Workshop: Climate Change, Indigenous Rights & QLD Human Rights Act
This workshop will consider challenges and opportunities for Indigenous rights in the face of the climate crisis, including in the context of the Queensland Human Rights Act. Coinciding with the completion of COP26, it will also critically reflect on Australia’s standing in relation to global responsibilities.
Speakers from across Australia and the UK will critically explore social and cultural impacts of the climate crisis, Indigenous rights-led climate advocacy, Indigenous knowledges and global climate governance, environmental justice and human rights, and related topics.
This event is intended to bring together researchers, advocates, policy makers, lawyers, students and others with an interest in climate change and its rights implications.
Date: Wed 17 November
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: UQ Anthropology Museum, Level 1, Michie Building (9) St Lucia Campus, UQ (Limited capacity)
This event will be offered in both an in-person and online format via zoom. Please register via the preferred way below.
Doors open at 3:30 and afternoon tea will be served for those in attendance face to face before the workshop commences at 4:00 pm.
The zoom link will be sent before the event.
Speakers:
- Murrawah Johnson: Wirdi woman from North and Central Queensland with ties to Kangalou, Kullilli, Iman, Mununjali and Bigambul Peoples. Murrawah has worked on Aboriginal rights litigation; lobbying corporations, State and Federal governments; submits to UN agencies and rapporteurs on human rights breaches; and building research and policy agendas. She also works on community-level Indigenous and climate justice strategies.
- Dr Pedram Rashidi: An interdisciplinary scholar on the politics of environmental change and development. He has a background in science and extensive work experience in the (renewable) energy industries in Iran and Australia. He teaches the politics of environmental change and development at UQ.
- Dr Ruchira Talukar: Doctorate in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Ruchira Talukdar’s research focuses on the comparative aspects of environmental and climate justice between the global North and South. She has worked within the environment movement in India and Australia for a decade and a half.
- Sara Mejia-Muñoz: Human Rights lawyer from Colombia. She has a master’s degree in Development Practice from the University of Queensland. She has worked with different Non-Governmental Organizations in South America AND has been involved in the international advocacy for corporate accountability.
- Dr Gary Fry: Dr Gary Fry: Aboriginal man from Katherine, in the Northern Territory. He has taught and been principal in four remote Aboriginal schools across the NT over a decade, and worked at executive levels in urban mainstream schools in Darwin. In recent years Gary has undertaken different roles at Charles Darwin University. Gary was recently awarded the 2021 University of Sydney medal for academic excellence.
- Dr Damien Short: Human Rights Consortium – School of Advance Study, University of London
The agenda includes presentation of key speakers, responses, and an interactive Q&A session.
Event Enquiries
Sara Mejia-Muñoz
s.mejiamunoz@uq.edu.au
COVID Guidelines
This event will comply with Queensland Government COVID safe event requirements. All guests will be required to sign in using the Check In Qld app and follow social distancing directives at the time of the event.
* This event has been possible thanks to the funding provided by UQ Global Strategy and Partnerships Seed Funding Scheme.
About Workshop: Climate Change, Indigenous Rights & QLD Human Rights Act
This workshop will consider challenges and opportunities for Indigenous rights in the face of the climate crisis, including in the context of the Queensland Human Rights Act. Coinciding with the completion of COP26, it will also critically reflect on Australia’s standing in relation to global responsibilities.