In Episode #6 of The Power Shift: Decolonising Development, Emilie Tant, who leads work in strategic communications and policy around gender, discusses the links between feminism, decolonisation and climate change. Drawing on their experience of living, working and organising in Santiago (Chile), Emilie reflects on how feminist movements in the majority world are often 10 to 20 years ahead in thinking, compared to international development organisations. Emilie discusses Indigenous concepts such as cuerpo territorio and el buen vivir and reflects on how these value and knowledge systems have the power to flip traditional understanding of development goals. Emilie reflects on legitimacy and ego as a White European person working in decolonisation and talks about the importance of using power and privilege to advance decolonisation efforts.

Emilie Tant (pronouns she/they) contributes to elevating research on gender norms and how intersectional social movements drive deeper social change. They have now returned to the UK following nearly three years in Chile, where Emilie was active in the feminist movement and became engaged with the decolonial agenda. Emilie speaks Spanish, holds a Masters in International Relations, and has published on a number of media platforms, including the New Internationalist, the Guardian and gal-dem.

If you’re interested to find out more about Emilie’s work, take a look here: LinkedIn

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Resource Recommendations:

• Novara FM: Identity Politics Hijacked w/ Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò | Novara Media
• Planet B: Tina Ngata on Decolonising Oceans | Novara Media
• We need to talk about whiteness - with Dr Foluke  Ifejola Adebisi
• Al Jazeera - A fight for survival among Chile’s indigenous people: Mapuche people say Chile has exploited their lands & community
• LSE series - The Epistemic Urgency of Conceptual Diversity, June 1-2, 2021 - YouTube

Read:

• Kehinde Andrews - The New Age of Empire
• Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí - The Invention of Women 
• Steve Biko - I write what I like
• Emma Dabiri – What White People Can Do Next
• Walter Rodney – How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
• Chandra Mohanty - Under Western Eyes
• Tuck and Yang – Decolonisation is not a Metaphor

 Explore Latin American thinkers:

• Ochy Curiel
• Yurdurkeys Espinoza
• Boaventura de Sousa Santos – The end of cognitive empire
• Walter Mignolo
• Gladys Tzul Tzul