Franco Augusto and Shail Sathi conducted these conversations during the second in-person Assembly of the Global TapestryThe weaving of networks of Alternatives of AlternativesAre activities and initiatives, concepts, worldviews, or action proposals by collectives, groups, organizations, communities, or social movements challenging and replacing the dominant system that perpetuates inequality, exploitation, and unsustainabiity. In the GTA we focus primarily on what we call "radical or transformative alternatives", which we define as initiatives that are attempting to break with the dominant system and take paths towards direct and radical forms of political and economic democracy, localised self-reliance, social justice and equity, cultural and knowledge diversity, and ecological resilience. Their locus is neither the State nor the capitalist economy. They are advancing in the process of dismantling most forms of hierarchies, assuming the principles of sufficiency, autonomy, non-violence, justice and equality, solidarity, and the caring of life and the Earth. They do this in an integral way, not limited to a single aspect of life. Although such initiatives may have some kind of link with capitalist markets and the State, they prioritize their autonomy to avoid significant dependency on them and tend to reduce, as much as possible, any relationship with them. (GTAGlobal Tapestry of Alternatives) in Bandung, Indonesia, from April 11 to 17, 2026. The recordings were produced by Franco Augusto, Yoko Yonanta, and Zharfan Shahabi, and edited by Marco Andrade.

All the interviews are subtitled in English and Spanish.

Crianzas Mutuas Colombia / Unitierra Manizales

I am a retired public accountant from Manizales, Colombia, with a deep-seated passion for community service and social justice. For the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to advocacy through organizations like 'Subámonos al Bus del POT' and UNITIERRA, focusing on securing dignified housing, income, and respect for the rights of the most vulnerable citizens.

Related information:

• Unitierra Manizales

Crianza Mutua México / Granja Kokopelli

She is an engineer and a farmer. She is passionate about permaculture and agroecology. She has learned to produce seeds and vegetables for her family in a biointensive garden. Over the past 13 years, she has accumulated experiences that she enjoys sharing with those who seek to live more sustainably and in harmony with nature.

Related information:

• Granja Kokopelli

Crianzas Mutuas Colombia / Ecofinca La Soledad

My academic background and life experiences have fostered a belief in the positive transformation of territories. This is why I seek tools to foster dialogue about nature, community, and the land. I am passionate about community-based education and strengthening the social and environmental fabric.

Related information:

• Ecofinca La Soledad

Crianzas Mutuas Colombia

Lives in Donachui in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia as a member of the Iku people. When he was young his family moved to the central zone in the Kwarte Umuke community, where he began his studies at the ethno-educative institution Imanuel Lyceum of the North. After finishing his studies in 2019, he began the process of remembering his ancestral culture.

Crianzas Mutuas Colombia / Tejido de transicionantes por el Valle geográfico del río Cauca / Asociación Casa Cultural El Chontaduro

Black feminist and activist for the defense of ethnic-territorial rights and the rights of women who are ethnicized and racialized as black and indigenous. Her concern for oppression—from her position as a black woman of African descent—led her to join and become deeply involved with the collective “otras negras… y feministas!” (other black women… and feminists!), the El Chontaduro Cultural Association, the Tejido de transicionantes (Transitioners' Network) in the Cauca River valley region, and Crianzas Mutuas Colombia. Her experiences have been lived in the Pacific region, northern Cauca, and eastern Cali in Colombia, reflecting on the territorial logic of Black people and the implications of the racist capitalist patriarchal system on the lives of racialized and ethnicized women—Black and Indigenous—and the paths of re-existence to stand up against diverse forms of oppression.

Related information:

• Tejido de transicionantes por el Valle geográfico del río Cauca
• Asociación Casa Cultural El Chontaduro

Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

She is a Ecuadorian activist and environmental leader, internationally recognized for her relentless efforts in defending the Rights of Nature and climate justice. She was one of the main advocates for the “Rights of Nature” concept, which in 2008 made Ecuador the first country in the world to include this principle in its Constitution, setting a global precedent in environmental law. Currently, Natalia serves as the Global Director of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

Related information:

• Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

Vikalp Sangam / Blue Ribbon Movement

Pankati is part of the facilitation team at Vikalp Sangam, a collective she resonates with for the relationships, shared learning and diverse journeys it weaves together. She has been in the social space for over seven years, beginning as a fellow with the Community Connect Fellowship in 2018, and later continuing as a volunteer and full-time team member with the Blue Ribbon Movement. She loves being around people, doing things together and learning along the way. And when she’s not doing all this, you’ll probably find her crocheting or stitching something with her hands.

Related information:

• Blue Ribbon Movement

Crianza Mutua México / Cooperativa de Consumo Consciente Milpa

Paulo Orozco, son of Martha and Roberto, and father of Gastón Esteban. A member of the CCC Milpa since its founding. Professor at ITESO, the Jesuit university in Guadalajara. Community nutritionist with an interest in food sovereignty, agroecology, urban collectives, and the rural-urban connection.

Related information:

• Cooperativa de Consumo Consciente Milpa

Crianza Mutua México / Ch'ich' Community Government - Chilon and Yutsilal Balumilal Community Autonomous Plurivercity

I am a young Tseltal woman from a community, I represent the community government of Ch'ich' - Chilon and the Plurivercidad Yutsilal Balumilal where we are working for an education based on our ancestors and we also work in community government to rescue our customs and traditions.

Related information:

• Ch'ich' Community Government

Crianza Mutua México / ⁠Colectivo sí a la vida / Custodios del arroyo San Miguel / Saberes y Sabores Jalpa

I am 33 years old. I was born in the southern part of Mexico City, on the urbanized slopes of the Chichinautzin mountain range. Through the urban practice of parkour, I became acquainted with different territories, community organizing, self-management, and received informal training in facilitating learning. This, combined with my understanding of social issues gained from various marches in the city and my attraction to what could be called ecological and environmental activities, has led me to connect with defenders of waterways, territories, community life, counterculture, and critical learning.

Related information:

• Saberes y Sabores Jalpa

Crianza Mutua México / Unitierra Huitzo Yelao

I am part of Unitierra Huitzo Yelao, a collective made up mostly of women that works to defend the land and promote community health in Oaxaca. For the past five years, I have collaborated with them on and off, my involvement aimed at continuing to learn and strengthen community knowledge and collective work as a path toward autonomy. I personally facilitate self-organized photo-embroidery workshops, and I also volunteer to learn about herbalism and regenerative practices such as medicinal agroforestry.

Related information:

• Unitierra Huitzo Yelao

MASSAMovement for Alternatives and Solidarity in Southeast Asia (South East Asia) / Council of Chieftains of the Timuay Justice and Governance

In our language, the Timuay Justice and Governance is called Kesefanangguwit Timuay. It is a system of governance and leadership structure our ancestors practice since time immemorial. With the advent of colonialism and the establishment of the present Philippine government system, this was weakened and we were able to restore in since the late 1980s to the present.

Vikalp Sangam / The Timbaktu Collective

C.K. Ganguly, known as Bablu, is a veteran development activist who transitioned from political advocacy for labor rights to co-founding the Timbaktu Collective in 1990. Based in Andhra Pradesh, he manages an organic farm and leads large-scale initiatives in ecological restoration, financial inclusion for women, and food sovereignty for smallholder farmers. Over four decades, he has been instrumental in establishing numerous grassroots organizations and networks dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. Currently, he serves as Chairperson of the Timbaktu Collective and holds leadership roles globally as a board member and Vice President of IFOAM Organics International.

Related information:

• The Timbaktu Collective

MASSA / Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)

Hi this is Seavmey, a Feminist Education Program Coordinator at GADC, coordinates efforts to build feminist leadership and promote gender justice through education, research, and advocacy. She works with diverse stakeholders to translate feminist principles into meaningful action, particularly in SRHR and youth engagement spaces.

Related information:

• Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)

Health of Mother Earth Foundation

He is director of the ecological think-tank, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and member steering committee of Oilwatch International. He was chair of Friends of the Earth International (2008-2012) and Executive Director of Nigeria’s Environmental Rights Action (1993-2013). He was a co-recipient of the 2010 Right Livelihood Award also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” In 2012 he received the Rafto Human Rights Award.

Related information:

• Health of Mother Earth Foundation

Vikalp Sangam / Catalyst Now/ World March of Women

Sehjo Singh started out asan award-winning independent documentary filmmaker, she made several films on social and political concerns over two decades that were widely used by civil society groups . She later served in top management positions in the development sector in India and Ethiopia and now supports grassroots groups on climate resilience. She is also part of the Vikalp Sangam Network in India and World Women’s March

Related information:

• World March of Women