Programme History
The Beginning of a Global Movement
The Programme emerges as a pioneering global initiative designed to connect ancestral knowledge with contemporary environmental challenges. Born from the urgent need to amplify indigenous and ancestral voices in the face of the climate crisis, this programme represents a paradigm shift toward recognizing traditional ecological knowledge as fundamental to our planet's survival.
2025: The Founding Edition - Cartagena de Indias
The inaugural Forum "The Value of Ancestral Wisdom for Environmental Protection" takes place in July 2025 in the historic city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. This foundational event marks the official launch of what is envisioned as a recurring global platform for intercultural dialogue and environmental action.
Why Cartagena?
Cartagena de Indias was chosen as the birthplace of this movement for its profound historical significance as a crossroads of cultures. The city's colonial architecture, built upon indigenous foundations and shaped by African heritage, embodies the cultural convergence that the forum seeks to celebrate and amplify. The Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española, housed in the historic Convento de Santo Domingo, provides a symbolic setting where ancestral wisdom meets international cooperation.
The Cartagena Resolution
The 2025 forum will culminate in the adoption of the Cartagena Resolution on Ancestral Wisdom for Environmental Protection - a foundational document that will serve as the philosophical and practical framework for all future editions. This resolution represents the collective voice of indigenous leaders, afrodescendant communities, young activists, and civil society organizations united in their commitment to environmental stewardship guided by ancestral knowledge.
2026 and Beyond: A Growing Global Network
The success of the Cartagena edition will pave the way for the Manila Forum 2026, scheduled to take place during the Philippines' ASEAN presidency. This expansion to Southeast Asia demonstrates the program's commitment to representing diverse indigenous traditions and environmental challenges across different continents.
Our Mission
The Ancestral Wisdom and Environmental Protection Forum programme is built on the fundamental belief that the solutions to our current environmental crisis already exist within the knowledge systems of indigenous and ancestral communities worldwide. By creating spaces for authentic dialogue, mutual learning, and collaborative action, we seek to establish a new model of environmental governance that honors both scientific innovation and traditional wisdom.
This is more than a conference series - it is the foundation of a global movement toward environmental justice, cultural preservation, and the recognition that our planet's future depends on learning from its oldest guardians.
Vision
The Ancestral Wisdom Forum is designed to become a rotating global platform, moving between different regions every two years. Each edition will:
- Honor local indigenous and ancestral communities as primary knowledge holders
- Address region-specific environmental challenges through ancestral perspectives
- Build upon previous resolutions while adapting to local contexts
- Create lasting partnerships between traditional communities and modern institutions
- Develop concrete action plans for environmental protection and cultural preservation