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Networks and partnerships for the future of environmental law

Objectives

This project aims to strengthen networks run by early-career environmental lawyers, policymakers, decision-makers, and researchers and establish partnerships to create opportunities for these professionals to showcase their research and work, co-design initiatives, and further develop their skills within the Commission and the broader IUCN programme. In particular, the project pays particular attention to networks in Small Island Developing States and developing countries.

Activities

  • Mapping existing networks and communities of practice run by, or relevant to, early-career environmental law professionals
  • Showcasing the work of existing networks and communities of practice run by early-career environmental professionals
    IUCN WCEL Early-Career Voices
  • Organize networking sessions for early-career and senior environmental law professionals
  • Collaborate with the WCEL, IUCN Academy of Environmental Law and other IUCN entities to foster opportunities for early-career professionals;
  • Establish partnerships with universities, law faculties, and research institutions, including alumni networks, to create opportunities for early-career environmental professionals.

To get involved or to receive more information, please get in touch with the project co-leads: Ms. Ria Das and Mr. Edwin Alblas.

 

About the project co-leads

Ms. Ria Das is a human rights lawyer and early career researcher based in India, with extensive experience collaborating with youth and children, indigenous and local communities, and social movements to drive forward collaborative research, advocacy, and strategic litigation efforts. Currently, she holds the position of the United Nations Youth Advisor on Environmental and Climate Justice in the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating her commitment to advancing environmental causes on an international scale.  Her contributions extend to co-authoring research papers with national, regional, and global perspectives, contributing to esteemed institutions, including UNDP, UN Human rights, Cambridge and Oxford University to name a few, further solidifying her impact in the field.

Mr. Edwin Alblas is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Law at the Law Group of Wageningen University & Research (tenure track), the Netherlands. He completed his PhD in environmental law and regulation at the Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin (UCD) and pursued a postdoc at the University of Groningen. He is a graduate of Tilburg University (BA, LLM) and KU Leuven (LLM). His research stands at the intersection of agriculture and environment, focusing on topics like biodiversity, soil health and pollution, using a variety of legal and social science methodologies, and often working together with life scientists.  He has extensive teaching experience in the field of environmental law and regulation and has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals including Transnational Environmental Law, Regulation & Governance, and Land Use Policy.