Earth Laws- shifting to earth centred thinking and action.

The need for new governance systems has never been greater: as we face a climate changed world and transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels, human societies need to create new ways of working together and nurturing the wider Earth community. In this session we will be inspired by Michelle Maloney from the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA). We will imagine a different way of belonging to place that respects both Aboriginal sovereignty and the other-than-human communities we are part of. Michelle's presentation will explore bioregioning, the rights of nature, legal personhood for nature and new economies. This will be an interactive session that includes time for discussions, and time to workshop the practical ways that Earth centred approaches can support our local communities.

Dr Michelle Maloney is the Co-Founder and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) and is recognised internationally for her work advocating for Earth centred law and governance, including the Rights of Nature. Michelle is a Co-Founder of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and a Director of Future Dreaming, an Indigenous led organisation that works to share Indigenous ecological and governance knowledge with non-Indigenous people and organisations in Australia. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and Laws (Honours) from the Australian National University and a PhD in Law from Griffith University. She is an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS); and a member of the Advisory Council for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN). Information about Michelle’s books, journal publications, and public speaking can be found on her website: www.michellemaloney.au