Indigenous Voices: A Listening Session for Global Change
The Power of Listening
Not all voices are heard equally. Many Indigenous leaders—despite their deep wisdom, cultural heritage, and direct experience in protecting biodiversity—are overlooked, muted, or marginalized in global conversations. Speaking up often comes at high political and personal risk, yet their insights are essential in addressing the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and humanity’s path forward.
This special Listening Session invites participants to step back from speaking and instead be fully present—to listen, respectfully and intentionally—to Indigenous voices that too often go unheard.
What to Expect
On April 1, distinguished guests—including:
Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland – Tassos Leventis Professor of Biodiversity & Director, Interdisciplinary Centre of Conservation Science, Oxford University
Elaine Martyn – Senior Vice President, Fidelity Charitable, the world’s largest donor-advised fund, facilitating billions in grants annually, with a record of over $14 billion achieved in 2024.
—will join this session not to speak, but to amplify Indigenous voices by listening.
Indigenous leaders, including:
Joan Carling (Kankanaey People, Igorot Group, Philippines)
Kleber Karipuna (Karipuna People, Amapá, Brazil)
Basiru Isa (Bororo People, Cameroon)
—will share critical messages about how humanity can live in harmony with our planet and why Indigenous leadership is essential to securing our collective future.
Why This Matters
For too long, powerful platforms have failed to center Indigenous wisdom, despite its profound relevance to conservation, sustainability, and climate action. This session is an opportunity to:
Shift the focus from speaking to listening.
Honor and amplify the insights of Indigenous leaders.
Challenge power dynamics by recognizing the knowledge that has been historically sidelined.
Embrace humility in learning from those who have been stewards of the Earth for generations.
Who Should Attend?
Environmental and conservation leaders seeking deeper engagement with Indigenous wisdom.
Philanthropists & funders committed to listening before acting.
Policymakers & advocates shaping biodiversity and climate strategies.
Anyone who believes true leadership starts with listening.
This is not a panel, nor a discussion—this is an act of solidarity, a moment of reflection, and a commitment to listen deeply. It is a concept conceived and produced by Synchronicity Earth, a grantmaker addressing overlooked and underfunded conservation priorities, protecting and restoring nature in some of Earth’s most wildlife-rich but highly threatened regions.
Space is limited, and participation requires a commitment to being fully present and engaged. RSVP now to confirm your place