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    Climate Change Resilience in Island Nations: A Rights-Based Approach

    Feb 14, 2024

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    In the Indo-Pacific, ABA ROLI's climate change programs strengthen the resilience of coastal communities, protect the legal rights of Indigenous groups, support journalists reporting on human rights, and promote people-centered justice. Speakers included ABA ROLI staff experts and experts from our network of civil society and government partners in South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

    Agenda

    8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

    Light breakfast and registration

    Refreshments provided.

    9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

    Panel 1: Journalists as Environmental Defenders: Case studies from 3 Countries

    This session highlighted the role of journalists and the strategies each country as defenders of environment and human rights.

    10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

    Panel 2: What Does Climate Justice Mean for Small Island Developing States?

    This session discussed the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States and their strategies to promote climate justice within and beyond the regions.

    • Moderator: Adi Alanieta Velulu, Program Advisor of Right to Resilience, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (Fiji)

    • Jade Marquez, Program Director of Right to Resilience, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (Philippines)

    • Dr. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, News Lab Adjunct Professor, University of Washington (Samoa)

    11:30 AM - 12:15 p.m.

    Roundtable: Climate Change and Gender-Based Violence in the Pacific Islands

    This session examined gender-based violence, the vulnerabilities faced by women and marginalized groups in the context of environmental vulnerability, and strategies to address the following issues.

    • Adi Alanieta Velulu, Program Advisor of Right to Resilience, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (Fiji) 
    • Christine J. Cuomo, Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies at the University of Georgia

    12:15 - 1:00 p.m.

    Light Luncheon

    Light food provided.