EARTH JURISPRUDENCE

From 16-18 October this year Friends of the Earth, in partnership with the University of Adelaide, Faculty of Professions, Research Unit for the Study of Society, Law and Religion (RUSSLR), and the Conservation Council of South Australia will be hosting Australia’s first conference on Earth Jurisprudence.

Earth Jurisprudence calls for a radical shift to our legal system, from a human-only orientation to an Earth centered approach. To this end, Earth Jurisprudence calls for a revision of law so as to foster mutually enhancing relationships among humans and nature, based on reciprocity, restraining potentially damaging human activities and recognizing the rights of nature. The conference is modeled on and run in consultation with the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA)

www.ukela.org/rte.asp?id+5 and the Center for Earth Jurisprudence
earthjuris.org/ run by St Barry Law School in the USA.

At this early stage of planning we have received overwhelming support from participants and presenters alike. We can confirm the following speakers:

* Dr Paul Babie, Associate Dean (Research), Director or RUSSLR, University of Adelaide, School of Law;
* Elizabeth Rivers, UKELA and Coordinator of their Earth Jurisprudence Conference;
* Ng’ang’a Thiong’o, Legal Advocate for Porini Association, Kenya, and former advisor to 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Professor Wangari Maathai;
* Rebecca Butler, Anindilyakwa Land Council NT;
* Julia Pitts, National Environmental Law Association, ACT Government;
* Mark Parnell, MLC Australian Greens;
* Dr Greg Ogle, The Wilderness Society.


We will be confirming additional speakers and partners in the coming weeks.

If you are interested in joining us for this exciting event or would like more information please contact me on the details below. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about this innovative conference.

Yours truly
Peter Burdon
PH: 0439 294 386
Email: peter.d.burdon@adelaide.edu.au