Detailed Biography
(also see my CV)
1967 Born in Goteborg, Sweden
1971 I immigrated to Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast, Australia from Sweden with my family (at 3 years of age). By the age of 8 I joined my parents at regular attendances at local Wildlife Preservation Society.
Early 1980’s Joined in successful actions to save Currumbin Estuary from development. It was here I first witnessed the ‘power of the people.’
1984 Graduated from highschool as a known ‘activist’ on peace, nuclear and environment issues.
1985 Commenced University degree. Diploma Of Creative Arts majoring in Theatre at University of South East QLD.
I chose to study theatre (and music) rather than environmental science because at that time I felt there was a gap in communication between the issues and people’s understanding/engagement and that much of information in universities was out dated (before the days of the internet) and I would find out more by visiting threatened areas.
1986
At 18 years of age, I set off on my own with a one way ticket to Hong Kong, backpacking overland through China and Russia. I was in Germany when the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded. This was a shocking and formative experience, strengthening my resolve in campaigning against nuclear power.
I continued my travels overland through Nepal, Tibet and China and South-East Asia when I came across the FOE conference and tropical forest resource crisis in Malaysia. I was allowed to participate and met activists like Vandana Shiva, Jonathan Porrit, Charles Secrett, John Seed, etc as well as indigenous representatives. I joined the Australian Rainforest Information Centre (RIC).
The RIC has a unique organisational structure that highlights voluntary simplicity, non-heirarchy, all forms of non-violent campaigns (lobbying, projects, direct action etc) and has kept overheads at an absolute minimum to be able to support campaigns and projects all over the world. John Seed’s explanation of the philosophy of deep ecology that is the foundation of the RIC and all its work continues to guide my life purpose to heal the earth.
1988
Completed Diploma of Creative arts majoring in theatre, and started the first environment group on campus of Southern Cross University. I was also able to take part in the first meetings of the Landcare movement.
1989
Started work as a full time volunteer campaigner with the Rainforest Information Centre (RIC).
Traveled to Sarawak on a successful mission to find Bruno Manser (a Swiss fugitive from police through his campaigns to help the nomadic hunter gatherer Penan tribal people save their forest from large scale industrial logging) and bring his message to the outside world. I lived with the Penan for one month.
The Penan are one of the last 3 tribes of hunter-gatherers on Earth. They are also known as perhaps the most peaceful and gentle people of human kind. Living with these people profoundly affect my awareness of the potential of human beings to live in peace.
I arrived in Japan (largest importer of tropical timber) and began fulltime volunteer work with the Japan Tropical Forest Action network (JATAN).
Through these months I battled malaria while organising actions (mostly involving music and street theatre) outside the Malaysian embassy and headquarters of major corporations (Mitsubishi etc) involved in forest destruction. This attracted nationwide media coverage in Japan.
I joined the first indigenous conference and gathering in Hokkaido, Peoples Plan for the 21st century, and represented the plight of the Penan. As part of this series of conference I visited Minamata (site of the major industrial mecury pollution disaster) and stayed with Minamata victims.
1990
I initiatied and became the main presenter of the first Rainforest Roadshow in Japan supported by Japan Tropical Forest Action Network and Friends of the Earth Japan. Based on the successful roadshow model by John Seed that resulted in the formation of hundreds of action groups in Australia and the US (also formed the Rainforest Action Network), this tour involved using slideshows, lecture and music with the aim of starting action groups and networking in Japan.
I travelled with a translator throughout Japan making around 68 presentations that attracted national media coverage. The tour resulted in the launch of Rainforest Action Group network in Japan and funded the formation of the Sarawak Campaign Committee.
During this tour I visited Hiroshima for the first time.
I returned to Sarawak and helped Bruno Manser escape to continue the campaign in Europe.
Towards the end of the year I travelled to the USA, networking with Rainforest Action Network (RAN), Rainforest Action Groups and Greenpeace in Washington. I visited Ecuador to participate in an indigenous conference marking the upcoming commemoration of Columbus ‘discovery’ of the Americas.
Returning to Japan I initiated and helped organise the first Penan World Tour and events in Tokyo.
I supported the launch of an indigenous organisation in Labuan, Malaysia, raising funds from the David Suzuki Foundation (I was able to meet David Suzuki in Sydney as a RIC represenative).
1991
Helped organise and supported facilitation for the first Deep Ecology workshops in Japan with John Seed.
In July I organised an international non violent direct action in Malaysia resulting in our arrest in Sarawak. I was jailed for 2 months with the charge of criminal trespass with intention to annoy after sitting atop a crane singing forest songs to interfere with loading of tropical timber logs on ships bound for Japan. I pleaded not guilty with one of the 7 other protesters, Angie Zelter (renowned international Peace activist, Greenham Common, East Timor Jet Hawk Fighter ploughshares action, organiser of Trident Ploughshares movement and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award) in order to expose the issue in the 'nuetral' courts. We spent 2 months in jail and 6 weeks in court where for the first time the issue was aired publicly and openly in Malaysia. The action receieved international media coverage – especially in Australia and Sweden. We also receieved great sympathy from local people and legal experts. As we left the jail our prison guards cried and the immigration official who handed me my deportation order encouraged me to return illegally overland.
On my return to Australia I worked with local groups and media to highlight the rainforest timber issue.
I initiated a Rainforest Roadshow in New Zealand (North and South Island) Network with local and Maori groups on rainforest issues. Towards the end of the tour we were summoned into the then opposition leaders office, Michael Moore, who wanted to hear more about the issue.
1992
Declared one of the 100 most notable people in the Gold Coast’s hundred year history by the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Europe: Invited by Swedish and Finnish Greens to receive the Young Greens award. Organised action in Sweden intervening with Malaysian timber propaganda mission to Europe – gaining extensive nationwide media coverage. Tour through Finland to run deep ecology workshops and presentations with Finnish Greens. Visited and stayed with Sami indigenous people.
Poland:‘For Mother Earth’ Rainforest Roadshow for one month.
Germany: G7 actions in Munich.
I organised student activists street theatre demonstrations in the centre of the city and non violence workshops working with the group Pro Regenwald and now prominent UK Climate Change campaigner George Marshall. Our strategy to gain press passes into the G7 conference was entirely successful. I was able to ask a question about logging to Prime Minister of Japan and disrupt an international press conference with other young activists holding up signs with seven ‘G’s (Gold, Greed, Genocide, Guns, Garbage, Gasoline, Grief) between Russian president Boris Yeltsin and German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl.
Holland: I worked out of Greenpeace office in Amsterdam networking on forest issues.
Later in the year I returned to Sarawak overland via Kalimantan to meet with Penan and investigate illegal log exports, network and support with Indonesian forest campaign network.
1993
Rainforest Roadshow in Japan (over 40 presentations in one month from the north to south of Japan organised with the Sarawak Campaign Committee and many other local Japanese NGOs). We collected thousands of petitions to be presented to Japanese government with whom we met at the end of the tour. The tour receieved substantial national media coverage.
Helped organise and participated in the "Pilgrimage for Life".
This was a 2 month campaigning walk (forests, peace, anti-nuclear) in Japan with monks, activists and indigenous representatives from the Ainu, the Inu and Kelabit peoples. During this walk we also visited local governments along the way to lobby on peace and imports of rainforest timbers. We were also able to support the launch of a ceremony called Koshamainu marking the first massacre of Ainu by Japanese invaders (this now takes place annually). We managed to carry out the tour not using any money – we slept in tens, houses of local people or temples and collected wild foods and begged for food from local markets.
I attended the RAMSAR wetland conference in Kushiro, Japan
Participated and helped organise the Nibutani forum – first indigenous conference organised by the Ainu people led by Koichi Kaizawa.
I returned to Sweden to help organise and participate in the first international Boreal Forest Conference in Jokkmokk, north Sweden staying with Sami indigenous people.
1994
Finalist, Young Queenslander award.
Australia: I organised rainforest timber ship blockades leading to negotiations with corporate bodies how to set about timber certification schemes. I was very active in the GOODWOOD campaign.
Started the Gold Coast branch of the Rainforest Information Centre - working out of the Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council Office.
Organised effective non-violent direct action to protest Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir visit to Brisbane. This received nationwide coverage.
Organised Voices for the Forest tour – indigenous representatives from Borneo visiting Australia. I travelled with David Dillon (of the Kombumerri people of the Gold Coast) and representatives from Borneo to the north of QLD visiting environment groups and indigenous communities, including ‘Yarabah’ near Cairns.
With ran the “GECKO for Mayor” campaign on the Gold Coast highlighting the ‘developed to death’ mentality in a humorous way.
I organised and guided a deep eco-tour from Japan to Australia (with Lima Kimura) raising $18 000 for the RIC’s permaculture/reforestation project in India. Visited Tasmania (organised by TWS) and meet Peg Putt to discuss campaigns linking Japan and facilitated deep ecology workshops.
Initiated non violent direct action to save 100 year fig tree on the Gold Coast
I moved to Canberra set up RIC office within The Wilderness Society, lobbying and successfully fundraising for RIC projects in India, PNG and Ecuador through AusAID.
Organised celebration of RIC anniversary at Parliament House with world-renowned ecologist and RIC supporter Norman Myers, with help from Sen. Bob Brown.
I was invited as a speaker and facilitator in the Kyoto Forum, organised by the Future Generations Alliance Foundation. Key international futurists took part in this conference, including Duane Elgin (founder of the voluntary simplicity movement) and Professor Ian Lowe.
A few months later I was invited by the Future Generations Alliance Foundation to Toronto, Canada to participate in a further conference on Learning and Teaching about Future Generations. Academic paper published by the organisation. I facilitated a deep ecology workshop in Ottawa. I was also able to visit the forests (and campaigners) of British Colombia.
I organised the Shimenawa campaign, to link the largest consumers of Australian woodchips with the forests of Gippsland (working with Jill Redwood and Canberra TWS).
1995
Japan: I joined the Sacred Run (led by prominent Native American, Denis Banks). I also took part in ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks.
Australia: I helped organise the Tibet environment conference in Sydney. This was the first conference on the environment of Tibet and highlighted the urgent crisis, as well as the difficulty in influencing the Chinese government. I was responsible for organising the section on forest destruction in Tibet. HH the Dalai Lama attended and spoke at this conference.
PNG: I visited to assess the eco-forestry projects funded by AusAID through RIC.
The RIC pioneered the concept of ‘eco-forestry’ in PNG as an urgent measure to slow down the large scale industrial logging being run by Malaysian companies. This idea involves providing local people with training and equipment to harvest their own trees, gaining 400 times the profit they would get signing over their land to a logging company. Local tribes must agree to a stringent forest management plan to protect their forest, cutting only a few trees per hectare.
I ran for the Greens in the state election with a major focus on keeping the Gold Coast nuclear free.
I organised the ‘Walk for the forest’ demonstration in Surfers Paradise with Bob Brown as special guest – hundreds participate.
Successfully completed the financial auditing for the RIC.
Organised ‘Walk for the Whales’ in Surfers Paradise with Surf Rider Foundation, attracting 500 participants.
Organised 7 day hungerstrike and vigil at main shopping street on the Gold Coast (Cavill Mall) at Christmas time to protest overconsumption.
1996
Initiated and helped organise Big Bush Bugaup tour with PNG tribal people to Australia
Ran for the Greens in Federal Election. My sister ran as a candidate in a neighbouring seat and we highlight to the media: 'sisters for sister seats'. This positive campaign resulted in the highest ever membership for the Gold Coast Greens and helped to bail out the QLD Greens since we were 2 out of only 3 seats where the Greens were able to get more than 4% of the vote).
Organised a 7 day hungerstrike and vigil at Christmas time on the Gold Coast to protest over consumption.
1997
I moved to Japan to be based in Kanazawa (west coast of Japan) to work with and support local and national environment groups on forest and climate change campaigns. During this time I travelled throughout Japan giving lectures, concerts and facilitating workshops.
Met with environment minister of Japan as part of an NGO event on global warming organised by a coalition of Kyoto based NGOs preparing for the COP3 conference.
Attended Kyoto COP 3 conference on Global Warming, organised colourful demonstrations gaining international media coverage and was invited to speak on forest issues by the NGO network.
Organised a deep eco-tour(incorporating deep ecology processes) from Japan to Ecuador.
Ecuador, with only 0.05% of the world’s surface contains fully 10% of its species – a veritable ‘Noah’s Ark’ of biodiversity. The RIC has been working with projects in Ecuador (praised by Tim Flannery) since 1986. The tour visits Los Cedros, the RIC’s 6000 hectare cloud forest reserve as well as indigenous partners in the Amazon.
Interviewed the first indigenous Mayor of Cotacachi, Auki Tituana, who is supporting local people’s protests against copper mine development for a Japanese television company.
Auki is also a leader in the international movement for participatory democracy, having established the ‘People’s Assembly’ that organises for hundreds of representatives from throughout the county to meet once a year and forms the basis of local policy for the region. Through this process, the county was declared an ecological county, with arguably the most stringent environmental regulations of any local county in South America.
Alerted the Japanese environment movement of a major copper mine development in one of the ten hotspots of biodiversity on Earth involving Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi pulls out of the Junin copper mine development. A coalition of Japanese groups begin to organise alternative solutions to the threat of large scale mining exploitation in Intag, including supporting organic, shade grown (with native trees) coffee, eco/cultural tourism. This coalition invites Auki Tituana and representatives from affected copper mine area to visit Japan.
Organised a 7 day hungerstrike and vigil at Christmas time on the Gold Coast to protest over consumption.
1998
I recorded and launched my first cd: ‘Voices for the Forest’. All CD sales to support RIC campaigns and projects – all musicians and production assistants volunteered their time.
I organised a second deep eco-tour to Ecuador with university students and key representatives from Japan.
I participated in anniversary of Hiroshima, participated in ‘Koshamainu’ ceremony with Ainu people in Hokkaido, visited the Rokkasho fast breeder nuclear reactor guided by local anti nuclear activist.
Invited as a speaker and workshop facilitator to the ICERC (International Whale and Dolphin Symposium) conference and series of workshops in Japan.
I joined TP2000 campaign. This is an ongoing ploughshares non violent direct action based campaign to uphold the international law that states that nuclear weapons are illegal.
Promoted TP2000 campaign in Japan, holding a press conference in Hiroshima.
I travelled to Glasgow, Scotland to join international activists and plan actions. Arrested and jailed with my brother Jens Light, a 90 year old grandmother and organiser Angie Zelter after cutting through perimeter fence. Local and Australian media coverage.
1999
Moved to Ecuador to work on projects of RIC from our Quito office.
I worked with Peter Berg (founder of bioregionalism) to support eco-city initiatives of Bahia de Caraquez and Cotacachi. During the planning for these events we met with Ecuador environment minister, Yolanda Kakabadse.
With colleagues from Japan and local partners, we started the initiative to launch International Mangrove day along with the launch of Bahia Eco-city. Participated in the celebration along with environment minister. Assisted in organising and guiding Japanese students and special representatives.
Launched the Sloth Club in Japan with Keibo Oiwa and Ryuchi Nakamura (www.sloth.gr.jp).
This group now has almost 1000 members including David and Severn Suzuki as well as musician Ryuchi Sakamoto (who is now a key leader of the anti-nuclear and peace movement). The main mission of this group is to encourage people to be ‘Sloth’ - to slow down, live simply and enjoy life without destroying the Earth – to change our culture. It launched the ‘candlenight’ campaign to turn off electricity in 2003 that now has 7 million participants in Japan. It promotes and markets fair trade, organic products to raise funds for the protection of Sloth habitat and support for local communities helping to protect the forest. It has initiated and supported a wide range of initiatives from LETS trading systems, bioregionalism, permaculture and seedsavers networks, new ecological companies, local communities, Slow tourism, the Slow Business School and Company and Café Slow – a nerve centre in Tokyo for this fresh and positive movement.
Successfully complete the financial auditing for the RIC.
2000
Moved to Cotacachi, in the Andes of Ecuador, welcomed by local indigenous Mayor, Auki Tituana.
Organised and guided eco/cultural tour from Japan
Established the Cotacachi Ecology Centre (CEC).
The CEC works with international and local volunteers and NGOS as well as the local council to organise events, run environmental education (including making promotional videos), help organise tours, design and paint environmental murals throughout the town and set up demonstration permaculture and herbal medicine gardens.
Introduced the ‘Seed Savers’ organisation to Ecuador and supported the first seed saving projects.
Purchased 35 hectares of cloud forest (bordering an ecological reserve that contains the world’s most critical hotspots of biodiversity) and set up the ‘El Milagro’project with support from Sloth Club, the RIC and proceeds from CDs. The project, in addition to protecting cloud forest as a living ‘seed bank’, also aims to demonstrate simple, sustainable lifestyle solutions for local people and international volunteers. Build eco-house (using mud walls, a sugar cane grass roof and indigenous design). (See www.rainforestinfo.org.au)
Established and organised Expo Cotacachi 2000 (on a total budget of just US$2000)
This involved 40 Ecuadorean NGOs displaying alternative development initiatives (in response to mining development threats) including: fair trade, renewable energy, eco/cultural tourism, permaculture design and organic production, nutrition (especially promoting soy products including miso and tempeh).
This two day event received national and international media coverage.
Successfully completed the financial auditing for the RIC.
2001
My daughter Pacha is born at home in Cotacachi.
Her name means ‘Mother Earth’ in the indigenous ‘Quichua’ language of her birth place. The peaceful and uncomplicated birth was supported by Suzanne Swan of Yogababy Brisbane and Alcamari Vega, wife of Mayor Auki Tituana as well as my partner, Marcelo Luque, a prominent activist and ecologist from Bahia on Ecuador’s coast.
Japan. Participated in the "Pacha Mama" tour in Japan with Afro-Ecuatorean members of Marimba group ‘Bereju’ and launched the new CD “Pacha Mama” .
Ecuador: Assisted in organising 2002 Expo Cotacachi incorporated with the international organic coffee conference, involving international delegates and guests.
Successfully completed the financial auditing for the RIC.
2003
Japan: Took part in the "Slow Mother Love concert tour" organised by the Sloth Club.
(2003 Anja tour http://www.slothclub.org/pages/upcoming/anja2003/anja2003index.htm)
Australia: My son Yani was born at home on the Gold Coast. His name means ‘peace’- his birth also assisted by Suzanne Swan of Yogababy.
Successfully completed the financial auditing for the RIC.
2004
I ran as a Greens candidate for the state election.
This was a very enjoyable campaign where we have managed to find a Green candidate for every seat on the Gold Coast. There are also 4 ‘home birth mothers’ with babies in arms (Inge Light, Nicole Chegwin, Kelly Houston and myself) running in neighbouring seats. We launch our media campaign with a press release titled: “Topless Candidates”and succeed in lobbying for a birthing centre on the Gold Coast and highlight maternity issues for Queensland.
Meet with Bob Brown in Canberra to update on international campaigns and Gold Coast election campaigns.
Japan – launched new CD (Slow Mother Love) with concert tour. 2004 Anja tour http://www.sloth.gr.jp/aboutus/event/2004/040310anjatour.html
Ecaudor: returned to work with the CEC and El Milagro project – building a new office and residence with local materials and the help of volunteers.
Helped organise Expo-Cotacachi 2004
2005
Returned to Australia via Japan (lectures and concerts
http://www.sloth.gr.jp/aboutus/event/2005/anjatour2005.htm)
Join Peace Boat (a Japanese organization and ocean liner that travels the world on social justice, peace and environment issues) as lecturer/singer from New Zealand to Australia.
Ran as a Greens candidate in local Gold Coast byelection (3rd place out of 14 candidates).
I bought an old house on a quarter acre block in Ayr (far north QLD) and began eco-renovations and permaculture gardens. I also supported the local landcare group.
Japan: I was invited by the World Expo as speaker/performer chosen as one of 3 Australians invited to speak on environmental issues (including permaculture founder Bill Mollison and ‘Mother of Maleny’, Jill Jordan). I also gave presentations and concerts in Nagoya, Tokyo and Yokohama.
2006
I began and successfully completed fulltime study for cert III in education at TAFE (to be able to home-school my children if needed in the future).
I also assisted in a very successful school permaculture garden project at the Burdekin Christian College which wins the Green and Healthy school competition for northQLD.
Organised and guide ‘Slow tour’ in northern NSW and Maleny (with Megu Ogata), with Japanese eco-tourists visiting permaculture communities, Australian nature and taking part in deep ecology workshop processes. The tour is carbon neutral – with tree planting taking place as part of the tour activities and funds set aside to support both tree planting and campaigns. As a result of this tour we prepare the Slow Tourism manifesto to guide future tours organised by the Sloth Club Japan.
Japan: Invited to speak in Nagoya on invitation of world expo committee for a one year anniversary event. Perform at ‘Candlenight’ event in central Tokyo.
'Candlenight' is a campaign launched by the Sloth Club and supported by a growing number of groups (including the Environment Ministry of Japan). At its outset in 2003 we had hoped that someday one million people may joined the action to turn of electricity for two hours on summer and winter solstice. In 2006, 7 million people joined the 'candlenight' campaign, along with many cities and landmarks joining in (Tokyo Tower switches off its lights).
Australia: I Ran as a Greens candidate in the state election in the Burdekin (as the first and only member of the Greens in the area, with a budget of less than $200), achieving over 4% of votes for the first time in the Burdekin. Produced 10 press releases all printed with little editing in the local newspaper (headlines on a wide range of issues including climate change, health, education, sustainable farming, water), and receievd positive local TV coverage on the water issue. (see report The Greens and Shrek – Reflections on being an active regional candidate and State election 2006 media releases)
Helped organise “Walk Against Warming” rally in Townsville with 300 people taking part. We were successful in getting both print and television pre-publicity speak at rally (see Speech: Walk Against Warming).
Japan: I was invited to be a speaker/performer with the GNH (Gross National Happiness) tour with representatives from Bhutan and Canada. (see report: Slowing Down Japan) 2006 Anja tour http://www.sloth.gr.jp/GNH-event_anja.htm#GNHTOUR
Draft (please note – this is being prepared largely from memory and therefore all dates may not be entirely accurate)