"Roots of the World" ("Verdens Rødder" in Danish) is IWGIA’s volunteer group in Denmark. We are curious about Indigenous Peoples, their cultural practices and political battles. We emphasise educating ourselves and spreading knowledge on Indigenous Peoples in diverse contexts. We have, among other things, participated in the People’s Meeting on the island of Bornholm, the Climate People’s Meeting in Middelfart, and have arranged screenings in Copenhagen of films concerning Indigenous Peoples.

Anybody can join.

You are very welcome to become a member of our group. We meet once a month for a common meeting and the subgroups then meet when needed. We do not require you to have any knowledge beforehand of Indigenous Peoples but do, of course, expect you to have an interest in learning more about Indigenous Peoples.

Message Helle Løvstø Severinsen, engagement advisor, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the group directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you want to be a part of our volunteer-group. 

*We are all fluent in English and our meetings are always held in English whenever non-Danish speakers are present. However, as we participate in events in Denmark, some of these will be in Danish, though many are also in English.  

Based outside of Denmark?

Our volunteer group makes events in Denmark, but if you are based outside of Denmark you have two other options:

1. If you are indigenous yourself, you are invited to make an article, podcast or video, where you tell about a cultural practice from your people which you would like others to know about. It could be a cultural special day of the year or something else. 

Here you can listen to a podcast made by IWGIA-volunteer Andy who is  living in USA. 

2. You can also, even as a non-indigenous person, be part of the volunteer team by screening one of IWGIA's films. We provide the film and a presentation you can use to present IWGIA's work and your role. You can screen the film in a cafe, in a university, in a culture house or what ever option is available where you live. 
The idea is that you help spread the knowledge of Indigenous People's. 

The films you have the opportunity to screen are:

Forced sterilizations: A path to justice:  
The film provides insight into the forced sterilizations that took place on women and men from Indigenous peoples in Peru between 1996 and 2000, during the government of Alberto Fujimori. (23.5 minutes long)

Voices from the sacred mountains: 
The film portrays the Indigenous Arhuaco people in northern Colombia, who are fighting for their homes and rights around the mountains of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—mountains that are sacred to them but threatened by mining. (12.5 minutes long)

Time is Water: 
The film tells the story of the Wampis people in Peru and their establishment of an autonomous territorial government and their right to self-determination. Through this government, they aim to regain control over their million hectares of land and create sustainable conservation of it. (14 minutes long)

To remedy the damage: Indigenous Surveillance of the Territory:
The film focuses on oil activities in the northern part of the Peruvian Amazon and presents a striking example of pollution and destruction of Indigenous territories. For 13 years, PUINAMUDT (a coalition of Indigenous peoples in Peru) has fought for a clean and safe territory, and their environmental monitors play a central role in this work. (20 minutes long)

Where the Trees Grow: 
The film depicts the relationship between Indigenous peoples in Thailand and Malaysia (Sabah) and nature, as well as the challenges that arise when companies build dams and palm oil plantations on their territories without involving the Indigenous peoples in the process. (33.5 minutes long)

Memories of Water: The Struggle of Ayllu San Agustin of Puñaca:
The film portrays the resistance of Ayllu San Agustín de Puñaca in the Oruro department of Bolivia against the destruction caused by mining and the major consequences it has had on the population’s way of life and health. (25 minutes long)

Message Helle Løvstø Severinsen, engagement advisor, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for getting more information on the filmscreening and IWGIA.