Global Diversity Foundation

For this new episode of “Rewor(l)ding Conservation”, we invited curator, researcher and pedagogue Margarida Mendes to open up her sonic archives around the Tagus river in Portugal, unpacking her practice as a multidisciplinary researcher exploring how sound can be used not only to describe, but also to sense changing ecosystems. Situating herself in the watery world of the Tagus wetland, and drawing from her PhD research “Sensorial Ecologies”, in this two-part episode we follow Mendes’ voice as she introduces her work around how sonic practices can be mobilised towards ecological and community reparation and conservation. Her storytelling offers an example of how listening can shape one’s understanding of the environment, mediated by sensing infrastructures, interspecies interactions, and the impacts of extractive industries. The second part of the episode is an invitation to engage with deep listening, opening our ears to the flows and ebbs of the river, guided by meditative scores that bring us to an embodied relationality with its fluxes and pulses.

River Tagus Field Recording & River Walk Score by Margarida Mendes An invitation by Margarida Mendes to engage with deep listening, opening our ears to the flows and ebbs of the river, guided by meditative scores that bring us to an embodied relationality with its fluxes and pulses. Best appreciated in the company of a water body.

A carte blanche to Margarida Mendes For this new episode of “Rewor(l)ding Conservation”, we invited curator, researcher and pedagogue Margarida Mendes to open up her sonic archives around the Tagus river in Portugal, unpacking her practice as a multidisciplinary researcher exploring how sound can be used not only to describe, but also to sense changing ecosystems. Situating herself in the watery world of the Tagus wetland, and drawing from her PhD research “Sensorial Ecologies”, in this two-part episode we follow Mendes’ voice as she introduces her work around how sonic practices can be mobilised towards ecological and community reparation and conservation. Her storytelling offers an example of how listening can shape one’s understanding of the environment, mediated by sensing infrastructures, interspecies interactions, and the impacts of extractive industries. The second part of the episode is an invitation to engage with deep listening, opening our ears to the flows and ebbs of the river, guided by meditative scores that bring us to an embodied relationality with its fluxes and pulses. Margarida Mendes is a researcher, curator, artist and educator, exploring the overlap between systems thinking, experimental film, sound practices and ecopedagogy. She creates transdisciplinary forums, exhibitions and experiential works where alternative modes of education and sensory practices may catalyse political imagination and restorative action. Mendes has long been involved in anti-extraction activism collaborating with marine NGOs, Universities, and institutions of the art world. She holds a PhD in Research Architecture by the Department of Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths University of London and is a member of Natural Contract Lab, a transdisciplinary collective of lawyers and artists working on restorative justice and rights of nature across Europe.

Exploring the intersection of DIY printing and growing food with the Mothers of Dar Bellarj and Heiba Lamara Watch the Enligh-subtitled version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77zlFHkYbjA This episode takes us to Dar Bellarj Foundation in the heart of Marrakech's medina, where a three-day exploration of DIY publishing, plants, and propagation workshop was led by artist and publisher Heiba Lamara. Joined by the Gifted Mothers of Dar Bellarj, the workshop centered the liberating acts of zine-making and planting as tools for community connection and environmental awareness. Listen in as the mothers read their heartfelt contributions to the collective zine created during the workshop and share sincere reflections about connection to land. Heiba Lamara offers insight into her interdisciplinary practice, weaving gardening and publishing into a vibrant methodology for collective storytelling and ecological care. About Dar Bellarj For over two decades, Dar Bellarj has been a cornerstone of cultural and intergenerational exchange in Marrakech. Rooted in its community, this vital foundation provides a space for creativity, learning, and connection. It has been a pivotal partner of our Harvest Festival, hosting and co-curating workshops, markets, concerts, and more since the very first edition. About “How to Grow a Book” A unique workshop/installation blending the spirit of a seed swap with the hands-on creativity of a print room that took place during Harvest Festival in May 2024. Participants and visitor reflected on shared agri/cultures, exchanged plant knowledge, and participated in the creation of a communal publication. About Heiba Lamara An artist, gardener, and publisher, Heiba Lamara explores the intersections of zine-making, ecologies, and community storytelling. She is Assistant Editor of OOMK Zine and co-founder of Rabbits Road Press, bringing independent publishing practices to life across disciplines.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 [𝐢𝐢] 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫[𝐥]𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢 𝐃𝐮𝐟𝐟 (𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢), 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 (𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐃), 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐳 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐫 & 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐢 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧 (𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐤𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐚𝐤𝐢). “The work that indigenous communities and local organisations do when it comes to landscape conservation and climate adaptation is often invisible, and yet it is what is holding us. That is the point of impact.” — Resson Kantai Duff In this second episode of “Rewor(l)ding Conservation”, former participants of GDF’s Conservation & Communities Fellowship — Beatriz Murer, Reyni Palohoen, and Valery Binda, share insights from their respective fields, reflecting on the unique challenges and tensions that arise in their efforts to protect both indigenous communities and the wildlife they live alongside. Their stories navigate the complex interplay between local realities and broader systemic issues — particularly the structural barriers around funding and recognition that grassroots activists continue to face within the global conservation sector. To deepen this conversation, the second act of our podcast also brings in the voice of Resson Kantai Duff, Portfolio Funding Director at Maliasili, whose thoughtful and committed work has profoundly shaped the thinking of many in the conservation field. She unpacks the troubling reality that less than 1% of global philanthropic funding for conservation actually reaches local communities and grassroots organizations — despite these actors being on the frontlines of environmental protection. While criticising the dominant funding systems that continue to marginalize indigenous and local voices, together these voices call for a thorough review of our very own relationship with nature and its “conservation”, one that needs to move towards a radically different and more expansive way of belonging in nature, and to this planet. ** 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫[𝐥]𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 is developed with the support of the Darwin Initiative.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲? 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 [𝐢] 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫[𝐥]𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐲 & 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐨 Over the past years we have seen the growing recognition of the role played by community-based conservation in stewarding landscapes and sustaining their communities. Yet, the increasing bureaucratisation of this practice and way of living raises the question: is today’s conservation part of the same old story? A story dominated by modernity and coloniality? If so, and following Vanessa Machado de Oliveira, how could we ‘hospice’ it? The opening act of our podcast series “𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫[𝐥]𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”, explores some of these matters through the voices of Dr. Carolyn Finney and Global Diversity Foundation programme coordinator Emily Caruso. Drawing from personal experience, life-long research and work in the field, Carolyn and Emily offer more critical questions than straightforward answers, opening up the grounds to explore how we can step out of the sand-box in which conservation has thus far played to move into an open field that looks radically different. ** 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫[𝐥]𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 is developed with the support of the Darwin Initiative.

In this episode of Patchwork of Belonging, we immerse ourselves in the practice of interdisciplinary artist William Bock. Will’s work spans cultures, landscapes, and identities, weaving together threads of community, ecology, and tradition. His approach invites us to reflect on the deep connections between people and the environments they inhabit. At the heart of this episode is Will’s participatory rope-making installation, where natural materials—harvested by his own hands—become tools for collective storytelling. Through this tactile process, participants are guided to engage with the land and its textures, creating moments of shared discovery. We also share a powerful, unplanned exchange between Will and Ali, a local farmer and environmental activist, captured amidst the rhythm of the workshop. This conversation, flowing across languages, becomes a testament to the strength of creative practice as a bridge between diverse perspectives and experiences. Join us as we explore how art can hold the threads of belonging, offering us ways to connect across cultural, ecological, and personal landscapes. About William Bock William Bock is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersections of culture, landscape, and identity. Using photography, painting, sound, performance, and installation, he investigates the connections between people, land, and ecology. A member of the Wilderness Art Collective, Bock is also a founding member of the award-winning Dig Collective, with projects showcased at Art Safiental Biennale (Switzerland) and PEER Gallery (London). He has produced and curated exhibitions, workshops, and residencies internationally, and previously co-directed the theatre collective Strangeworks, delivering projects for the Barbican and New Walsall Art Gallery.

Bringing voices from the edges In this episode, Fayçal and Nessie sat down with four extraordinary women: Moeumu from Samoa, Andrea from Bolivia, Abigail from Guatemala, and Kanto from Madagascar, at the International Socieity for Ethnobiology Congress, in May 2024. Each woman, leaders in their communities, shared their lived experiences of practicing conservation rooted in community and deep connection to the lands they fight to protect. From the Pacific islands to the Andean highlands, their stories weave a rich tapestry of resilience, cultural heritage, and a shared commitment to safeguarding our planet’s future.Through our conversations, they reflect on their shared and individual journeys—stories of overcoming barriers, sustaining cultural traditions, and creating spaces for belonging. Whether navigating the challenges of resource access, advocating for cultural preservation, or reimagining conservation to center community wisdom, these women demonstrate the power of collective action and actioning localised solutions. Their work personifies how grass-roots, community conservation is not only about protecting land but is also about nurturing the people, knowledge, and relationships that sustain it and have done so for millennia.As fellows of the Conservation & Communities Fellowship (CCF), these women are part of a transformative initiative that uplifts grassroots leaders from the Global South. Through skills development, leadership growth, and access to global funding networks, the fellowship helps address systemic inequalities in conservation. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities currently receive less than 1% of climate funding globally, and African organizations receive just 5–10% of private philanthropic funding for the continent. The CCF is closing these gaps, providing a platform for leaders like Moeumu, Andrea, Abigail, and Kanto to thrive and amplify their work on the world stage. Tune in for an intimate and inspiring dialogue that highlights the stories of courage and unwavering dedication of these grassroots conservationists—and discover how their sense of belonging shapes their vision for a healthier, more equitable planet.

Conservation in Tharaka - Kenya Join us as we embark on a rich journey into the heart of Tharakan culture with Simon Mitambo, an Earth Jurisprudence Practitioner, member of our Global Environments Network (GEN) and co-founder of the Society for Alternative Learning and Transformation (SALT). Simon, a proud Tharakan man and ancestral wisdom expert, has dedicated his life to restoring the cultural and ecological resilience of his community. In this episode, recorded at the Bantu Mountain Lodge during the Global Tapestry of Alternatives General Assembly, Simon takes us through the remarkable landscape of his ancestral land, nestled in the foothills of Mount Kenya. His community of Tharaka, with its rich red soil and abundance, continues to flourish through the revival of cultural practices, eco-cultural mapping, and deep-rooted community dialogues. Simon describes how his community’s knowledge of local medicinal plants and traditional practices sustained them through the challenges of COVID-19. In the podcast, you'll also hear the warm and unforgettable welcome we received from Simon's community, in the form of exciting songs and dances & a nourishing millet porridge served in carved calabashes. Simon’s voice brings to life the resilience, wisdom, and generosity that are foundational to Tharakan culture. His dedication to nurturing these practices is an inspiring testament to the power of ancestral knowledge. Tune in for an episode that weaves together stories of land stewardship, cultural memory, and the undeniable force of community. ____________________ Links to the different organisations mentioned in the episode: https://viacampesina.org/en/ https://gaiafoundation.org/kenya-decolonisation-climate-change-and-earth-jurisprudence/ https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/ Links to organisations mentioned in the episode https://viacampesina.org/en/ https://gaiafoundation.org/kenya-decolonisation-climate-change-and-earth-jurisprudence/ https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/

Seed conservation in the Sengwer Community (Kenya) Tune into this week’s episode as we dive into the heart of seed sovereignty and indigenous resilience with Talaa, also known as Milka Chepkorir Kuto. Talaa and her sisters, based near Kitale in Kenya, are working on an inspiring project to revive native seed varieties and establish community-driven plant nurseries—a beautiful act of resistance against the corporate grip on Kenya’s seed market. Milka’s home, surrounded by lush palms and papayas, feels like a sanctuary. But the reality she shares is far from idyllic: over 80% of Kenya’s maize seeds come from the Kenyan Seed Company, a major GM player that has overtaken traditional farming practices. In our conversation, Talaa reflects on this struggle and the impact of what activist Leonida Odongo calls a “new colonization” through agricultural control and technology. Talaa’s words, grounded in her community’s fight for seed sovereignty, underscore a powerful truth: reclaiming indigenous practices is an act of defiance and hope. As you listen, you’ll meet Milka’s sisters and hear their voices as they share their vision for a sustainable, resilient future. This episode is a testament to the power of community, sisterhood, and the deep roots of cultural identity in the face of adversity. Tune in for an uplifting journey into food sovereignty and the enduring spirit of indigenous knowledge.

Resilience amidst the Rubble Watch the Enligh-subtitled version with a visual creation by Kevin Le Dortz here: https://youtu.be/Q3oSc4naCsU In this powerful inaugural episode of our new series "The Patchwork of Belonging", we journey through Morocco’s Al Haouz region, where communities are still grappling with the devastating impacts of the 2023 earthquake that struck the region, cause unfathomable damage. This catastrophe has left a once-marginalized region even more exposed to vulnerability. Life in the Orchards offers a moving glimpse into the lives of those processing unimaginable loss. Through heartfelt testimonies, this episode captures the deep connection people hold with their ancestral lands—a bond that remains unbroken despite losing homes, livestock, crops, and even loved ones. It is a story of resilience and love for a land that has given so much and taken so much in return. Join us as we listen to these voices, bearing witness to the intimate, layered and complex relationship between people and the landscapes they inhabit, one that transcends the material and delves into the spiritual and cultural roots of place. Watch the full Enligh-subtitled version here.

A sonic tapestry of belonging and becoming. At Global Diversity Foundation, our work is informed by the belief that storytelling and radical imagination are vital forces for social transformation. Our podcast programming consists of a growing constellation of sonic spaces where voices from around the world meet, reflect, and reimagine pathways to more just, regenerative futures. Through three distinct series — Seeding Stories for Change, Patchwork of Belonging, and Rewor[l]ding Conservation — we explore the interwoven challenges of our time, from climate breakdown and cultural erosion to systemic injustice and the search for connection. Seeding Stories for Change brings together grassroots voices, activists, artists and scientists to share grounded stories of hope, resilience, and radical imagination. Together, we explore how seeds of change are being planted in communities, ecosystems, and institutions — and how these stories can grow into transformative action. Patchwork of Belonging is a sound-rich tapestry of fiction, documentary, field recordings, and poetic storytelling. It journeys through the fractured landscapes of identity and home, amplifying voices often marginalized in mainstream narratives. Through intimate stories of struggle and solidarity, it asks how we might restore our sense of belonging in a world marked by crisis and fragmentation. Rewor[l]ding Conservation rethinks what conservation can mean when rooted in justice, kinship, and humility. Through conversations with indigenous leaders, grassroots organizers, donors, artists and more-than-human voices, we examine the language, power, and possibilities of conservation in a time of planetary collapse. What needs to be reimagined? And can the word “conservation” still hold the world we hope to sustain?

Ferguson Uprising Join us for a captivating conversation with Mihir Shirman, a passionate researcher and advocate delving into the intersections of fear, polarization, and social movements. With his expertise in topics such as race, anti-racism, activism, and political subjectivity, Mihir sheds light on the profound impact of fear in our society. In this exciting podcast, Mihir shares his research work conducted in St. Louis, specifically documenting the Ferguson uprising. Interspersed throughout are immersive soundscapes from the streets, capturing the raw energy of the uprising - the echoes of people screaming, shouting, and demanding justice.. With a critical lens rooted in medical anthropology, environmentalism, and economic anthropology, Mihir unravels the complex relationship between fear and the polarization of communities. Through insightful analysis, Mihir unveils the ways fear shapes social movements and influences political dynamics. By exploring the transformative potential of addressing fear and polarization, he provides valuable perspectives on fostering empathy, understanding, and unity in the face of societal challenges.

Immerse yourself in a captivating journey of healing and transformation with our newly enhanced podcast. Building upon the profound exploration of fear, we now present an expanded edition that incorporates soothing healing sounds, ambient music, therapeutic guided meditations, and other flowing forms of energetic sounds and music. In this unique edition, we delve deeper into the mysteries of fear and its profound impact on our bodies and minds. Through insightful conversations with remarkable individuals who are conquering their own fears, we uncover intimate insights and practical strategies for overcoming fear. Embark on a transformative journey guided by the wisdom of Karen Larbi, a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion; Nessie Reid, a farmer and co-director of the Global Diversity Foundation; and Sulaiman R. Khan, a visionary and active disability rights advocate. Discover how fear, when harnessed, can serve as a catalyst for personal growth, unity, and the empowerment of ourselves and others. As we navigate these conversations, we skillfully integrate healing sounds, ambient music, and therapeutic elements to create a seamless tapestry of uplifting and nourishing experiences. Allow the gentle guidance of our expert hosts, led by Simran Rawan, Communication & Membership Coordinator at Global Diversity Foundation, to lead you on an enlightening exploration of fear and its transformative potential. Tune in to this enhanced edition of our podcast and let the healing sounds and soothing music envelop you on this profound journey.

The India-Pakistan Partition Simran grew up in Delhi, but her grandparents migrated from Pakistan during Partition. Samirah grew up in Lahore, twin city to Delhi, and her grandparents migrated from India during Partition. In this powerful & poignant dialogue, they confront the deep-rooted fear and hatred that persists between India & Pakistan, even 75 years after Partition. Both Simran and Samirah find themselves unable to easily reconnect with their ancestral lands due to the prevailing tensions and animosity. India, once celebrated as "the world's largest democracy," has seen a shift towards a far-right agenda, bent on marginalizing Muslims and erasing their presence. Meanwhile, religious minorities in Pakistan face the brutal reality of systemic violence, with alarming instances of lynchings targeting Ahmadi Muslims, Christians, Hazaras, Balochis, and other marginalized communities. Together, Simran and Samirah explore the complex dynamics that hinder peace, understanding, and reconciliation between India and Pakistan. They shed light on the urgent need to confront these issues and work towards a future where religious and ethnic differences are celebrated rather than weaponized. Join us for an eye-opening conversation that challenges stereotypes, seeks common ground, and offers hope for a more inclusive and harmonious world. This podcast is part of the 'Transforming Fear' series, which delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the roots of fear and its impact on our lives both as individuals and communities. ---------- 💡 Episode corrigendum/clarification - Gujarat riots happened in 2002, not in the late 90s as mentioned at 32'. - Adnan Sami had a Pakistani father & Indian mother. He had a Pakistani passport until 2015 and has an Indian passport as of 2016.