#6 Decolonise: reparations & representation
Your plan might focus on exposing and dismantling systems of oppression and exploitation.
For example by exploring histories of colonialism, supporting those in frontlines of climate impacts or tackling inequalities in cultural and environmental movements. There is a strong connection between repair of the natural world and reparations for injustice.
The power of culture for decolonising and decarbonising society
- Co-educate with and for those people who are most affected by the histories and current impacts of extractivism and harmful development.
- Widen your net of cultural resources to learn from people who are nature-connected, or innovating out of traditions to regenerate places.
- Radically restructure your programming to empower people and ensure their needs are met to participate.
- Use your programming and influence to expose and dismantle systems of oppression and exploitation, in ways that are integrated with your decarbonisation efforts when possible.
- Protect and safely restore or return intangible, indigenous heritage, in consultative collaboration.
- Support those in frontlines of ecocide & climate impacts.
- What can you do to tackle inequalities in cultural & environmental movements?
Some suggestions for starting in your organisation
- Where can you hand power to people who have been denied it?
- If children and young people are your priority, consider their needs for the future. Can you create a role to advocate for future generations, not yet born?
- Can you run a truth commission?
- Could you write a 100 year plan?
- Can you influence international law, to advance the rights of future generations, or to implement an Ecocide Law?
- Apply the Precautionary Principle: If you can’t be sure your project doesn’t cause harm, don’t do it. Ask, how can this project positively regenerate the environment?
- Are all the people in your organisation cared for and treated equally and do they have a voice?