How to listen to marginalized voices in climate work

Social Impact Assessments have always led myself and many other social workers to think critically. I'm sharing my experiences as a social expert, working in different landscapes and the challenges communities face, especially women. Women and youths are always marginalized when it relates to development. The lack of many developers approach to sustainable development and management has pushed many communities to fast becoming spectators on their own land. Basic needs within a community is identified by conducting meetings with women. If you're a social expert, you will agree that, women will report facts. Their eyes don't focus on exterior wealth but they focus more on sustainable wealth. Women are great thinkers. They are more visionary and will always speak from their experiences. While men talk about external wealth, women discuss the most basic need her community needs, like water and elementary classrooms and a good road. Men may think of purchasing vehicles and managing businesses, but women think of the distance between their village and the nearest aidpost or market and a good home. Men think of what their land may bring in terms of income, but women think of water, land for gardening and basic necessities. Women speak about their experiences, while men discuss their dreams. If you're a community development facilitator, learn to listen to the small still voices, that gather at the background or in a small haus kuk (outdoor kitchen). Walk down the nearest creek and listen to the women fetching water or doing laundry. Interview women working in the garden or those that are returning from the market. Speak to the village birth attendant (VBA), and she will reveal to you the number of births and deaths she dealt with, in a community that exists within the periphery of a bustling industry and capital town or city that doesn't even care about it's corporate responsibilities. Stop the small girls returning from school, share a smile and listen to them speak about the distance from their school to their village. You'll be surprised, how far their school is, but they still manage to walk. It's heartbreaking at times, but someone's got to do the needful and most times, women are the ones that fill the missing gaps. #communityneedsanalysis #socialimpacts #womenempowerment

Today, on International Youth Day, we celebrate the boundless energy and innovative spirit of young people worldwide. As a climate professional with over a decade dedicated to youth policy advocacy in the Global South, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of youth engagement in addressing the climate crisis. Young people are at the forefront of climate change impacts, yet their voices are often marginalized in the decision-making processes. From the Pacific Islands to the African continent, youth are demonstrating exceptional leadership and resilience. However, systemic barriers continue to hinder their full participation in climate discourse. From underrepresentation in climate negotiations to insufficient funding for youth-led initiatives, the challenges are complex and multifaceted. These obstacles not only impede progress but also undermine the principles of intergenerational equity and justice. 💪 Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future ♻️☘️ To create a truly sustainable future and harness the full potential of youth in addressing climate change, we must invest in youth leadership and create an enabling environment for their meaningful participation. Their unique perspectives, grounded in lived experiences, are invaluable in developing effective and equitable strategies to combat climate change. This includes: ✳️ Prioritizing youth inclusion: Governments, organizations, and businesses must actively seek out youth perspectives and integrate them into climate policies, strategies & programs. ✳️ Providing resources and support: Investing in youth-led initiatives, capacity building, and mentorship is essential to empower young people to become effective change agents. ✳️ Challenging stereotypes: We must shift the narrative surrounding youth and recognize their valuable contributions to climate solutions. ✳️ Fostering intergenerational collaboration: Building partnerships between young people and experienced professionals can accelerate progress and create a more inclusive climate movement. ✳️ Mainstreaming Action-Oriented Opportunities: Equip youth with essential knowledge, tools, and skills for effective risk preparedness and active engagement in climate action. My blog post for the MECCE Project led by Sustainability and Education Policy Network delves deeper into the challenges and opportunities surrounding youth inclusion in climate governance. It offers concrete recommendations for stakeholders to foster a more equitable future. ♻️☘️Read here https://lnkd.in/gV-XzGCa ☘️ I believe investing in youth leadership and amplifying young voices are essential for enabling a just transition and building climate resilience. ☘️ Do share your thoughts on how you believe youth voices can be better integrated across various platforms, sectors, and policy processes. #InternationalYouthDay #YouthInclusion #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice

“I’m not in a leadership role and I don’t control the budget, so how do I support Indigenous professionals in a meaningful way?” This is a question I've been asked many times recently, especially from people who care deeply, but feel like they’re on the sidelines. Here’s the truth: You don’t need a title to make a difference. And the ripple effect of everyday choices? It’s real. If you’re wondering where to start, here are some accessible, meaningful ways to support Indigenous-led work - whether you’re a student, manager, admin, or anywhere in between: 1. Engage with Indigenous professionals online. Like, comment on, and share posts that speak to truth, insight, and innovation. It signals to the algorithm (and your network) that these voices matter. 2. Share what’s resonating with you. Bring Indigenous thought leaders into your daily conversations. “I heard this great insight from an Indigenous speaker the other day…” Even casual mentions help normalize Indigenous voices in professional spaces. 3. Refer, recommend, and reshare. Even if you don’t hold decision-making power, someone in your network might. A thoughtful introduction or reshare can open an important door. 4. Uplift Indigenous expertise in conversations that shape direction. In meetings, planning sessions, or policy discussions - name whose ideas are influencing you. Cite the Indigenous thinker. Center their work. Normalize Indigenous knowledge as credible and powerful. 5. Keep learning. Read Indigenous authors. Listen to Indigenous podcasts. Not just about trauma or injustice, but about leadership, joy, innovation, sovereignty, and vision. This isn’t about performative allyship. It’s about relational action. About understanding that support isn’t just structural, it’s also social. We notice who shows up. We notice who uplifts. And it matters. So if you’ve ever wondered, “What can I do?” - this is your reminder: Start where you are. Your actions ripple. #Allyship #IndigenousBusiness #ReconciliationInAction #ValuesBasedLeadership #Decolonization

In every role I’ve held, whether in policing, building supply, home inspection, or now leading Zachary Knight Enterprises, I’ve had to navigate two worlds. That experience has taught me about Code-Shifting: the constant need to change how we speak, behave, and present ourselves so that Indigenous voices are heard in spaces built without us in mind. For many of us, this looks like: - Choosing words carefully so our ideas aren’t dismissed. - Explaining our realities in terms that fit government or corporate frameworks rather than our own. - Leaving parts of who we are at the door so that “the room” will listen. - Carrying the weight of representing whole Nations in spaces that rarely take the time to understand us. This is not inclusion. It is survival within systems that still do not feel safe or welcoming. When Indigenous voices are forced to adapt, we lose something valuable: Authenticity. And with that, the solutions we bring often get watered down until they fit the comfort zone of institutions rather than the needs of our people. So I want to ask those who hold decision-making power: - When you invite Indigenous voices to your tables, do those tables require us to shift? - Are your systems built to hear us only if we conform, or are you creating spaces where Indigenous perspectives can show up fully, without translation? If you’re serious about change, here are a few places to start: - Create spaces that listen differently: Value lived experience and community knowledge as much as technical reports. - Shift the timelines: Many funding processes move at a pace that excludes communities still recovering from decades of underinvestment. - Simplify the systems: Procurement, funding, and reporting requirements often act as barriers for Indigenous organizations. Reduce these barriers if you want authentic participation. - Invest in capacity, not just projects: Support training and leadership in communities so that solutions come from within, not from outside consultants. - Be accountable: Inclusion is not a checkbox; it is a responsibility to ensure that Indigenous participation leads to actual decision-making power, not tokenism. In my current work with Inspector in a Box, I see every day how powerful it is when communities take control of their own housing solutions. They no longer need to shift to fit a system, they are building their own. The path forward is clear: we need to move from expecting Indigenous people to fit into existing systems, to transforming those systems so they finally fit all of us. #IndigenousInnovation #Leadership #HousingSolutions #InspectorInABox #ReconciliationInAction #ZacharyKnightEnterprises