werkgroep
This collaboration provides a platform for Indigenous Peoples, academics, engineers, and other stakeholders to highlight the importance of Indigenous knowledge systems, values, and perspectives in achieving just climate transitions.
Duration
april 2025
–
Heden
Location
Netherlands (nationwide)
Parties involved
MABIKAs Foundation, Ethics & Philosophy of Technology Section – TU Delft, Treesistance (Sinchi Foundation)
Indigenous communities play a crucial role worldwide in protecting ecosystems and preserving traditional ecological knowledge. At the same time, they are often the hardest hit by climate change and their rights are systematically violated. In the Netherlands, little attention is paid to indigenous perspectives in the climate debate.
The collaboration between Indigenous Liberation Month and the Just Transitions Network aims to change this. By organising events, workshops and public discussions, they are building visibility, awareness and exchange. The focus is on the connection between indigenous struggles and climate justice, and building alliances between activists, scientists and policymakers.
The programme highlights diverse voices from indigenous communities, in dialogue with other movements around climate and transition. The aim is to put structural forms of oppression and exclusion on the agenda and make room for other forms of knowledge, care and visions of the future. A few themes are the pillars for this initiative; seven generations Principe, indigenous perspectives, just transitions, intergenerational justice, ethical resource governance.
The upcoming series of events connects the past, present, and future in the sense that just transitions must be rooted in Indigenous knowledge, values, and sustainable futures. Each event serves as a growth stage: from roots (knowledge systems), to soil and sustenance (values and resources), to branches and fruit (technologies and innovation).
Friday 19 September 2025: RE-ROOTING TRANSITIONS: The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Just Transitions
This one-day workshop opens the series by exploring how intergenerational thinking and Indigenous knowledge systems, which were passed down through generations, can help care for the land, water, and communities. Guided by the Seven Generations Principle, the event discusses how decisions made today can honour the wisdom of the three generations before us, while protecting the well-being of the next three generations to come. The event includes group discussions, a short video made with Indigenous participants, and a shared activity, whereby Indigenous representatives will share real-life examples of how their knowledge supports healthy ecosystems and strong communities.
Monday 6 October 2025: STEWARDING CHANGE: Values, resources, and materials in the Energy Transitions
This second event brings Indigenous knowledge and values into dialogue with global efforts to mitigate climate change through the decarbonisation of the energy transition. We will explore how values can shape the future of energy systems to ensure that the solutions we create today do not harm future generations. The discussion will focus particularly on the role of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) required for green technologies, and the challenges posed by mining, engineering, and innovation practices. Through case studies and personal narratives presented in the panel, and by engaging in interactive dialogues during the workshops, participants will reflect on their own values and how these inform ethical commitments for the just use of critical resources in the energy transition.
Friday 14 November 2025: SEEDING THE FUTURE: Technologies, Indigenous Principles, and Sustainable Innovations
This final event in the series explores how Indigenous communities are not only protectors of the past, but also visionaries shaping the future. It highlights how Indigenous knowledge, values, and leadership can guide inclusive and ethical innovation in technology, urban planning, and green energy transitions. Specifically, we ask the question: how do we design technologies today that honour ancestral wisdom and protect future generations? Through keynote talks, panels, roundtables, and creative sessions, participants will explore Indigenous-led solutions in AI, energy, and sustainable development.
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