COP16

The 4-day program, held in collaboration with Our Village and the Climate and Entertainment Pavilion, brought a dynamic mix of talks, rituals, films, photo exhibits, and cultural showcases to the heart of Cali’s cultural action. This program bridged the gap between political discussions on biodiversity and ground-level solutions, sparked ideas for the future, and invited decision-makers to commit to centering frontline voices in these crucial conversations.

: 22nd of October and the 1st of November 2024
: Casa de Mono – Carrera 25 # 5 – 112 Santiago de Cali, 760042 Colombia

Celebrating Our Village’s 10th Anniversary

Since 2014, our events have asked questions rooted in our passion for healing the earth. We believed that healing the planet began with healing people, which is why our focus was on climate justice, racial justice, land stewardship, and seeking solutions through open dialogue. As Paul Redman, Founder and Executive Director of If Not Us Then Who, says:

“Our Village is here to spark new ideas and collaborations in true partnership, inspired by Indigenous wisdom. Please join us to celebrate our journey and dream of an abundant planet.” – Paul Redman, Founder of If Not Us Then Who

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Our Village, we proudly partnered with the Entertainment Culture Pavilion, along with Festival FINCALI, Planet On, and Sauntr Media, to host the “Our Village E+C pavilion (Pabellón de E+C Nuestra Aldea).” As part of this experiential gathering, we united and built strong communications alliances with Indigenous and Afro-descendant communicators through the initiative Amplifying IP&LCs and Afro-Descendant Voices at COP16. This effort showcased unique stories from the ground, collaborated with intersectional movements, and connected Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro leadership with decision-makers at this pivotal event.

Our Village on the Road

From October 23rd to 26th, Our Village brought climate action to the streets. To bridge the gap between the Blue Zone and the city center, 3-4 traditional Colombian buses were transformed into mobile venues. These buses traveled between the Blue Zone and Casa del Mono, hosting sessions, film screenings, calls to action, and cultural events. This initiative connected official negotiations with the public, turning each trip into a powerful experience for all involved.

Bienvenidos a Nuestra Aldea – Our Village Programming

The lineup featured over 55 events and more than 100 speakers. The program included talks by local movements and key decision-makers such as GATC, CRIC, Lila Mujer, IIFB, Nia Tero, Corporación Magenta, Ministry of Environment, PCN, Ministry of Equity, peace negotiators, IP and LC filmmakers, The Tenure Facility, CLUA, Ford Foundation, ANMIGA, and the Indigenous Caucus.

Opening Ceremony: A Tribute To Storytelling

Tuesday, October 22nd

The event celebrated the 10th anniversary of Our Village and marked the launch of that year’s programming in collaboration with an array of local, national, and international partners. It was a special moment where culture, biodiversity, and community came together to kick off four days of impactful events and discussions, featuring musical performances by Eric Terena and Agrupación Agojie de Mude.

Day 1: Intergenerational Action & Wisdom

The connection between ancestral knowledge and today’s technology, the creation of dialogues with the youth and bringing the voices of elders and ancestors to learn from their wisdom, to land it in today’s needs and emergencies

Day 2: Peace with Nature

COP16 is framed as the COP of the people and the COP of “Peace with nature”. We will bring guests from the negotiations and key stakeholders from the territories to discuss what this means and what its implications are for biodiversity and climate justice.

Day 3: Gender & Intersectional Environmentalism

The role of women, two spirits, and the LGBTQIA+ community in actions to preserve biodiversity is fundamental across regions. We will bring to the table initiatives by Congresswomen, representatives of IP and LC organizations, Afro-descendant women from the Pacific, and more.

Day 4: From Cali to Belem; Road to COP30

The synergies between biodiversity and climate action are leading us to COP30 in Belem, 2026. We will make this day a series of networking sessions to brainstorm for COP30 actions and incredible panels and music with upcoming movements that are protecting the lands and coming to Belem with proposals for a brighter future.