Prabindra Shakya is a human rights activist belonging to Indigenous Newarcommunity of Nepal. He has been engaged in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and marginalized communities for over a decade now. Thereby, he specializes in human rights advocacy in the contexts of impacts of development, finance, business operations and international investments as well as in the conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes. He has extensive working experience at global, regional and national levels with the Secretariat of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Coalition of Human Rights in Development, Manushya Foundation and International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), among others. Prabin is currently the Convenor of Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE). He also leads the Community Empowerment and Social Justice Network (CEMSOJ) in Nepal that he founded and has previously worked with different human rights organizations in the country.

Sister Patricia Ryan, a member of the Maryknoll Sisters since 1965, is a renowned human rights and environmental advocate who has spent decades working with the Indigenous Aymara people in Peru. Fluent in both Spanish and Aymara, she has empowered local communities through education, legal advocacy, and grassroots organizing. As co-founder of DHUMA (Derechos Humanos y Medio Ambiente), she has led efforts to protect Indigenous land and water rights, notably confronting the environmental damage caused by mining. Her commitment earned her national and international recognition, including Peru’s Human Rights Award and the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award. Her life embodies a powerful blend of faith, justice, and solidarity.

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