Empower with Nature - Interview with Maya Galimidi

June 20, 2024

By Bessy ADUT

Maya Galimidi is the founder of Empower with Nature, a transdisciplinary education platform. She is an International Ambassador for the Global Ecovillage Network. Maya has an MA in Ecology and Spirituality at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. She double majored in Public Relations and Management of Performing Arts at Istanbul Bilgi University. After graduating, Maya worked in London, New York City, Istanbul, and the Negev Desert. For the last 15 years, she has designed and produced international conferences in 30 different countries for the Wall Street Capital Markets, Healthcare, Human Resources, Marketing, Digitalisation, Copper and Government sectors; worked with politicians such as George W. Bush and Collin Powell. Maya obtained her Permaculture Design Certificate at Kibbutz Lotan. She worked as the Global Business Developer for Kibbutz Lotan Center for Creative Ecology and created eco-school projects in the Middle East and Brazil. Ecological education programs with universities in Europe and America. She is a climate action mentor at Techcamp under the US Department of States. Her teaching experience about ecology and purpose, nature and belonging, shifting perspectives, ecological consciousness, connecting with nature and observing the relationship between people and nature inspired her to establish Empower with Nature.

What are your current projects?

I am the Founder of Empower with Nature, an education platform dedicated to creating transdisciplinary education and projects for sustainability.

I also serve as an International Ambassador for the Global Ecovillage Network, a partner of UNESCO Green Education, and a member of the UN Environment Assembly and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.

Currently, we are collaborating with The Regenerative School, USA, a micro-university, to create a Master's Degree program in Regenerative Education. We believe the future lies in making a real-life impact by serving communities and fostering hands-on, experiential, and participatory research through individual projects.

I am involved in a project called "Seeds of Wisdom: Life to Land, Peace to People in Nigeria." This project promotes regenerative neuroeducation, women's empowerment, regenerative agriculture, and "People's Group Farming" in Nigeria and globally. As a part of Empower with Nature, we are contributing to women's empowerment aspect of this initiative, aiming to leverage their traditional ecological knowledge and enable them to become leaders in climate action.

Additionally, I am working on a project with the Vienna University of Applied Sciences and Technology that explores sensing system thinking and art, focusing on how we perceive nature and its systems and express these perceptions through art.

I am also involved in the "Erasmus Plus Sports Closer to Nature Project", teaching high school students about reforestation through hiking. Furthermore, I serve as a trainer in an interdisciplinary, youth-centered upskilling program aligned with the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Please share how you got started and got to where you are today...

I spent fourteen years in the corporate world, creating conferences in thirty countries across ten different sectors. This experience led me to question my purpose in life. I began to explore various fields, self-learning about UN reports, Sustainable Development Goals, theology, leadership, and ecology. I also took a transformative permaculture course at Kibbutz Lotan Center for Creative Ecology in Israel.

This journey led me to work as a Business Developer, connecting sustainable living and permaculture courses with universities and various disciplines. I pursued a master's degree in Ecology and Spirituality at the University of Wales, which inspired me to start Empower with Nature.

Empower with Nature is a team of twenty experts who are founders of their own initiatives, ecovillages, and tribal members. We teach a diverse range of subjects, including art, gastronomy, archaeology, leadership, renewable energies, water issues, landscape, and soil biology. Today, I bring various disciplines together to create educational programs focused on sustainability. My primary teaching areas include ecological consciousness, climate action, nature and belonging, ecological identity, and sustainable living.

Has it been a smooth road?

Literally and metaphorically, it was a journey that took me through deserts, mountains, rivers, islands, and cities. Along the way, I experienced a lot of self-learning, failures, and rising again moments.

Tell us more about your life and career...

I believe I am a very lucky person. Throughout my journey, I have undergone numerous career changes, switched sectors, left everything behind to start a new life in ecovillages, and moved from city life to village life, even changing countries along the way. Each place I’ve been has become a part of me, shaping who I am today. Every culture, geography, and living being I encountered has influenced both my personal life and career.

The people I’ve met, the courses I’ve taken, and the books I’ve read have continuously inspired me to take action. I’ve learned that sometimes what I anticipate to have a significant impact might not, and life has a way of closing some doors while opening others. This is how my life and career have evolved. I am grateful to be involved in all these projects, have been in all these countries and places eager to do more, and am hopeful that they will all have a positive impact.

What do you think goodness is?

I believe goodness originates from within a person. It’s not just about performing good deeds; it’s a profound aspect of one’s soul that drives the desire to help others. However, it can be challenging to determine whether our actions will truly help others. Sometimes, we may not immediately see the impact of our efforts, and in some cases, we might never know the full extent of our influence, as impacts can occur without our awareness. Over time, we may gain a better understanding, but it remains a complex and often elusive process.

Who are you outside of your professional life?

I am a lover of nature who enjoys wandering, dancing, swimming, and embracing the wildness and freedom of the earth. I cherish deep conversations with friends and new acquaintances and have a passion for learning about almost anything. Spending time with my loved ones is a top priority for me. I am deeply grateful for each day and focus on the beautiful aspects of life. The genuineness of people and the natural world truly melt my heart.

Are you interested in environmental issues?

My work and life revolve around environmental issues. I dedicate myself to understanding these challenges and finding effective solutions.

Do you think the world is not a good place right now?

We often live in our bubbles and silos, protected from the outside world. The changes we face —wars, natural disasters, climate change, and economic depression— are heartbreaking. However, I believe the world is a wonderful place, and we often forget that. The magic lies in the sunrise, sunset, stars, moon, shared meals, laughter, conversations, and moments of acknowledgment between us.

Life and the planet are a series of chaos and effects, and it's the small moments that remind us of the world's beauty. Despite life's challenges and the vastness of the cosmos, I am continually amazed and grateful to be here.

How do you make the world a better place?

I hope I am contributing in meaningful ways. I believe every tree I plant, every bit of help I offer to people and animals, and every smile and meaningful conversation I share helps make the world a better place. Through my projects and educational programs, I aim to empower people to use their own talents, disciplines, and ideas to create a more sustainable future.

How can we all make the world better?

I believe we make the world a better place by sharing who we are, what we have, and contributing in our own ways. Every small act holds significant value, even though we often forget this. The idea of making the world better can seem overwhelming, but it's achieved through small, genuine acts. Each person has a unique perspective, talent, and gift to offer to the world.

How can science and spirituality co-exist?

Science arises from observing nature, recognizing patterns, repeated phenomena, and finding solutions. The more one observes and seeks solutions, the more one understands the possibilities, unknowns, and systems, which can foster a different kind of belief in life. As a scientist, one must be curious, adventurous, and willing to take risks to test hypotheses. This drive to understand the larger picture of life is where science and spirituality intersect, as both seek to explore and comprehend the deeper aspects of our existence or solutions for our existence.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? (and why?)

I can't pinpoint a specific place, but I love the sea and waterfalls. I would love to be somewhere where I could swim in those waters.

Could you please provide shareable links (website, social media)?

https://www.empowerwithnature.com/

https://www.instagram.com/empowerwithnature/

https://www.facebook.com/Empowerwithnature

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-galimidi-1aa25325/

Could you please provide media links to share?

https://www.empowerwithnature.com/blog

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Empower with Nature - Interview with Maya Galimidi

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