Where We Work: Update on British Columbia

We at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights send warm wishes to everyone struggling with the Coronavirus. 

As we adjust our own work in light of Covid 19, we have been so inspired and proud to be partners with people around the world who are continuing their dedicated work to protect nature, people, and communities.

This includes in British Columbia, where on March 18, 2020, we were able to participate in a full day of discussion and learnings about the Rights of Nature and what it might mean to advance this in the province.  This was all done through video conferencing as we were not able to travel to Vancouver for the events.

Over the past number of months, we have been pleased to work with Stepan Wood, the Director of the Centre for Law and the Environment at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law, and his law students, on research on the Rights of Nature, and what that might look like within the British Columbia legal context.  The students have done an outstanding job of considering the different mechanisms for advancing rights of the natural world into law and governance.

Our partner organization, Rights of Nature B.C., joined with him to hold a series of meetings – ultimately held virtually – to advance these discussions.  CDER was very pleased to help bring this together and engage in this important dialogue.

That evening, CDER’s Mari Margil gave a public presentation – by video – on the Rights of Nature to advocates, lawyers, and members of the public from different countries.  This was followed by a rich discussion on how the Rights of Nature has advanced in Ecuador and other countries, and the difference between legal personhood and the Rights of Nature (stay tuned for more CDER blogs for information on that!).