Alternatiben Ehun Globala (TGA/GTA)
(Castellano) (English) (Euskara)
A Declaration on Radical Democracy, Autonomy and Self Determination, framed at a global convergence held in February 2025 in Port Edward, South Africa, was launched during a virtual session on June 10th. The event was organized by the Global Tapestry of Alternatives (GTA), Academy of Democratic Modernity, WoMIN, Jineology Academy, and the Amadiba Crisis Committee. This landmark declaration, which represents the collective will of Indigenous communities, grassroots organizations, and social movements from many parts of the globe, marks a significant step toward redefining governance in today’s world.
The Declaration was crafted by 44 participants from 20 countries and 34 communities. Over five days of deliberations, participants shared struggles, engaged in critical dialogues, and developed a unified vision for resistance against capitalism, patriarchy, and colonialism.
Key Highlights from the Launch:
During the launch, Ashish Kothari of GTA, and one of the facilitators of the meeting, summarized the essence of the declaration. He said, “The Declaration calls for the reclaiming of territories and self-governance, rooted in indigenous knowledge and practices, to challenge the destructive path of ‘development’ pushed by capitalist corporations and nation-states. It is a collective declaration of intent to dismantle the unjust systems we face.”
The session brought together several prominent voices, including Nonhle Mbuthuma, spokesperson for the Amadiba Crisis Committee in South Africa, who shared their community’s resistance to mining interests. Nonhle passionately stated, “The land is the soul of our people. We will not let it be taken for profit, we will continue our fight, not only for our future, but for the world’s future.”
Doe Doh, a member of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) in Burma-Myanmar, spoke about the last 70 years of civil war and displacement. «We have taken the bold initiative to establish two indigenous parks to exercise our autonomy, exercise direct democracy and demand actual recognition and federal democracy.»
Şervîn Nudem from the Jineology Academy, Rojava (North-East Syria), argued that the question of women’s liberation cannot be postponed after the Revolution. In the context of Kurdish Society, women’s organizing has been the foundation for radical democratic changes in the fight against patriarchy, colonialism, capitalism, and state power.
Alim Bandara from the Timuay Justice and Governance Council of Chiefs, in the Philippines argued that the declaration mirrors the last 30 years of resistance and autonomy hoping for it to «turn into a movement that will unite the different community practitioners of radical democracy and self-governance that will shape a possible New World order from various experiences, practices, and struggles around the globe.»
Ildefonso Sánchez, member of the senior council of government from the Cherán Indigenous People in Mexico, emphasized the importance of land in the struggle for autonomy: “Our land is not a commodity to be traded. It is our life, our culture, our heritage. We have defended it for generations, and we will continue to resist any forces that seek to take it from us.”
Edgar Alberto Velasco Tumiña, Secretary General of the Movement of Indigenous Authorities of the South West (AISO) in Colombia, reflected on the ongoing fight for Indigenous land rights, stating, “Development should not come at the cost of our land and culture. We need true autonomy to make decisions about our futures.”
The Declaration calls for:
- Reclaiming and protecting land: Affirming the connection between land, culture, and identity, and the need for Indigenous peoples to govern their ancestral territories.
- Resisting capitalist and neo-colonial exploitation: Rejecting development models that prioritize profit over people and the environment.
- Radical democracy: Moving beyond liberal electoral systems and nation-states to self-determination and direct, community-led governance.
- Environmental justice: Addressing ecological degradation and climate change, with a focus on sustainability and protection of nature, and rebuilding our kinship with all life.
- Global solidarity: Building cross-regional alliances that unite struggles against authoritarianism, corporate power, and colonial legacies.
During the session, participants also discussed ways to strengthen global solidarity.
The event concluded with Vasna Ramasar from GTA emphasizing the need for inclusive dialogue and mutual learning to ensure the success of the Declaration. She stressed, “This declaration is just the beginning. We must now ensure it reaches every corner of the world, creating spaces for continued collaboration and solidarity.”
The declaration can be accessed and endorsed in Spanish, French and English here:
https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/events:radasd:declaration
The recording for the session is available here:
https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/events:radasd:launch
For further details please contact: contact@globaltapestryofalternatives.org
