Laetania Belai Djandam is a 20-year old Indigenous environmental activist descending from the Dayak Tribe of Borneo Island, Indonesia. She grew up surrounded by a traditional wisdom that calls for the protection of both ‘nature’ and ‘culture’ which has translated into years of activism across local, national and international platforms. Prior to joining HIH, Belai’s passion for planetary health grew from volunteering on-site at HIH’s sister organization, Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI), where she assisted community-based environmental protection programmes with the local people in West Borneo.

Previously graduating with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Full Diploma, Belai is currently pursuing a BMedSci in Health and Human Sciences at The University of Sheffield. At present, her activism focuses on youth empowerment, advocacy for indigenous rights and community-based forest management.

What does planetary health mean to you? 

Planetary Health is about thinking long-term, and finding a balance between people and nature. Built within the intersections of human and environmental health, this field embodies principles of inclusivity, empowerment and equity with the purpose of creating a healthy and sustainable planet for all.