Abstract:

This document is based on Ken Paul’s presentation on sustainable governance of planet Earth and the oceans for the meeting “Transformation of food systems: perspectives of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas” held in Yunguilla, Ecuador, with the participation of representatives of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas. It presents a model based on the indigenous worldview for governance and sustainability, articulated in four directions representing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This model has an application both at the individual and societal levels, where each direction corresponds to an area of societal organization: physicaleconomic, mental-political, emotional-social, and spiritual-cultural. From this perspective, modern societies often find themselves in a state of imbalance, fueled by fear and the unequal prioritization of the economy and technology over other elements, such as biodiversity and the well-being of communities. To restore balance, mobilization through love is proposed, hand in hand with equitable partnerships with indigenous peoples and nations, the integration of their knowledge, and long-term planning, with the aim of moving toward governance with a holistic approach.

Keywords: Indigenous worldview, four directions, governance, model, sustainability