazing interpretation team
The business session concluded the BGM
The IPCs were approved
Karin Nansen was voted in as the new Chair of Friends of the Earth International
We thanked Walhi and Nur Hidayati for putting on the BGM
And the IS staff
Thursday 1 December
This morning's mistica was another powerful performance,
led by the Friends of the Earth Europe region.
As of yesterday – 4690 women, men and children have died crossing
the Mediterranean Sea whilst seeking safe haven.
Last year on 30 November 2015, a total of 3,565 men, women and
children had died crossing the Med Sea.
Since 2000, the UN body International Organisation on Migration has calculated
that 46,000 people have died seeking safe haven.
European members laid their shoes on the floor to spell out 4690, the number of people
who have lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea
the Mediterranean Sea whilst seeking safe haven.
children had died crossing the Med Sea.
that 46,000 people have died seeking safe haven.
who have lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea
Whilst European govts build walls and fences, we as citizens of Europe, as
Friends of the Earth Europe, as those whose beating heart is justice build bridges between people.
Friends of the Earth Europe, as those whose beating heart is justice build bridges between people.
All people have the right to a dignified life – no one is illegal.
We are all global citizens of this world.
We say Black Lives Matter
We say Refugees Welcome
We say Climate Refugees Welcome
During the morning's Building people power: mobilization, movement
& alliance building, we heard from Henry Saragih from La Via Campensina
& Sofia Ogutu from The World March of Women
The afternoon covered solutions. Participants worked in groups discussing existing projects and the wider concept of solutions.
The evening's entertainment was provided by participants as they
took to the stage for the Friends of the Earth International talent show!
Choony Kim (Friends of Korea) and Jeffrey Conant (Friends of the Earth US)
compared the evening.
Groups from Europe sang Bella Ciao, an Italian partisan song which originated during
the Italian civil war. Used worldwide as a hymn of freedom and resistance.
"The forest wants my promise", a song written inspired by and written for
the environmental movement in Bulgaria
Participants from Russia, Latvia, Georgia and US sang The Bremen Town Musicians,
Russian cartoon, in 1969, music written by Gennady Gladkov
A group from the United States sang Woody Guthrie's classic folk song, "This Land is Your Land."
ATALC sang "Latinoamérica" by Calle 13
Dong Hun Lee and Hye Lyn Kim (Friends of the Earth South Korea) sang The Hawain Couple
Friends of the Earth South Korea dancing the Resignation dance
Sofia Ogutu from World March of Women sang Hakuna Matata and Malaika (Angel)
Zane Rugena (Friends of the Earth Latvia) and Maik sang a Latvian lullaby, "Miedziņš nāk"
Walhi sang "Darah Juang" (Fighting Blood)
Marjinal performed solo and accompanied many of the acts.
Melanie Subono from Jakata ended the night of live performance
Choony Kim (Friends of Korea) and Jeffrey Conant (Friends of the Earth US)
compared the evening.
the Italian civil war. Used worldwide as a hymn of freedom and resistance.
the environmental movement in Bulgaria
Russian cartoon, in 1969, music written by Gennady Gladkov
Wednesday 30 December
Today's mistica was led by Friends of the Earth Africa
The mistica started with a powerful series of slides showing temperature increases
across Africa, from the 1960's projecting forwards 100 years.
“Let the ecologic debt be paid and not the foreign debt.”
Cuban President Fidel Castro, UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992
One by one the Friends of the Earth regions, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe,
Latin America and the Caribbean (ATALC) and North America
were invited up to give messages of solidarity
The Mistica ended with the song Smoke by Hugh Masekela,
You're always pumping smoke into the air
From your easy chair
Like you don't care
Today's sessions saw participants discussing Friends of the Earth
International's pathway to system change: 5 year program and membership
reports and plans, in break out groups.
The mistica started with a powerful series of slides showing temperature increases
across Africa, from the 1960's projecting forwards 100 years.
across Africa, from the 1960's projecting forwards 100 years.
Cuban President Fidel Castro, UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Latin America and the Caribbean (ATALC) and North America
were invited up to give messages of solidarity
The Mistica ended with the song Smoke by Hugh Masekela,
You're always pumping smoke into the air
From your easy chair
Like you don't care
Today's sessions saw participants discussing Friends of the Earth
International's pathway to system change: 5 year program and membership
reports and plans, in break out groups.
International's pathway to system change: 5 year program and membership
reports and plans, in break out groups.
Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific region is hosting its first ever regional
Sustainability School at this BGM.
Participants from nearly all member groups in the APac region have come
together for a five day programme to take part in a training, exchange and network building event that they hope will also serve to boost youth engagement and campaigns in groups and the region.
This afternoon they were taking part in a social media workshop.
together for a five day programme to take part in a training, exchange and network building event that they hope will also serve to boost youth engagement and campaigns in groups and the region.
Activist creativity space
Tuesday 29 November
The day started with an incredibly moving mistica led by
Friends of the Earth Latin America and the Caribbean/ATALC
We remembered comrades who have lost their lives to the struggle.
"The people we remember today will be our inspiration"
We were invited to write messages of solidarity to place on the shrine
A chance for all participants to share their thoughts on the previous day highlighted the following buzz words and feelings:
Foei’s pathway to system change introduction to FOEI’s five year plan: membership development priorities: Human rights defenders,
power and privilege, solidarity.
Karin Nansen (Friends of the Earth Uruguay/REDES) opened the session,
"As an environmental justice federation we have seen, through all our struggles and campaigns, how migrants, Kilombolas, peasants communities and Indigenous Peoples, are most affected. Within these groups women suffer most from the impacts of the territory devastation, privatisation and the commodification of nature. This led Friends of the Earth International 2005 to embrace gender justice in our vision of the world and our core values."
"Women do not perceive themselves as victims. They are leaders in this struggle,
despite not being recognised as political subjects."
"We have learnt that different types of oppression reinforce each other. So for us building sustainable societies means dismantling all forms of domination and exploitation."
"Sexual division of labor is at the core of the patriarchal system. Women are often tasked with care roles, which are not considered to be work since they have no monetary value. This system promotes a division between productive and reproductive work and hierarchy of production over reproduction. The fight against sexual division of labor is vital in the struggle against patriarchy."
"Patriarchal oppression is a social construct, not a natural one, so it can and needs to be changed. We must change and challenge ourselves, our work and our structures."
Participants then performed role plays around examples of patriarchy they have experienced:
"As an environmental justice federation we have seen, through all our struggles and campaigns, how migrants, Kilombolas, peasants communities and Indigenous Peoples, are most affected. Within these groups women suffer most from the impacts of the territory devastation, privatisation and the commodification of nature. This led Friends of the Earth International 2005 to embrace gender justice in our vision of the world and our core values."
"Women do not perceive themselves as victims. They are leaders in this struggle,
despite not being recognised as political subjects."
"We have learnt that different types of oppression reinforce each other. So for us building sustainable societies means dismantling all forms of domination and exploitation."
"Sexual division of labor is at the core of the patriarchal system. Women are often tasked with care roles, which are not considered to be work since they have no monetary value. This system promotes a division between productive and reproductive work and hierarchy of production over reproduction. The fight against sexual division of labor is vital in the struggle against patriarchy."
"Patriarchal oppression is a social construct, not a natural one, so it can and needs to be changed. We must change and challenge ourselves, our work and our structures."
Participants then performed role plays around examples of patriarchy they have experienced:
During the day news broke of the detention of Orang Asli of Gua Musang
by the police for putting up a blockade to defend their territory.
Friends of the Earth International participants came together to stand in
solidarity with the Orang Asli of Gua Musang.
We demand that all those arrested are immediately released as they were merely exercising their rights under the constitution to defend their customary territory.
The day ended with a member groups market and materials sharing event
The day ended with a member groups market and materials sharing event
Monday 28 November
Dinner with Bupati (Head of) Lampung Selatan District
Monday 28 November
Friends of the Earth International Biennial General Meeting
We welcomed Bosnia and Russia to the federation.
Friends of the Earth International welcomes the Asia Pacific School of Sustainability.
The amazing interpreters at work.
Friday 25 November
WALHI/Friends of the Earth International Symposium:
Community land management as a way to ensure Climate Justice, Lampung, Indonesia
The event opened with a Tari kipas dance.
A performance on traditional Indonesian Angklung instruments also welcomed participants.
Mrs Siti Nurbaya, Minister of the Environment & Forests, sounded the gong to open the Symposium. On the right are Nur Hidayati (Director of WALHI/Friends of the Earth Indonesia), Jagoda Munic (Chair of Friends of the Earth International) and Hendrawan (Director of WALHI Lampung)
Indonesian community members presented powerful testimonies on local struggles and the great work of Walhi/Friends of the Earth Indonesia.
Walhi press conference: (from left to right): Khalisah Khalid (Walhi), Sutono (Secretary of Lampung province), Hendrawan (Walhi Lampung), Mrs Siti Nurbaya (Minister of the Environment & Forests), Noer Fauzi Rachmna (Presidential chief of staff), Jagoda Munic (Friends of the Earth International), Nur Hidayati (Director of Walhi International)
Mrs Siti Nurbaya (Minister of the Environment & Forests) spoke of the need for global climate justice and how Walhi's work on community-managed forests is central to this in Indonesia. She said that "having a voice is having choice" and is crucial to the success of the scheme.
Nur Hidayati (Director of Walhi International) talked of how the forest pledge by the Indonesian government of Indonesia should become "the momentum for the improvement of the governance of natural resources", including ceasing to give credence to the corporations that have failed.
"Now it's time to express confidence in the community through the recognition of people-managed regions, including forests."She ended by reminding us all that,
"Togetherness is key to social justice, as embodied by the Indonesian people."
Jagoda Munic (Chair of Friends of the Earth International) paid tribute to Walhi, "We admire Walhi’s passion, hard work and all that they have achieved”.
She spoke of the need for profound system change in how we work and live on this planet and the need for sustainable solutions. Community-managed forest projects are one such solution,
“Forests should be managed for the people, by the people. We need forests to protect life, biodiversity, water and air. We are dependent on them. We need system change not climate change. Let’s create that sustainable future together”
Hendrawan (Director of WALHI Lampung) spoke of Walhi Lampung's work
Mrs Siti Nurbaya (Minister of the Environment & Forests)
Friends of the Earth International members from around the world, members of La Via Campesina and members of the Asia Foundation shared their knowledge and experience of global justice issues to strengthen solidarity.
"Forests for the people, not for corporations!" exclaimed Claudia Ramos (Otros Mundos/Friends of the Earth Mexico)
"Forests are not plantations with 1 or 2 tree species, but a space of traditional knowledge with individuals and communities living in harmony with their environment"
She spoke of how native forest communities are not separate from the forests they live in. The forest is their space, food, home, medicine. What many now call non-wood forest products, which is a technical name that is very often the opposite of what is needed. The term does not allow people to live in harmony with the forest.
She called for respect for communities and their right to remain in their forests and territories. "In imposing projects from the outside on communities, corporations develop a predatory model"
Daniel Ribeiro (JA!/Friends of the Earth Mozambique) spoke of the current issues with land management including the "criminalization of traditional practices", the erroneous idea of needing to "sell the land to save it"
"Communities respect forests, corporates only respect profits"
"Communities respect forests, corporates only respect profits"
Dipti Bhatnagar (Friends of the Earth International) direct from the climate talks in Marrakech reminded us that concrete action and climate finance are essential in the fight against climate change.
"The Paris agreement is seen as a diplomatic success, but it is not a a success for the people and planet"
She spoke of the urgent need for reducing emissions right now, not after 2020 which is when the Paris Agreement begins. She demanded that developed countries in particular must act now otherwise we will "miss the boat on solving climate change resulting in horrific impacts."
Lucy Cadena (Friends of the Earth International) continued on the outcomes of Marrakech and how "the Paris agreement didn't just open the door to false solutions, it rolled out the red carpet"
"Corporations push to create the illusion that they're sorting climate change without compromising profit, power structures or the economic system that got us into this mess in the first place"
She reminded us that the real solutions are out there including people's renewable energy, changing to an agroecological model of food production, community management of forests and territories and a just economic system. She ended by saying,
"We need to build people power and ensure that these solutions become a reality"
Friday 25 November
The Mayor of Lampung hosts dinner for WALHI
and Friends of the Earth International,
Lampung
and Friends of the Earth International,
Lampung
View from the official residence of Walikota/Mayor of Bandar Lampang
Wednesday 23 November
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November. Friends of the Earth International sitting with the dignitaries.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November. Friends of the Earth International are invited up on stage.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November. Friends of the Earth International are invited up on stage.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November.
Lampung Selatan Fair 2016, 23 November.
Di Negeri Baru Resort, 22 November
Walhi Lampung office, Bandar Lampung, 22 November
Walhi Lampung office, Bandar Lampung, 22 November