Festival of Debate presents Jessica den Outer: The Forest Fights Back, A Global Movement for the Rights of Nature

In association with the River Dôn Project

6pm Doors, 6.30pm start

All tickets will include one complementary drink of red wine / white wine / beer / or soft drink.

As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, ecosystems are collapsing, and the planet’s future hangs in the balance. For centuries, our legal systems have treated nature as something to be owned and exploited, but a bold new movement is challenging this paradigm.

In The Forest Fights Back, Jessica den Outer explores a groundbreaking global movement – Rights of Nature – taking on the legal system to recognise the rights of rivers, forests, and mountains to exist, flourish, and sustain their ecological balance. From the fight for the Whanganui River in New Zealand to the battle for Spain’s Mar Menor lagoon, den Outer highlights the campaigns led by grassroots communities, telling stories of determination and legal ingenuity.

This movement goes beyond law – it represents a cultural shift that could reshape how we live, think, co-exist and advocate for nature.

The conversation will be hosted by Jonny Douglas of the River Dôn Project, a Rights of Nature project based right here in South Yorkshire that seeks to demonstrate how we can see and sense into the complex ecosystems and relationships that make up the water catchments that we are all a part of.

Jessica den Outer is an expert in environmental law who advocates globally for the Rights of Nature. Since 2017, she’s been consulted and has spoken for institutions like the UN and Harvard. She founded the NGO ‘Stichting Rechten van de Natuur’ and has received numerous awards for her pioneering work.

EVENT FORMAT & INFORMATION

• 18:00 - Doors open
• 18:00-18:30 - Attendees arrive, get a drink if they like, and find a seat.
• 18:30-19:30 - The speakers will talk from the front of the room.
• 19:30-20:00 - Q+A with the audience where participation is optional.
• 20:00 - The structured part of the event ends, although attendees can leave at any time.
• 20:00-21:00 - Networking opportunity for participants to meet and chat.

During the event attendees will be expected to sit and listen although if they need to stand or move around while listening there is space at the back to do so.

ACCESSIBILITY
We do not have detailed access information about the Sheffield Energy Hub at the moment but know that there is step free access from the street and that there is an 'accessible toilet'. Please be aware that parking spots close to the venue are limited. Any questions please contact us at access@weareopus.org

Seating: Unreserved seating is available, if you’d like us to reserve a seat for you or you have specific requirements, please get in touch.
Masks: FFP2 masks will be available for free.
Audio: Microphones will be used.
Quiet space: There is not a dedicated quiet space available however there is a public lobby area with seating separate from the event that can be used.

If you have any questions regarding accessibility for this event, please feel free to contact us at access@weareopus.org.