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In what has been called  a ‘transformational decade’ towards 2035 emissions reduction targets, this conversation explored how two underrepresented groups in climate change decision making, First Nations and settler women, can form innovative partnerships to amplify, while not conflating, First Nations and all women’s voices to support gender justice and self-determination to transform nation-building towards climate security and long-term human and planetary wellbeing.

For this important conversation, WCC Founder, Dr Janet Salisbury, was in conversation with Bec Blurton (Managing Director, First Nations Affairs and WCC Steering Circle member) , Robyn James (Global Leader for Gender Equity at The Nature Conservancy) and Terri Reid (Project Coordinator, Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice, ANU).

Meet our conversationalists

Bec Blurton is a Noongar Traditional Owner, experienced working with communities across Australia. She is an experienced executive with 15+ years in project delivery, program design and people leadership in human rights and social justice. She is the Managing Director of First Nations Affairs, an advisory firm that partners with industry, government and Aboriginal corporations towards a just transition. In this role she works to:

• elevate First Nations voices and lived experience in policy and programs that impact them

• understand and embed the principles of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

• understand and promote First Nations self-determination

• promote and work towards Nation Building

• drive meaningful and sustainable reconciliation.

Terri Reid is a proud Wuthathi, Meriam and Gamilaroi woman from Brisbane and is the Project Coordinator at the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University. Opened in 2024 to promote First Nations gender justice and equality in Australia, the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Insititue elevates the voices of First Nations women and girls, knowing that they hold the solutions to drive transformative change.

Tetri has a Bachelor of Business Administration from UTS and previously held positions with the Federal Government Business Grants Hub. She is a member of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre and is passionate about Indigenous business, economic empowerment and future prosperity for Indigenous youth.

Robyn James is the Global Director of Gender Equity for The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Over a 20+ year conservation career, she has developed deep experience in gender, equity and social justice, community-based conservation, philanthropy, and government policies and programs. She joined TNC in 2010 and previously held staff positions managing projects and as the Melanesia Conservation Director, focused on expanding sustainable and equitable livelihood development and better inclusion of women and others in all conservation and development.

Prior to joining TNC, Robyn held research, teaching, conservation and planning positions at the University of Queensland and Queensland State Government. Robyn has university degrees in applied science and natural resource management from The University of Queensland, Australia and has been published in a number of academic journals. Robyn is currently undertaking her PhD on women in Conservation at the University of Queensland School of Social Sciences.