Nine Indigenous leaders from the Philippines are currently participating in a four-week Australia Awards Fellowship at Charles Darwin University in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The fellowship aims to equip them with knowledge and skills to protect their ancestral lands and promote sustainable development.

The Indigenous leaders — hailing from various tribes including Bagobo Tagabawa, Bagobo Klata, Obu Manuvu, Manobo Tinonanon, Manobo Tigwahanon, Higaonon-Bukidnon and Isnag — will exchange knowledge and practices with Australian First Nations leaders and experts on biodiversity conservation, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, sensitive natural resource management, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

“It is wonderful to witness this new partnership between the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Charles Darwin University, and for these two institutions to be part of our transformative Australia Awards Fellowships program,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PSM, FCPA (Aust).

“Equally as exciting is this powerful, professional learning opportunity for Filipino Indigenous leaders to develop, implement, and inspire reforms that benefit their communities.”

Dr. Jayson Ibanez, director for Operations at the Philippine Eagle Foundation and an Australia Awards alumnus, is leading the initiative. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

“This Fellowship complements my work over the past decade since completing my PhD in Australia in 2014. I am grateful that even beyond my scholarship, the Australian Government continues to support my advocacy for the natural environment and Indigenous development,” Ibanez said.

In May 2025, experts from Charles Darwin University and Australian First Nations leaders will visit the Philippines for a reciprocal learning exchange.