The Generous Listening Newsletter: Volume 8, Part II: Becoming a Better Ancestor

Welcome to Part II of our newsletter, where we continue exploring what it means to be a good ancestor. From Indigenous wisdom to intergenerational justice, these reflections ask us to expand our perspectives and listen generously—to the voices of the past, the present, and the future.

Voices on Listening

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

— Native American Proverb

Vuslat Foundation at Synergos: Becoming Better Ancestors

In October, the Vuslat Foundation participated in the Synergos GPC Retreat in Portugal, where global changemakers convened to explore how to leave a legacy of equity and sustainability.

Excerpt from the speech by Vuslat Foundation Director Merve ?a?lar

"While reflecting on what it means to be a good ancestor, I kept returning to a piece of artwork that left a profound impact on me: The Silence of Ani by Francis Al?s. Ani, a once-flourishing town on the Armenian-Turkish border, now lies in ruins, a silent witness to history.

Children in the film breathe life into the abandoned town with the simple act of whistling melodies that echo through the empty spaces—a ballad for the future, an elegy to the past.

This act reminds us of the power of Generous Listening: to truly hear the voices of history, the present, and what is yet to come. If we are to be good ancestors, we must cultivate empathy, connection, and understanding—not only with each other but with the land and all living beings."

Watch The Silence of Ani here.

Listening to the Voices of Indigenous Peoples: Tapping Into Generational Wisdom

For millennia, Indigenous peoples have acted as stewards of the earth, guided by principles that prioritize the well-being of future generations. Among these is the Haudenosaunee principle of seventh-generation decision-making, which asks: How will the decisions we make today impact the seventh generation to come?

Chief Oren Lyons of the Onondaga Nation reflects, “Every decision we make relates to the welfare and well-being of the seventh generation to come. That is the basis by which we make decisions in council.”

Governments and institutions are beginning to recognize the critical importance of Indigenous voices. New Zealand’s recognition of the Whanganui River as a legal entity exemplifies how Indigenous wisdom can guide contemporary governance toward ecological and social justice.

Voices on Listening

“Avoiding climate breakdown will require cathedral thinking. We must lay the foundation while we may not know exactly how to build the ceiling. Sometimes we just simply have to find a way. The moment we decide to fulfill something, we can do anything.”

— Greta Thunberg

Listening to the Voices of Future Generations: Youth Shaping Policy

Children and young people are emerging as some of the most powerful advocates for intergenerational justice. Initiatives like UNICEF's Voices of Youth platform and the UK's Children's Parliament amplify young voices to influence policy decisions.

One standout example is the Our Children’s Trust lawsuit in the United States, where young plaintiffs argue that the government’s inaction on climate change violates their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property.

These youth-led movements remind us that listening generously to future generations is not only a moral imperative but a necessity for effective policymaking.

Pause and Ponder

What wisdom from the past can guide us in building a just and compassionate future?

We want to hear your observations and thoughts. Drop us a line at: [email protected]