Earth-Centred Futures: July – August, 2022
About the Course
The Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) is offering an 8-week course for people seeking to build a deeper understanding of ecocentrism and Earth-centred governance, so they can develop new thinking and practice in their life and work.
Join our fantastic course and you will:
- Develop your ability to think, work and create from an Earth-centred perspective;
- Build your knowledge about the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life on Earth;
- Build your knowledge about ancient and emerging approaches to Earth-centred governance;
- Hone your ability to analyse, critique and challenge problematic anthropocentric (human-centred) and extractivist practices within human governance – including law, economics, education and ethics – that are contributing to the destruction of the living world.
- Connect and collaborate with a network of like-minded, multi-disciplinary professionals;
- Engage at a personal and professional level, with a positive vision for the future.
Our Speakers
Each module features leading Earth-centred thinkers and practitioners from Australia and around the world.
Our guest speakers include:
- Dr Mary Graham – Adjunct Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Queensland and Kombu-merri and Waka Waka First Nations person
- Professor Will Steffen – Earth System and Climate Scientist – Climate Council and co-creator of the Planetary Boundaries framework
- Professor Brendan Mackey – Forest ecologist – Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon (Griffith University)
- Professor Robert Costanza – Ecological economist – Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London
- Jojo Mehta – Co-founder, Stop Ecocide International
- Sue Higginson – public interest environmental lawyer and Greens member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
- Professor Yin Paradies – Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in Race Relations – Deakin University
- Dr Peter Westoby – Director, Community Praxis Coop
- Mari Margil – Rights of Nature expert and Legal Attorney – Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (United States)
- Dr Michelle Maloney – Australian Earth Laws Alliance, Convenor and Director
- And other fantastic speakers
Further Information
This course is inspired by the theory of Earth jurisprudence, which proposes that the current ecological crisis – which has seen humanity cross 4 of the 9 Planetary Boundaries that guarantee a safe operating space for life on earth – has been created by anthropocentric world views and governance systems that emerged in Western industrialised societies, and which spread around the world through colonisation and globalisation.
Earth jurisprudence suggests that today’s dominant governance systems (including law, economics, ethics and education) have been created by a world view that believes we are separate from the interconnected web of life. This world view has enabled the development of human governance systems that support unsustainable extractivism and large scale environmental degradation. Today, industrialised societies need rapid systems change, in order to restore environmental health, build sustainable societies and support the interconnected community of life.
One of the most powerful ways to respond to the ecological crisis is to develop an Earth-centred, or ecocentric, world view and engage deeply with an understanding of the needs and wellbeing of the interconnected community of life. An Earth-centred world view can stimulate reflection about our place in the wider Earth community and can catalyse a range of practical and multidisciplinary approaches for creating systems change.
Earth-centred thinking engages with First Nations Peoples’ epistemologies, as well as a broad range of western disciplines, including philosophy, law, economics, science, cosmology, science, religion and environmental philosophy. Innovative and creative work needs to occur in each of these areas if we are to build a truly sustainable and mutually enhancing future society.
- Explore and develop your understanding of your own beliefs and values, create frameworks for your professional work (and if you wish, for your personal life) and identify specific projects of your own that you can analyse and/or develop during the course.
- Learn about the theory and practice of Earth jurisprudence: an overarching framework for analysing current modalities of human governance.
- Explore Earth-centred philosophy and ethics, including Indigenous philosophies such as the Relationist Ethos.
- Learn about the science of interconnectedness: what western science can tell us about our place within the web of life and the wider universe; our interconnectedness with life on Earth and our responses to the current ecological and climate crises.
- Be introduced to the ancient principles and emerging concepts of Earth-centred law and governance: including Indigenous Peoples’ First Laws, the growing Rights of Nature movement, Ecocide law and ‘Ecological Law’.
- Critique neo-classical economics and learn about Earth-centred approaches to economics, including Steady State, Ecological Economics, Wellbeing and Doughnut Economics.
- Critique western structures of international and national politics and policy and find out how Earth-centred approaches need to challenge and transform western style political systems.
- Develop new approaches to your own projects, work, and career path.
- All classes are delivered online (using Zoom video conferencing).
- Live classes will be held on Tuesdays from 5pm to 7pm AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time), to allow you to complete the course amid existing professional and personal commitments. Classes are informal and interactive, to enable participants to get to know each other, build connections and learn in different ways.
- Each class includes the course facilitator and up to three expert speakers. Short talks will be given live in class, followed by opportunities for questions and discussions.
- Resources – including reading lists and video/audio materials – will be available a month before the course commences, for people who would like to engage with the course materials and prepare for the class discussions.
- Tutorials (60 minute discussion sessions) will be offered online, with up to 3 tutorials offered to all participants during the 8 week course. Tutorials will provide a space for participants to discuss and seek clarification about key issues raised in the classes.
Assessment is optional. For those seeking a certificate of completion and/or digital badge, AELA offers an assessment module at the end of the course. Assessment will involve two elements: (1) a multiple choice test and (2) a written essay (or as an alternative to the written essay, an oral presentation) addressing key issues addressed in the course.
The program is created, facilitated and delivered by Dr Michelle Maloney, Co-Founder and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance.
Dr Maloney is recognised globally as a leading practitioner in the field of Earth-centred law and governance. Read more about Michelle’s qualifications, work and publications on AELA’s website.
Each module features leading Earth-centred thinkers and practitioners from Australia and around the world.
- Mary Graham – Adjunct Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Queensland and Kombu-merri and Waka Waka First Nations person
- Professor Will Steffen – Climate Council and co-creator of the Planetary Boundaries framework
- Professor Brendan Mackey – Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon (Griffith University)
- Professor Robert Costanza – Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London
- Mari Margil – Rights of Nature expert and Legal Attorney,Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (United States)
- And other fantastic speakers
AELA’s Earth-centred Futures Course offers a unique opportunity for you to deepen your understanding of Earth-centred governance. It will strengthen your ability to create and implement new solutions and governance approaches to restore and sustain life on our beautiful planet.
Develop your understanding of human-centred and Earth-centred worldviews
Understand the difference between anthropocentric and earth-centric thinking and governance. Understand the role anthropocentric thinking and behaviour has played in the current ecological crisis. Build insights about the intrinsic rights of nature, how to regulate ourselves as part of that community and the opportunity earth-centric thinking provides for a sustainable future.
Build your understanding of Earth-centred governance and engage with a positive vision for the future
Develop a deep understanding of the relevance of governance as a root cause of the current system and the limitations of sustainability within the current framework. Expand your understanding of governance beyond humanity to the whole earth community. Learn about the need to create governance structures that enable human societies to fit within our ecological. Engage with a positive vision for the future of our governance systems.
Be equipped to apply learning to real-world approaches
Be exposed to existing and emerging Earth-centred approaches in Australia and internationally. Develop skills to critique the current system, analyse the potential of implementing earth centred governance in your area of interest and design new approaches to governance in the 21st Century.
Collaborate with and create a network of Earth-centred individuals
Learn from Earth-centred thought-leaders and change-makers from Australia and internationally. Collaborate with and build a network of like-minded individuals to support each other during and after the programme.
Feel empowered to play your part in shaping the future
Gain insights, skills and confidence to play your part in creating an Earth-centred approach and engage, mobilise and influence others to join you. Understand how to lead with your whole self, for the whole earth.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students and volunteers from not-for-profit organisations who wish to participate but who require financial support to register.
Payment plans can be made available to facilitate payment of course fees in installments.
Please contact us at aela@earthlaws.org.au for information about Scholarships or Payment Plans.
Course Content
Introduction and All Zoom Links
-
Course Introduction
00:00 -
Live Class and Tutorial Zoom Links
00:00
