Indonesia: local activist wins international prize

CAFOD is thrilled by news that Aleta Baun, an indigenous Mollo leader from Indonesia, has been awarded the prestigious 2013 Goldman Environmental Prize – the world’s largest prize honouring “grassroots” environmentalists.

This prize has earned international recognition for Aleta’s cause, which is supported by CAFOD’s Indonesian partner. She also wins US$150,000 to pursue her vision of a protected environment.

Mama Aleta’s Mountain

The Mutis Mountain is an area of rich biodiversity and the lifeblood of the indigenous Mollo population. But when mining companies started cutting marble from the mountain, It threatened Aleta’s people’s territorial rights and very survival.

The operation caused deforestation and landslides and polluted the major rivers which supply drinking and irrigation water to much of the island.

Aleta and three other women began raising awareness in remote mountain communities, sometimes walking for more than six hours to reach them.

She became a target for the mining interests, even resulting in an assassination attempt which forced her into hiding with her baby.

But Aleta refused to give in, and what began as four women evolved into a 150-strong protest movement that culminated in the women occupying the marble rocks in protest for a whole year.

This sustained and peaceful protest eventually forced the mining companies to abandon operations. Aleta now works to secure indigenous communities’ rights to land and resources now and in future.

“We stand by our way of life”

Marginalised communities in Indonesia have struggled for a long time against big corporations exploiting natural resources. They also face increasing threats from climate change.

“Around Indonesia, people are demanding policies that protect communities from corporate greed and natural hazards, and prioritise programs to cope with climate change”, explains Siti Maimunah, National coordinator of Civil Society Forum for Climate Justice (CSF).

CAFOD funds CSF to work with grassroots groups like Aleta’s, to help vulnerable communities develop strategies to respond to climate change, and be heard in decisions about climate justice.

Accepting her prize, Mama Aleta said,“We, the community of Mollo, Amanatun, and Amanuban tribes, stand by our way of life, which we see as the only way to live in balance with our environment: we only sell what we create, and we will not sell what we cannot create.”

The Goldman Prize has honoured “grassroots” environmental heroes from every continent, who go to great lengths to protect the environment, often at great personal risk.

By honouring ordinary people who have led their communities to make extraordinary changes, the prize inspires others to take action to protect the natural world.

Aleta said: "For the Indigenous Timor people, the earth is our body; land is our flesh; water is our blood; forest is the artery and hair; and stone is the backbone. If one of these parts goes missing, the earth will be paralyzed.”