Constructing autonomy and socio-territorial governance in the Wampis Nation's territory of life Leaders of the Wampis nation (Northern Peru) to meet the St Andrews community

All are welcome to a gathering and dialogue with two leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation in the northern Peruvian Amazon, who will share how their deep ancestral wisdom and struggle to build autonomy are integral to managing and protecting their territory, culture and forests, despite the threats they face, to the benefit of their communities and us all.

In 2015, the Wampis declared the creation of the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation (GTANW) as part of a long-term strategy to reclaim control, governance and management over their ancestral lands, covering more than 1.3 million hectares (13,277 km2). Whilst the Wampis' highly intact traditional forests have gained international recognition as some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, they are also facing a range of threats, including illegal gold mining, logging, hydrocarbons concessions and pipeline contamination, and the effects of climate change.

Within this context, and as part of their purpose of reaching tarimat pujut, or good living in harmony with nature, the GTANW exercises socio-territorial governance and control to strengthen and consolidate their system of care, conservation and use of their territory, forests and biodiversity, taking direct action to counter harmful activities. The GTANW also aims to strengthen democratic values of inclusion through public policy proposals to the Peruvian State. Finally, the GTANW is also engaged in designing and enacting an alternative plan to socio-economic development that encompasses autonomous initiatives around health, education, justice, communications, transport, women and youth, and livelihoods.

This gathering provides an opportunity to meet with two inspiring Wampis leaders, Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati, the Pamuk or elected president of the GTANW, and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat, the GTANW's Director of Justice, to explore land defence in the Peruvian Amazon, autonomous self-government, the construction of sustainable community economies and how international solidarity can support these efforts.

The visit of the leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation is supported by Forest Peoples Programme (FPP).