How Non-Profits & Civil Society Can Advance Climate Action
Western environmentalism and its climate movements have been criticized for being colonial, extractive, patriarchal, and exclusionary. Given this, how can Canadians wanting to be good stewards of the land contribute to climate / environmental efforts in ways that are just, ethical, equitable, and effective?
In December, 2024, BCCIC hosted a moderated discussion with three climate activists working with Indigenous- and locally-led, anti-racist, and collaborative movements to explore how Canadians and Canadian NGO’s can support climate action in ways that honour diverse approaches, knowledge, and expertise outside Western traditions.
The recorded session dives into what effective solidarity and allyship look like within these movements and discuss actionable steps Canadians and Canadian Civil Society Organizations can take to support climate goals rooted in justice, equity, and respect, even when time, resources, or capacity may be limited.
Featuring:
Liliane Pari Umuhoza, Moderator
Liliane, originally from Rwanda, moved to Vancouver three years ago, where she earned a Master’s in Public Policy and Global Affairs from the University of British Columbia (UBC). She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Juniata College in Pennsylvania, USA. Currently, she is a consultant program manager at Planet Women, a U.S. based organization promoting gender equity in forest landscape restoration and supporting women environmental leaders at the grassroots level. Continue reading Liliane’s bio…
Ghada Sasa
Ghada Sasa is a Palestinian activist-scholar, completing her PhD in Political Science (International Relations) at McMaster University, researching Israeli green colonialism. She uncovers Israel’s appropriation of environmentalism to colonize Palestine, as well as Palestinian memories, to advocate for decolonization and the dismantlement of the human-nature binary. Since 2014, she has been heavily engaged in Palestine solidarity organizing while advocating for the liberation of women, queer and Black folks, and other oppressed communities. Ghada published an article in Politics last year and has been interviewed by numerous media outlets.
Eliza Peters
Hello, the names that I go by are Kwiwks, Eliza, and Elizabeth. I am from Lil’wat Nation in what’s known as British Columbia. I am a mother of 3; my children and the love shown to me by my grandparents are my motivation to be of good service to my community. I am a project manager with VIDEA working with their Climate Justice Team, a researcher with UBC Vancouver, a treasurer with our Lil’wat Nation Inherent Rights group, and a committee member for Lil’wat Health and Healing.
Ricardo Navarro
Ricardo Navarro founded the Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) to address El Salvador’s critical environmental and social needs. El Salvador’s protracted civil war hurt the environment to such an extent that it was once considered to be one of the most degraded countries in the western hemisphere. As president of CESTA—El Salvador’s largest environmental NGO—Navarro, an engineer by training, worked in partnership with urban and rural communities to provide technical assistance for an array of sustainable technologies.
This initiative is delivered with support from Global Affairs Canada
