In a room in Medborgarhuset in Stockholm, we meet Joan Carling, a human rights activist from the Philippines who fought for indigenous rights for over 30 years. She is in town for the Right Livelihood Awards ceremony.
– I think this award can increase attention to indigenous issues globally and especially now, when we are facing a global crisis where indigenous people should be at the center of decision-making, says Carling.
Among other things, Carling has been Secretary General of the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact (AIPP), a permanent member of the UN’s Indigenous Forum and supported campaigns against the expansion of mining and hydropower projects in indigenous areas. She shares what she considers to be her proudest moment.
– When I worked with AIPP, we started the article series Her Story, to highlight the work of indigenous women and to point to the important change work that is done at the grassroots level.
“It’s important that we cooperate”
Ylva Gustafsson and Inger Axiö from the Stockholm Sami Association and Eva Forsgren from Amnesty Sápmi were also present in the room – to share experiences and discuss global collaborations.
– What we mainly take with us is how important it is that we cooperate with indigenous organizations and human rights organizations so that we are strengthened in our role, says Inger Axiö.
Ylva Gustafsson fills in:
– And it is absolutely fantastic that it is once again an indigenous person who receives this award and that it goes to Joan who has fought as an activist and at a political level for many, many years.
The award ceremony took place on Wednesday evening at Cirkus in Stockholm.