The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies is pleased to offer an online educational platform to engage students, scholars and the general public in research and publication in the field of Genocide and Human Rights. Webinars are led by leading scholars and experts in their fields, and cover a range of conceptual themes and specific case studies.
Climate Change, Conflict and Displacement: The Role of Human Rights
Prof. Sumudu Atapattu, University of Wisconsin Law School
From sea level rise to resource scarcity, climate change can undermine many of the protected rights with far reaching implications for current and future generations. Sea level rise and extreme weather events are making many places uninhabitable, triggering mass movement of people. Many scholars believe that resource scarcity can trigger conflict which, in turn, will also give rise to displacement and refugees. This presentation examines the link between climate change, conflict and displacement and what role human rights law can play in protecting the rights of people.
“Maples are People”: An Indigenous Critique of Ecocide, Genocide, and the Human/Nature Dualism
Prof. Lauren Eichler, Old Dominion University
This presentation explores how the dualistic and racist Western-colonial conceptions of “human” and “nature” have harmed Indigenous communities in three related ways: by delegitimizing Indigenous environmental ontologies, identity, and ethics, by dehumanizing Indigenous peoples, and by enabling the ecocide-genocide of Indigenous lands and peoples. The presentation also considers the value and limitations for Indigenous peoples of making ecocide an international crime.
Indigenous Peoples, Colonialism and Climate Justice
Prof. Deborah McGregor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Indigenous communities are facing very serious climate impacts and structural inequalities are rendering them disproportionately vulnerable to the current and future impacts of the changing climate. This presentation examines the relationships between Indigenous peoples, rights, and colonialism that perpetuates injustice, and why Indigenous leadership, languages and knowledges are critical for advancing climate justice goals.
Limiting Dangerous Climate Change: Its Critical Threat to Human Rights, and the Role of Human Rights, Citizens Suits and Domestic Courts in Saving Humankind and the Planet
Prof. David Estrin, Canada’s Senior Environmental Law Specialist; Co-Chair of the International Bar Association President’s Task Force on Climate Change Justice and Human Rights
This webinar provides insights into the critically important role of law and human rights in helping to stop dangerous climate change and climate related human rights deprivations. Through a quick global tour of key citizen-initiated domestic court climate change cases and rulings, it explains the legal foundations on which youth, citizens, Indigenous and other threatened communities, and NGOs can initiate litigation before domestic courts to legally require governments and the private sector to take needed actions to rapidly reduce GHG emission, decarbonize energy supplies and become carbon neutral.
Changing Borders: Climate, Rights, and the Future
Prof. Simon Dalby, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University; Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation
The stable political arrangements of territorial states and fixed borders are being challenged by accelerating climate change. Other environmental disruptions are occurring too in what is now often called the age of the Anthropocene. Looking ahead at what this means for governance, rights and politics is a tricky business, but one that can no longer be neglected in humanity’s new circumstances.
Interested in these webinars? See all of our webinars here!
