Human-Nature: Relations, Resilience, Reciprocity

Abstract

Human-Nature commissioned by the British Council focuses on research undertaken with Indigenous communities in Malaysia. The overarching aim is to provide resources to creative practitioners - in responding to, addressing and raising awareness of the climate crisis - and its effects. Its objective is to prepare researchers, arts and creative practitioners and wider stakeholders interested in working with Malaysia-Bornean communities. It seeks to address the complexities and sensitivities required when engaging with Indigenous communities towards developing relational and reciprocal approaches that contribute to the resilience and sustainability of communities. The report lays out the Malaysian-Bornean background context including an exploration of how Borneo’s geographic features inform diverse ancestral practices. It highlights the potential and challenges within the Malaysia-Bornean contemporary landscape for UK and international cultural practitioners seeking to engage with communities respectfully and collaboratively. It introduces the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance in building resilience to climate-related emergencies with local communities. Through connecting arts-based creative practice and collective models it offers considerations and approaches to create ‘safe spaces’ to deepen understanding around how Indigenous knowledges and ancestral wisdom can facilitate reciprocal relations between Malaysia and the UK towards envisaging new sustainable and equitable models and ways of working. Central to these ways of working is to propose a shift in research design and creative approaches to foster more collaborative ways of working. The goal is to move away from extractive practices towards narratives centred on mutuality, reciprocity and exchange