Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa in ISTANBUL, Türkiye
Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas of Jordan paid a courtesy call on First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in Istanbul on the sidelines of the Global Zero Waste Forum, where they discussed the role of cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge in advancing environmental sustainability.
Princess Dana also UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador paid tribute to the First Lady for her role as Zimbabwe’s Culture and Heritage Ambassador, stating that she aims to create a cultural and climate agenda that will engage young people and help safeguard opportunities for future generations, with the support of Dr Mnangagwa.
She also indicated that she hopes to visit Zimbabwe soon to experience its breathtaking natural beauty, which has earned international recognition and made the country one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.
Princess Dana and the First Lady highlighted that traditional practices hold valuable lessons for addressing modern climate challenges.
Discussions centred on the role of heritage in promoting responsible resource management, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Their engagement highlighted growing international recognition that cultural heritage is not only a record of the past but also a resource for shaping sustainable futures.
Through indigenous knowledge, community values and environmentally conscious practices, heritage can contribute to solutions for contemporary environmental challenges.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, who is also the country’s Environment Patron, Princess Dana said culture lies at the heart of climate action, as it influences how people consume resources, produce goods and interact with the environment.
“We discussed the role of culture and heritage within the climate agenda and how we can work together to amplify the voices of indigenous communities and the valuable knowledge and practices that have existed in countries such as Jordan and Zimbabwe for generations,” she said.
“We also discussed bringing that knowledge and those practices to the table through the climate agenda and through the Zero Waste Agenda. Climate change is all about culture and heritage. Culture enables you to change mindsets, work with people, and bring about the change that you want to see.”
Princess Dana said heritage provides a reservoir of knowledge that can help societies adapt to climate change while promoting sustainability.
She said many traditional societies had long embraced sustainable practices that modern communities could learn from.
“We knew how to create buildings that respected planetary boundaries. We knew how to harvest and conserve water. We knew how to use sustainable materials and how to reduce, reuse and recycle. This is not new knowledge. It is knowledge that our ancestors had,” said the Princess.
“That is why heritage should be part of the climate change agenda. It is about values, principles and the widespread sharing of knowledge that already exists within our communities. What is needed is to scale up that knowledge to achieve the change that we want to see.”
The UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador said integrating heritage into environmental policies would help preserve indigenous knowledge while encouraging behavioural change and sustainable lifestyles.
“We also talked about climate justice and the importance of ensuring that people on the front lines of climate change receive the support and financing they require.”
Princess Dana was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2017 in recognition of her longstanding commitment to heritage protection and preservation as key drivers of sustainable development, and for advancing responsible tourism and community engagement.
Princess Dana also described the engagement as an honour and a pleasure, saying it provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas.
“We also had a wonderful discussion about our experiences here in Türkiye with the Zero Waste Foundation and the inspirational message shared by the First Lady of Türkiye.
“We also spoke about the importance of working together to combat climate change,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa was also appointed the country’s Culture and Heritage Ambassador for her unprecedented work in preserving Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage.
As a beacon of cultural excellence, the First Lady embodies the values of heritage conservation and cross-cultural understanding.
The meeting reinforced a shared commitment to advancing sustainability through cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge systems and community-driven solutions, while strengthening international cooperation in addressing climate change and promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources.
