Sepesa Rasili: Life as a Senior Campaigner and Storyteller at Greenpeace

Sepesa Rasili wears many hats. A self-proclaimed storyteller and Pacific feminist, Sepesa has been working as an invaluable member of Greenpeace Australia Pacific 's Pacific Climate Justice campaign team for just over 12 months.

As a Senior Campaigner, Sepesa's work with Greenpeace involves all things from relationship building with regional and national civil society organisations and allies across Large Ocean States in the Pacific, to unpacking and de-mystifying climate change and climate impacts to the general public.

Being a “volunteer at heart”, Sepesa has a long history and passion working with grassroot organisations that serve to make a positive difference in local communities across the Pacific, from gender equality, to disability, and social inclusion.

Before working with Greenpeace Australia Pacific , Sepesa was involved with a number of local community organisations within the health sector, working as a Project and Program Manager and Trainer, as well as a Development Practitioner for social protection and capacity development of climate-impacted communities.

Right now, Sepesa is sailing onboard the Rainbow Warrior to the Pacific, as part of our Pacific Climate Justice Ship Tour, to help amplify Pasifika voices and stories on the ground about climate justice, and the historic campaign to bring the issue of climate change to the world’s highest court.

Here's more from Sepesa and his journey at Greenpeace:

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

I grew up in the Nasarowaqa village, in the tikina (district) of Burenitu, in the Province of Bua, Fiji.?I am the eldest of 5 siblings (1 brother and 4 sisters) and a doting uncle (Momo) to 7 nieces and 2 nephews.

My father was a teacher and my mother was a home manager, and I grew up within school compounds and moved around wherever our father took up posting.

My interest in nature started at a very young age as most of my young years was spent in schools by the sea - exploration of creatures every weekend; traveling to the village (both my parents are coastal villagers) during the school term break, and ‘owning a piece of land’ as part of my heritage. I take bushwalks when I can, and being close to Mother Earth as a steward, protector of our resources.

What led you to work as a Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific?

There is a question I am constantly bothered by, “How and what can I do to slow down the impact of climate change on my and make big polluters own their role and be accountable of their actions?”

So ultimately, what brought me to Greenpeace is my concern for the environment, our common home - my vanua (land and people encompassed) and wasasawa (ocean) and the impact of humankind.

Joining Greenpeace is an opportunity for me to amplify the injustice in communities by safeguarding voices of frontline communities impacted by the climate crisis. It is about sharing the learnings, and utilizing tools & approaches available in Greenpeace as a global network with years of campaigning experience, to strengthen response from communities against major polluters and governments.

Can you also tell us a little about the work you are currently doing onboard the Rainbow Warrior and what that means to you?

Being a volunteer at heart, I am interested in organizations that aim to build the capacity of communities to be empowered and informed, and to be able to access platforms to share concerns and be engaged in their own development.

And as Lead Campaigner currently onboard the Rainbow Warrior, it is an exciting opportunity to see the unfolding of the [Ship] Tour in the Pacific. And there are a lot of moving parts to think about.

For example, managing and facilitating cultural immersion with the crew and the campaign team, and ensuring that all team members and visitors have a great understanding of cultural practices and traditions in preparation for each Pacific island nation we will be visiting.

Then there is a lot of learning. For example, from the elders onboard from the Torres Strait Island, Uncle Paul and Uncle Pabai, and coordinating between the operational team and campaign team members on and off the ship.

What advice could you give to others who are wanting to pursue a similar role in the non-profit and/or environmental sector?

For me, passion and compassion is important.

For example, passion for the environment, and knowing the lay of the land in your particular area of zone of work.

Then there is compassion. Compassion for the community - vanua and wasawasa.

It is important to keep people and communities central to all the work that you do. It is their voice, life and livelihood that should give you purpose in the work you do.?