Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

November 11, 2017

UPDATE: WECAN at COP23 Climate Talks in Germany






Outstanding global women leaders - who will present at the November 13
 WECAN event during UNFCCC COP23 - details below!
Dear Friends and Allies,

The Women's Earth and Climate Action Network is currently on the ground in Bonn, Germany, engaged in intensive climate justice advocacy and action with our Delegation and diverse global allies during the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP23 Climate Talks.

Explore this special newsletter for details on upcoming events during the second week of COP23, select highlights from week one, and information on the ongoing global launch of 'Women Speak: Stories, Case Studies And Solutions From The Frontlines Of Climate Change'! A full newsletter and WECAN COP23 analysis will be available following the close of the conference.
Updates From WECAN International On The Ground 
At The UNFCCC COP23 Climate Talks, Germany
Upcoming WECAN COP23 Events

  • COP23 SIDE EVENT - Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change
    • Wednesday, November 15 from 11:30-13:00, BONN Zone Meeting Room 12
  • COP23 PRESS CONFERENCE - Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change
    • Wednesday, November 15 from 15:30 - 16:00, BULA Zone 3 Press Conference Room 2 
Rights Of Nature Tribunal, COP23 Advocacy And Report Release

Asa Simma of Indigenous Sami People of Sweden opens the Tribunal alongside Indigenous leaders of North and South America

Over the course of two days, a global coalition of people's movement leaders organized by the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature convened to hold the Fourth International Rights of Nature Tribunal, in parallel to the ongoing UN climate talks.

Rights of Nature Tribunals are a unique, citizen-created initiative which give people from around the world the opportunity to testify publicly on destruction of the Earth and their communities, while advancing and demonstrating the possibilities of an alternative legal framework for justice and living in harmony with the world and each other. Over the course of the Tribunal, we heard powerful testimony from global leaders on topics including oil extraction and deforestation; prosecution of Indigenous and land defenders; global trade agreements; industrial agriculture; mega-dams; false climate solutions; financialization of nature; and much more.

WECAN is very honored to have co-organized the Tribunal, and ongoing Rights of Nature events as a member of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature Executive Committee. WECAN's Executive Director also served as a judge to the Bonn Tribunal climate change case.

for detailed information and videos from the Tribunal



In conjunction with the Tribunal - we are also thrilled to announce the release of an important new report, 'Rights of Nature and Mother Earth: Rights Based Law for Systemic Change', co-edited by the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network, Movement Rights and the Indigenous Environmental Network.


Women And Gender Constituency Advocacy

Advocates of the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency at the
daily Women's Caucus meeting

During COP23 and far beyond, WECAN International is thankful for the opportunity to work in solidarity with the global members of the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency (WGC). Read and share the WGC Key Demands at COP23 here.

Those interested in detailed coverage, technical notes and monitoring of daily progress and issues in advocacy for gender equity at the UNFCCC climate negotiations are encouraged to download this important Gender Climate Tracker app from our allies at WEDO.
Solidarity With The Ende Gelände Movement In Germany

Nov. 4 action, photo via the Ende Gelände Facebook


The day before the start of the COP23 climate conference, Germany's Ende Gelände movement and over 4,500 activists from around the world held a non-violent direct action to shut down part of Germany's largest open pit coal mine, the Hambacher coal mine.

WECAN International was honored to join in solidarity at the action as hundreds of  movement leaders went deep into the mine, putting their bodies on the line to prevent the work of the massive excavators ripping at the Earth; and to say 'no' to fossil fuels, and 'yes' to a just transition to a renewable energy future. We look forward to hearing more about Ende Gelände from movement leader, Dorothee Häussermann, during our upcoming public event!

'Women Speak: Stories, Case Studies And Solutions From The Frontlines Of Climate Change' Launch Month
Painting by Jade Leyva Art
 On November 1st, WECAN International launched our exciting new inititative, 'Women Speak: Stories, Case Studies And Solutions From The Frontlines Of Climate Change'.

This web-based research database and initiative designed to shift the narrative and to challenge dominant systems of exploitation and oppression of women and the Earth, as we collect and share many hundreds, and ultimately many thousands, of stories by and about women leading struggles and solutions for climate justice under a variety of cross-sectional themes.

As part of the 'Women Speak' November launch month - we are thrilled to share with you a special Women Speak video, and a powerful project launch article and series of interviews from Ms. Magazine, featuring WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake and allies Patricia Gualinga (Ecuador), Reetu Sogani (India), Neha Misra (Global), Jacqueline Patterson (USA), Ruth Nyambura (Kenya), and Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation, USA).

For the Earth and All Generations, 
The Women's Earth and Climate Action Network Team

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