Local governance with life in the center

Listen to the Territories, Listen to Life

According to Melina, one of the keys to sustainable governance is to learn to listen deeply to territories. In Colombia, indigenous communities maintain a direct relationship with the land that goes beyond an extractive or utilitarian vision. “For these communities, land is not a resource; it is a living system with which to dialogue and harmonize,” he states.

This philosophy is reflected in its practices: before building a bridge or a path, they consult ecosystems and perform connection rituals. This shows a way of acting that prioritizes sustainability and respect for nature, creating a model that could be adopted by other local governments.

The Challenge to Decolonize Governance

Another important aspect of Melina's reflection is the recognition of how colonialism has marked the way we manage territories. In Europe, for example, colonial history has also left traces of government structures. Small communities, such as rural municipalities, often reproduce models of centralization that do not respond to the real needs of the territory.

Melina suggests a fundamental question to change this dynamics: “How can we put life in the center?” This perspective implies understanding what is alive in a territory, whether social needs, cultural tensions or ecological processes. Only through this listener can generate authentic and inclusive responses.

Harmonia entre Escales: From Local to Global

One of the challenges Melina highlights is the obsession to scale solutions. Nature teaches us that complexity emerges from local interactions: individuals, communities and their relationships. As well as a forest works from the harmony between trees, plants and animals, human communities also need listening dynamics and cooperation to flourish.

“Government is an act of sustaining what is invisible: connections, shared needs, relationships”, says Melina. These processes cannot be imposed from above, but must arise from the dynamics of each territory.

Biorregions: A New Way of Pertànyer

Bioregionalism offers a new way to understand territories. Rather than relying on arbitrary political boundaries, it recognizes the natural limits defined by local geography, ecosystems and cultures. “Bioregions are defined by themselves. They are spaces where communities feel they belong, where there is an intrinsic relationship with the land," Melina explains.

This deep connection with the territory not only satisfies vital needs, but also encourages reciprocity and regeneration. For example, rivers can be seen not as simple resources, but as part of a living system that needs care to regenerate and benefit the entire community.

An Economy from Life

Finally, Melina notes that it is necessary to rethink the economy. Rather than relying on extraction and export, we can be inspired by nature, where energy flows, resources and information are organized to generate local abundance. This does not mean isolation, but sustainable relationships with other bioregions.

“A forest is an example of living economy: it accumulates resources not to exploit them, but to sustain its entire life network. This is the model we should adopt," he concludes.

Biomimèsis: An Accessible Way for All

Melina notes that it is not necessary to be a biologist or have a specialized academic training to apply biomimesis. Life itself teaches us. “The key is to listen: listen to nature, listen to ourselves and listen to others. Life is inside us and around us. Just open to this connection."

This approach reminds us that we are part of the biosphere, not separate agents. If we learn to act with this conscience, we can build a more just, harmonic and aligned local governance with the processes of life.