Advisory Council Members

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Jairo

Project management / strategic planning

Jairo Lima, a dedicated pedagogue and a passionate advocate for Indigenous Rights for over three decades, has been a steadfast follower of the Indigenous peoples’ movement in Acre. He has shared his mission with Benki Piyãko Ashaninka for more than 30 years. As a founding member of the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute, Jairo holds a prominent position on the Council, contributing his wisdom and dedication to their shared cause.

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Eliane

 Executive secretary and strategic planning / Projects  

Eliane Fernandes Ferreira, an accomplished anthropologist, has been a dedicated supporter of Benki Piyãko and the Ashaninka people of the Amônia River since 2004. Holding a PhD from the University of Bremen in Germany, she has contributed significantly to the discourse on the state of Indigenous communities in Brazil through her publications, including books and articles. From 2009 to 2020, Eliane served as a researcher at various universities, including Marburg, Bremen, and Hamburg. Presently, she channels her expertise into Indigenous Rights issues by collaborating with the German NGO, The Society for Threatened Peoples. She also plays a pivotal role at the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute, furthering her commitment to Indigenous causes.

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Ben

Advisor

Ben Meeus holds a Master’s degree in International and European Law and a second master’s degree in Latin American Studies. He has contributed to the work of Amnesty International and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR). Committed to the protection of tropical rainforests and indigenous rights, he also served the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) by coordinating the implementation of the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI) in Brazil, Colombia, DRC, Peru and Indonesia. He now serves as CEO of Tudo Bem Consultoria, where he guides and supports frontline strategy work for critical ecosystem protection.

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Flore

Advisor and Public Relations

Flore Ferjani was born and raised in Tunisia and moved to New York City at the age of 8, where she spent seven years before relocating to France. She studied in international schools until the age of 18 and continued her higher education at a French business school, specializing in international business and marketing. Flore has held various roles in the aviation sector, including general marketing, partner communication and regional marketing. Currently, she is dedicated to nature conservation through her involvement with the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative and the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute in Brazil. At IYT, she is a member of the Advisory Council, providing guidance and support for projects, coordinating visits, and assisting with various aspects of the organization’s work.


Collaborators

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Fernanda

           Indigenous Rights Protection

Fernanda, a lawyer and anthropologist, specializes in merging indigenous and scientific knowledge. She works to support indigenous communities in preserving biodiversity, upholding traditional medicines, and advancing their cosmologies. Exploring the influence of indigenous rituals and medicines on Western viewpoints, she delves into various perspectives on existence. Additionally, she investigates themes such as consciousness in non-human entities, co-evolution, trust, reciprocity, and shared intentionality. Collaborating with the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute, Fernanda safeguards indigenous rights concerning traditional knowledge, medicines, and genetic resources.

Her initiative aims to protect indigenous rights by ensuring respect and benefit for traditional practices, medicines, and knowledge in modern health and environmental policies. It addresses issues like the use of indigenous medicines and emphasizes transparency on matters like traditional knowledge, benefit-sharing, and regulation. Through activities like Ayahuasca Indigenous Conferences and online platforms, it seeks to safeguard indigenous rights and ensure fair distribution of benefits from indigenous knowledge.

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