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Photo: Climate Alliance Austria

02.12.2021

Climate Alliance mourns the death of long-time colleague Johann Kandler

Johann “Hans” Kandler, a valued colleague of Climate Alliance Austria and long-time companion of our network, passed away at the end of November.

Hans Kandler called Brazil his home from 1972 to 1992, where he supported the local people, fighting for the preservation of the rainforest and the rights of the indigenous peoples. Once back in Europe, he took up work with Climate Alliance Austria from its very beginnings as an "Amazon expert" and established a successful partnership with FOIRN, the umbrella association of indigenous organisations on the Rio Negro. He has thus built a strong and stable bridge for the support of indigenous communities on the Rio Negro and for a better understanding of the role and importance of indigenous ways of life for sustainable development also outside Amazonia. In the words of Climate Alliance Austria, he was truly a “wanderer between worlds and cultures”.

He also carried the idea of a global partnership with indigenous peoples to the Austrian communities for the first time and raised awareness in numerous lectures, presentations and study tours with European delegations. The many participants of the delegation tours were inspired by the intense impressions and try to incorporate these insights into their work. The many people (adults and children) who were motivated with up-to-date and personal information during his visits to municipalities and schools are also potential multipliers.

We would like to thank him for his work on behalf of the entire Climate Alliance. We are convinced that his work will continue to be carried forward. With his death, our network has lost a committed colleague, important advocate for climate justice and long-time friend. The indigenous organisation FOIRN has also lost a good friend as well as a strong supporter for their issues. Their visits with ISA in Austria and beyond were important building blocks for strengthening the Climate Alliance partnership. Hans Kandler will be sorely missed.

Read Climate Alliance Austria’s full obituary.