GONDWANA – RECONNECTING RESILIENT CULTURES

The concept of Gondwana provides a powerful and unifying theme for the 13th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) in Australia.

• Gondwana reconnects the continents and subcontinents of Africa, Antarctica, Arabia, Australia, India, Madagascar, South America, and Zealandia and our shared oceans and seas.
• Gondwanan places uniquely share in the world’s most ancient and resilient ecosystems and cultures, and this is strongly endorsed by consulted Whadjuk Noongar (the traditional owners of the land around Perth, Western Australia) stakeholders.
• Gondwana originated as a Sanskrit word, describing a region in central India. In this original use, it encapsulates both people (the Gond, a Dravidian people) and place (vana, the forest). Whadjuk Noongar stakeholders were supportive of using this language as language preservation is a global experience.
• The term Resilient Cultures acknowledges respect for First Nations people across Australia, the Southern Hemisphere, and globally. This is strongly endorsed by consulted Whadjuk Noongar stakeholders as it reinforces the legacy of ancient cultural connections locally and globally.
• Gondwana calls for a renewed age-old relationship of looking into ancient pasts and listening to future voices. This resonated with consulted Whadjuk Noongar stakeholders as it emulates the need and aspiration to access ancient knowledge and reinterpret this knowledge to create solutions.

The rationale explores how the idea of Gondwana aligns with and enhances the goals of environmental education, particularly in promoting a global commitment to interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary knowledge. It also highlights how Gondwana’s historical, cultural, and ecological significance can enrich the Congress’s discussions and outcomes.

Reconnecting Continents and Cultures

• Gondwana reconnects the continents and subcontinents the Southern Hemisphere, symbolising a deep geological and cultural interconnection.
• This reconnection resonates with the WEEC’s aim to enhance environmental education globally, reminding us of our shared heritage and the need for collective action.
• The ancient supercontinent’s legacy underscores the importance of collaboration across borders, disciplines, and cultures in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.

Embracing Ancient Ecosystems and Resilient Cultures

• The continents once part of Gondwana share some of the world’s most ancient and resilient ecosystems and cultures.
• Highlighting these shared traits can inspire a deeper appreciation and commitment to preserving biodiversity and cultural diversity.
• This aligns with the WEEC’s goal by promoting an understanding of the intricate relationships between nature and human societies, reinforcing the need for eco-citizenship, multiculturalism, and peace.

Respecting First Nations and Traditional Knowledge

• Gondwana, derived from a Sanskrit word encapsulating both people (the Gond) and place (vana, the forest), emphasising respect for First Nations people globally.
• This respect is crucial in environmental education, which must integrate traditional and empirical knowledge with Western science.
• This advances the discussions from the 12th WEEC on how to honour and incorporate indigenous perspectives and wisdom into contemporary environmental education, fostering a holistic approach to sustainability.