Environmental Justice Symposium, Brisbane, 4 April 2014 – ‘What’s the Environmental Justice Agenda in Queensland?’

Friday 4^th April, 9am to 5pm, Griffith University Eco-Centre, 170 Kessels Road, Griffith University

Co-hosted by AELA and the Griffith University Urban Research Program

• For a copy of the flyer and program for the day, please click here
• To see photos from the event, please visit AELA's Photo Albums, on our facebook page -
  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.796616937022905.1073741837.250157398335531&type=3

SPEAKERS INCLUDED:

• Professor David Schlosberg, University of Sydney
• Michelle Maloney, National Convenor, Australian Earth Laws Alliance and Griffith University
  • Presentation - Introduction
  • Presentation - Ecological Justice - News from Around the World
• Drew Hutton, Lock the Gate Alliance
• Jo-Anne Bragg, Principal Solicitor, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland
  • To view Jo's presentation click here
• Associate Professor, Wendy Steele, RMIT
  • To view Wendy's presentation click here
• Dr Jason Byrne, Urban Research Program, Griffith University
  • To view Jason's presentation click here
• Dr Carol Richards, QUT and Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance
  • To view Carol's presentation click here
• Dr Aysin Dedekorkut, Griffith University
• Brendan Sydes, CEO, Environment Defenders Office Victoria
  • To view Brendan's presentation click here
• Dr Rowena Maguire, QUT Law School
  • To view Rowena's presentation click here

SUMMARY

‘Environmental justice’ refers to equality and fairness in the distribution of environmental harms and benefits (distributive justice), and to the rights of affected communities to participate in decision-making regarding these distributions (procedural or participatory justice). The term ‘environmental justice’ originated in the USA, and the concept is now used in many countries and in international environmental law. The term has not historically been widely used in Australia, but there is growing interest among civil society groups and some government agencies in the concept.

The aim of the symposium was to bring together academics, activists, legal practitioners, students and regulators, to explore Environmental Justice in Queensland and to identify opportunities for future collaborative projects. The symposium will provide an update on international, national and local developments in Environmental Justice; explore the relationship between environmental justice, ecological justice and Earth jurisprudence; and develop an Environmental Justice agenda for Queensland.

OUTCOMES

Participants at the Symposium agreed it is important for individuals and groups working to support environmental justice in Australia to connect on a regular basis and share information and resources.  To further this goal, the group created the "Environmental Justice Network Australia".  To find out more about this Network, please visit the following links:

• AELA's webpage about the EJ Network: http://www.earthlaws.org.au/environmental-justice-network-australia/
• EJ Network Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Environmental-Justice-Network-Australia/279379502223512?fref=ts
• EJ Network Facebook group discussion page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/768315263186796/