Upcoming Event

Earth Jurisprudence Conference

From 16-18 October 2009 Friends of the Earth Adelaide, in partnership with the Conservation Council of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, Faculty of Professions, Research Unit for the Study of Society, Law and Religion (RUSSLR) will be hosting Australia’s first conference on Earth Jurisprudence. This conference is modelled and run in consultation with the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA), http://www.ukela.org/rte.asp?id=5

Earth Jurisprudence calls for a radical shift to our legal system, from a human-only orientation to 
an Earth centered approach. This involves fostering mutually enhancing human-earth relations based on reciprocity, restraining potentially damaging human
 activities and recognizing the rights of nature. Two examples of this law in practice include the newly enacted constitution of Ecuador, which states that nature has the "right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its natural cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution." To ensure these rights the government is responsible for "precaution and restriction measures in all the activities that can lead to the extinction of species, the destruction of ecosystems or the permanent alteration of natural cycles." Further in Pennsylvania, USA five Municipalities (20,000 people) passed ‘rights for nature’ ordinances, which state that nature has right to exist and flourish and gives community standing to advocate on behalf of these rights.

Participants will be introduced to the concepts of Earth Jurisprudence and led through a series of interactive workshops on the shortcomings of our current approach to environmental protection, connection to place and understanding nature, the relationship between Earth Jurisprudence and Indigenous law/religion, a mock trial and strategies for implementing Earth Jurisprudence in Australia. Speakers for the conference will include Elizabeth Rivers, UKELA; Dr Paul Babie, Associate Dean (Research), University of Adelaide, School of Law; Professor Rob Fowler, University of South Australia, Law School; Dr Nicole Rogers, School of Law & Justice, Southern Cross University; Rebecca Butler, Anindilyakwa Land Council NT; Mark Parnell, MLC Australian Greens; Dr Greg Ogle, The Wilderness Society, Joel Catchlove, Friends of the Earth; Sophie Green, Friends of the Earth; and Peter Burdon, Friends of the Earth.

Participation at the conference will be limited to forty people. For more information please click here or email Peter Burdon.

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