US Support for Young Indigenous Leaders on Climate Action
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Youth Coordinator, Sarah Sladen, will moderate a dynamic discussion with young Indigenous leaders working on climate action in their communities. Hear their stories of motivation and celebration of personal identity in their climate change efforts. The session will cover the challenges and opportunities young Indigenous youth face in activating a “just transition” towards sustainable environments and societies.
Speakers
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Yodhikson BangOperations Manager, Thresher Shark IndonesiaYodhikson Bang
Operations Manager, Thresher Shark Indonesia
Member of Matulelang Tribe, Alor Island, Indonesia. My name is Yodhikson M. Bang (Dicky), and I am a member of the Matulelang Tribal group from Alor Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. I am the Operations Manager at Thresher Shark Indonesia (Yayasan Teman Laut Indonesia), a youth-led NGO focused on conserving endangered thresher sharks and supporting coastal communities. In my role, I lead field projects and build relationships with partners, including the government, indigenous communities, tourism actors, and the public. Currently, I lead and support several projects: improving marine resource conservation and empowering small-scale fisheries in Alor, integrating marine conservation curriculum into elementary schools, assisting former shark fishers and their wives in new livelihoods, and conducting extensive conservation outreach across Alor, Flores, and Banda regions. Before joining Thresher Shark Indonesia, I was a Facilitator at Humanity Inclusion. I helped vulnerable community groups, such as women, girls, and people with disabilities, gain equal access to economic development. Additionally, I lead my church community, motivating youths to maximize their potential by minimizing plastic use and restoring mangrove areas for climate resilience.
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Sarah SladenAgency Youth Coordinator, USAIDSarah Sladen
Agency Youth Coordinator, USAID
Sarah Sladen is the Agency Youth Coordinator overseeing the advancement of USAID’s Policy for Youth in Development and its goals to increase young people’s access to and participation in the services, practices, and policies that impact their lives. Ms. Sladen brings more than 15 years of technical experience in international youth development, including promoting youth economic opportunities; coalition building and advocacy; and peacebuilding and conflict resolution. She joins USAID after serving as a Technical Advisor for Youth Engagement and, before that, as Director of the Youth Economic Opportunities Network at Making Cents International. Ms. Sladen previously led the growth and management of the Alliance for International Youth Development at InterAction, where she coordinated community advocacy for the inclusion and prioritization of youth issues in U.S. foreign assistance. Her past roles have also included program support with the Educational Quality Improvement Program at the Education Development Center Inc., and, at Seeds of Peace, youth leadership and peacebuilding programming with youth from the Middle East, South Asia, the Balkans, and the United States. Ms. Sladen holds a master’s degree in international development with a concentration in children and youth from the School of International Service at American University, and a bachelor’s degree in politics from Mount Holyoke College.
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Silvia Alejandra Miranda LoredoFounder and President, Women with Power FoundationSilvia Alejandra Miranda Loredo
Founder and President, Women with Power Foundation
Silvia Miranda Loredo is a Honduran Garifuna lawyer with a strong focus in advocating for equality in human rights, peacebuilding, and promoting women’s empowerment. She is founder and president of the Women with Power Foundation which aims to provide financial and academic resources for indigenous and afro descendent women and girls in their continuous learning. Women with Power Foundation empowers women and girls through peacebuilding activities, leadership workshops, and English classes which stimulates them to advocate for their rights. By seeking peace, equality in rights, and women empowerment, Silvia hopes to bring education to marginalized communities. Silvia is currently graduating from Law School in Honduras and is studying her Master's Degree in Business Administration at the European School of Business. Silvia hopes for a more peaceful and equitable environment in which every girl gets access to quality education.
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Daniel MachesSocial Media Coordinator, Naturland PhilippinesDaniel Maches
Social Media Coordinator, Naturland Philippines
Daniel Maches or Kumafor is a young Indigenous leader from the Lias Tribe in norther Philippines. Since high school, he has been advocating for the conservation of their forests and cultural heritage through publications and multi-media productions. He has also actively engaged with the youth to participate in the advocacy. In 2021, he started Barlig Rainforest Coffee Project to pilot sustainable agriculture in the community and develop sustainable livelihoods. It his goal that through this project, more community members will be encouraged to plant crops in a sustainable manner and considering indigenous farming principles. Meanwhile, the project has also brought his community’s coffee to mainstream limelight as the limited produce were showcased in national to international coffee exhibitions. In 2022, he started a Slow Food Community called Indigenous Youth Eco-Cultural Warriors of Mountain Province to promote indigenous food preservation. At present, he is initiating projects to document and preserve the community’s heirloom produce and wild products with economic potential for preservation purpose. He has also called for stewardship of his community’s forests and actively contributed his insights to sustainability as a writer and columnist on leading national newspapers such as Manila Bulletin and Philippine Star.