Over the years, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change led by the Conference of the Parties (COP) has had an increasing interest in bringing to the table the voices and visions of those who are the most affected by climate change. This participatory approach has had an increased focus on women, children, communities of color, and native peoples around the world. This is a step forward in ensuring that those who are the most vulnerable to climate change play a role in the decision-making processes affecting them. But there’s a long way to go.
The Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing offer guidelines for making this involvement more equitable and just. They invite us to take a step back and let the visions of those who are the most affected lead us into action. Developed in 1996 at the “Working Group meeting on Globalization and Trade” in Jemez, New Mexico,these guidelines have been adopted by activist and civil society groups in the United States to work with communities of color and vulnerable populations. Climate Action Network has affirmed and integrated these principles and the hope is that more activist groups across the United States, the international community, and parties at COP will follow the lead.
The principles highlight six action-based principles geared towards representation, just relationships and intersectionality.
#1 Be Inclusive
The Jemez principles propose that in order to achieve just societies, no one can be left behind. All people have to be included in decision-making and have an equitable share of wealth, work and access to information. Moving away from tokenism, we need to be intentional about diversifying our spaces and making sure everyone feels empowered to contribute.
#2 Emphasis on Bottom-Up Organizing
To make our work sustainable, it is important to reach out into new constituencies, and to involve into our decision-making all levels of leadership and membership of our organizations. Building and strengthening a base provides us with credibility for the constituencies we serve and enhances our strategies by developing new leaders.
#3 Let People Speak for Themselves
We must ensure that the voices of the people who are directly affected are heard. Spokespersons and organizations should be aware of their positionalities and clarify their roles to effectively represent and be accountable to the affected constituencies.
#4 Work Together in Solidarity an Mutuality
Groups and organizations with similar visions and working on the same issues should act in solidarity, and mutuality and support each other’s work. This means building relationships and adopting each other’s values in order to not only lend support to other groups but to integrate their visions and efforts into our own.
#5 Build Just Relationships
The principles highlight the importance of building just and reciprocal relationships that are not transactional. Relationships must be based on justice, respect, and accountability to one another. This requires listening and getting to know the values and visions of the people and communities we are working with.
#6 Commitment to Self-Transformation
Lastly, we must transition from individualism to community-centered mess. We must transform our approaches and embody justice, peace, and community.
Effective climate change action requires “changing together.” This means being in relationship and accountability with each other, setting higher ambitions and committing to accomplishing our goals.