Gaia began working with Gaia Amazonas and indigenous communities in the Amazon in the 80's. Working together, Gaia was part of the COAMA programme, to assist indigenous peoples to secure their right to be recognised as the legal guardians of their land. These communities have successfully re-established traditional medicines and teachings as the basis of their health and educational systems, thus ensuring that their rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge is not lost.

Indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon, and much of Latin America, have maintained their strong relationship with Nature, and have managed to uphold their traditional identity and belief systems amidst the pressures of colonisation. It is because of this, that in 2004 Gaia led the first inter-cultural exchange to the Amazon in order to immerse key individuals from Africa in this inspiring cultural setting. It had such an impact that it was decided to develop this into an annual exchange process.

A number of community workers and change-makers from across Africa have now taken part in an annual experiential learning exchange. Tetu Maingi from Porini Association visited Colombia in 2005. He points out why this is such a critical experience for the next generation of African change-makers: "Out of this experience we came to witness the appreciable strides that the indigenous people of the Amazon had made in the process of self-determination and strengthened local governance. They have gained several rights to their territories, which makes the Amazon an important example for us to look to in Africa's struggle to recuperate culturally and ecologically enhancing approaches to our governance systems."

Read an interview with Tetu, where he reflects upon his experiences and the lasting impact that the exchange has had on him.

Reflections from those who have taken part in the Exchange

Karangthati Njoroge, participated in the Colombian Exchange in 2007

"The main thing I realised when I visited the Colombian Amazon was that people can regain their own governance. The Elders shared their inspiring stories with us and despite the fact that some of the communities were colonised, they were able to regain their territory. It proved to me that people can rediscover themselves and regain their independence of governance and territory. There is hope and the possibility to negotiate even when it may feel like there is none! The way that the communities and the Elders negotiated for them to regain control of their territory is inspiring.

"I observed in the Amazon that the communities only take from Nature what they need. They don't waste and that was really encouraging to see. They have natural, respectful laws that govern their relationships both with each other and with their surroundings. This was an important point of learning for me from an African perspective, but also for the rest of the world."

"The communities in the Colombian Amazon had taken back control of their education; they had adapted it. They don't need western education they told me. They said why should their children learn about mathematics and cars when they don't have cars! Their children need to learn how to fish and how to live with one another in their malocas. The way that they educate their children makes them far closer to the environment. I felt that their approach to education was a liberating one and it's something that we in Africa need to explore: How can we make education that suits our own cultural system and doesn't just reflect external needs? I saw in the Amazon that when people develop their own curriculum, they reclaim their freedom."

Karangathi Njoroge is Executive Director of Maendeleo Endelevu Action Programme (MEAP), which works with communities across Kenya.

Ng'ang'a Thiong'o, participated in the Colombia Exhange between 2004 and 2009

"The Amazon is in a level all of its own. In Africa we tend to separate issues - we spend a lot of time dealing with either environmental conservation or education or forestry or HIV. In the Amazon everything is recognised as interconnected, so it's one 'eco-habitat' if you like. That reality of oneness is what shapes their consciousness. The elders in the Amazon are deeply rooted in their environment because for them there is no separation.

The Colombian experience helped us to distill the core values of Earth Jurisprudence and Community Ecological Governance. We were able to distill values in a much more practical, day to day context so that they are not just theories presented in a classroom.

The impact of the process has been tremendous because it has changed the way that I view law, environment, Nature, the planet and how the whole planet works. I have met amazing people like Brian Goodwin and Stephan Harding, and they have explained legal concepts scientifically so that I now know that any law without its roots in Nature is doomed for failure. I know that legal systems must be aligned to the way that Nature works."

In loving memory of Ng'ang'a Thiong'o who sadly passed away in 2010. His work lives on through Porini Association the Kenyan organisation which he co-founded. Thiong'o was a highly respected Human Rights advocate whose life was transformed when he was inspired by Thomas Berry's Earth Jurisprudence. Thiong'o then became a committed "barefoot lawyer", inspired by the Colombian Amazon. He was dedicated to learning from the Elders and enabling diverse cultures to be recognised as living expressions of human diversity, all embedded in the universal understanding of Earth Law. He gave this interview at the close of 2009.

To find out more about Earth Jurisprudence and its principles visit our Earth Law section. You can also listen to the podcast of a talk which Thiong'o gave in London in 2010 during his last visit to the UK: Earth Jurisprudence in the African Context.