THE VOICE OF AFSA || MEET MILLION BELAY

Описание: Dr Million Belay is one of Africa’s leading voice on food sovereignty, agroecology, biocultural diversity and community knowledge. Founder of MELCA Ethiopia and General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, he has spent more than three decades working with farmers, youth, elders and communities to protect landscapes, seeds and cultural memory.

His journey stretches from the streets of Merkato to teaching in rural schools, from environmental clubs in Wolisso to regional advocacy across Africa. His life’s work reflects a rare combination of science, culture and deep community connection.

In this conversation, Dr Million reflects on the turning points that shaped him. He speaks about the early days of MELCA Ethiopia and how biocultural diversity, intergenerational learning and community celebrations became central to the organization’s identity. He shares how mentors like Sue Edwards, Dr Tewolde Berhan and Dr Melaku Worede shaped his thinking, encouraging him to see the relationship between seeds, culture, land and knowledge.

He also dives into the heart of his PhD: participatory mapping, resilience thinking and community learning. Dr Million explains how mapping became more than a tool, becoming a process through which elders, teachers and young people could reveal hidden knowledge of land, biodiversity, seasons and memory. His story is a powerful reminder that environmental learning begins with people and the wisdom held across generations.