In the 42nd session of our Climate Leadership Conversations, Iyari Balderas, a Mexican climate activist, shared his insights and experiences with the audience. The session was moderated by POP and featured questions from various youth leaders.

Ana Hanhausen from Mexico asked Iyari about his perspective on leadership. Iyari emphasized the importance of delegation, recognizing that one person cannot do everything, and the need for teamwork and clarity of purpose in order to have a greater impact on the cause.

Iván Ransom, also from Mexico, inquired about how Iyari integrates the perspectives and worldviews of indigenous communities into the development of public policies. Iyari explained that through dialogue and community assemblies, he acts as a bridge between different sectors, fostering a deeper understanding and incorporating diverse viewpoints. Through his work, Iyari and his team create documents that allow them to summarize what was discussed and take it to the table for consideration during national and international dialogues-.

Alejandra Fragoso, another participant from Mexico, askes about the significance and importance of prior consultation protocols. Iyari discussed that the autonomous protocol of prior consultation, which was developed in collaboration with communities in the Riviera Maya, is the first of its kind. He highlighted its role in preventing conflicts, promoting community participation, and establishing consultation rules based on national and international legislation.

Ricardo Delgado from Venezuela asked Iyari about the learnings he gained from traveling across indigenous communities in Mexico and the challenges he sees in these communities in the fight against climate change and social justice. Iyari shared that understanding the realities of different communities and involving them in project development has been key to creating a positive impact and working with them. He mentioned several examples in which his work has been successful in bridging communication gaps and promoting social and environmental justice, but he also acknowledged that organized crime can present obstacles to implementation in certain areas.

Jean Félix from Cameroon sought Iyari’s recommendations for young people interested in becoming climate activists. Iyari encouraged youth to specialize in different sectors related to climate change, communicate the importance of the issue effectively, and consider the short, medium, and long-term impact of their projects.

Throughout the session, Iyari emphasized the significance of teamwork, collaboration, and the need for diverse perspectives in addressing climate change and promoting social justice. His experiences working with indigenous communities and her insights into policy development provided valuable lessons for aspiring climate activists.

About the guest:

Iyari Balderas Cruz, 23, is a student of Environmental Sustainability at IBERO CDMX. It is dedicated to developing sustainable public policies and projects with a structural-systemic approach with the aim of improving people’s quality of life, considering the environment, the climate crisis, the economy, public safety, human health, culture, gender, indigenous communities and social justice.

Iyari Balderas is the Coordinator of the Volum Chiapas youth group and is part of the Youth Division of Climate Change, the Leñateros Workshop, REACCIONA and Artemisa Initiative. He has proposed the Environmental Labeling Law Initiative and has been co-creator of the first Autonomic Protocols of Prior Consultation in Mexico. He is also co-creator of the Artemisa Project, which seeks to promote sustainable mobility with social justice in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas.

In addition, Iyari works on the creation of an alternative constitutional reform in energy matters from civil society and collaborates with the cooperative Taller Leñateros to preserve and expand the culture of indigenous peoples through sustainable art. He has participated in the reactivation of the Recreational Route in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, and provides accompaniment and advice to communities in socio-environmental conflicts.

Currently, Iyari travels the country, visiting ejidos, indigenous communities, rural and urban areas to learn about their problems and the people who face them.