Right to Democracy is proud to announce the launch of the Environmental & Democracy Fellowship, an initiative rooted in the understanding that environmental justice in the U.S. territories cannot be separated from the ongoing realities of colonial rule and democratic denial. The fellowship supports five local leaders, one from each of the five U.S. territories, who will work across geographies to advance environmental advocacy that centers self-determination and equity.

"In all of our territories, we are facing great challenges related to the environment and climate, and civil society is organizing and doing great things to mitigate and adapt.  Yet, we do not have the agency in decision making processes that affect us or our environment.  I’m excited to see the energy, creativity, and commitment our fellows will bring to this work of sharing knowledge and co-creating actions to make our territories visible and affect change”, expressed Dr. Adi G. Martínez-Román, Co-Director of Right to Democracy. 

The fellowship is unique in both design and purpose. Fellows were selected based on their demonstrated community leadership and commitment to environmental and climate justice in their home territories. Each Fellow will “embed” with a local organization, helping to build capacity while developing participatory advocacy campaigns that address the dual legacies of ecological harm and democratic exclusion. 

In territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, climate change is not a distant threat, it is a lived reality. But solutions imposed without territorial input often fail to reflect local wisdom or protect island ecosystems. The Environmental & Democracy Fellowship is designed to shift this paradigm by supporting community-rooted strategies for lasting, systemic change.

Through collaborative meetings, educational dialogues, and a forthcoming series of public advocacy campaigns, the Fellows will contribute to a growing Cross-Territorial Coalition coordinated by Right to Democracy. This coalition aims to bridge local and global efforts to ensure the lived realities of U.S. territorial residents are seen, heard, and addressed with the urgency they demand.

"The challenges we face are pressing, but with the dedication and fresh perspectives of our fellows, we have an incredible opportunity to make meaningful change. I look forward to working alongside them to build a stronger movement for democracy and self-determination”, emphasized Neil Weare, Co-Director of Right to Democracy. 

The new fellows are six amazing women leaders in the territories. Each of them bring expertise, networking capacity and energy to build common ground and uplift the work done in each territory:

“The challenges of environmental justice have never been more pressing, not just in American Samoa but across the world. Here in the territories, we face these challenges compounded by unilateral actions where we are not at the table to decide on our own resources and ecosystems. The push for deep-sea mining in American Samoa is one such example, where decisions with irreversible impacts on our ocean and way of life are being considered without our full voice or consent. I am so thrilled to join colleagues from across the territories to work together on tackling these issues and ensuring that our communities are heard and protected.”— Andra Samoa, American Samoa

“My experience at the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance taught me well that we are stronger together speaking with one voice. I am so excited to join together with powerful advocates from all five territories to join forces, learn from each others’ experience, and bring new cross-territorial lenses to the challenges we face.” — Maria Hernandez

“Estoy sumamente emocionada de unirme al programa de Pasantes de Medio Ambiente y Democracia. A través de los años, he tenido el privilegio de trabajar mano a mano con las comunidades en Puerto Rico en sus luchas por salvaguardar sus recursos naturales y por un ambiente seguro y saludable para todes. Como lideresa comunitaria, me siento honrada de compartir esta experiencia con mis compañeras líderes en el archipiélago y en los demás territorios. Confío en que, a través de nuestro trabajo durante estos dos años, pondremos ayudar a que el sistema democrático garantice los derechos de las personas más vulnerabilizadas. Este programa me brindará el conocimiento, los recursos y el enfoque interterritorial para continuar este trabajo y llevarlo al próximo nivel.”— Nayda Bobonis Cabrera

“The health of our ocean and our communities has always been my greatest passion. My journey has taught me that we are so much stronger when we stand together. That’s why I’m so honored and excited to join this fellowship. I can’t wait to connect with other leaders from across the territories, to listen and learn from their stories, and to begin building a shared path toward a future where our islands and our people are respected, heard, and can finally flourish.”— Sheila Babatua

“Hurricane Erin passes us by so closely while many of us sit, working on our Constitutional Convention. The timing is notable. Here in the Convention we’re exploring the structures, institutions, and protections with which we can build a new future to tackle the most pressing challenges in the Virgin Islands. Our ecology, our energy, our effort, when preparing for and recovering from natural disasters, are challenges that are top of mind in my own work and as a delegate to the Convention. I look forward to growing my work at the intersection of democracy and the environment as a fellow with Right to Democracy.” - Imani Daniel

“A central focus of my work has been understanding the unique history and challenges of colonial societies with specific attention to the Virgin Islands. I’ve learned that many of these experiences, while specific to our home, are shared by communities across the other U.S. territories. This fellowship is an important opportunity to connect with leaders who have similarperspectives. I look forward to collaborating, learning from one another, and developing shared strategies to support the well-being of all our communities.”— Dr. Hadiya Sewer

To learn more about our Environment and Democracy Fellowship and to know of our broader initiatives, please visit our website at: https://www.righttodemocracy.us/

To support our Sisters and Brothers from American Samoa please sign our petition HERE to oppose deep seabed mining on American Samoa.