End-of-year reflections: Speak4Nature’s achievements in 2024 and goals for the future

As 2024 comes to a close, Speak4Nature wishes to share a reflection on the activities carried out and milestones achieved, extending its gratitude to the consortium partners and everyone who contributed to the project’s success.

The year 2024 saw the consortium, led by the Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), deeply engaged in international events, workshops, and seminars that strengthened the discourse on ecological justice, its connection to human rights, and the intrinsic value of non-human nature. Speak4Nature aims to unite academia and civil society in the fight against environmental crises and to advocate for the legal recognition of nature’s intrinsic value from the perspectives of rights and duties. To this end, the project partners have organized various events involving scholars and members of civil society from different disciplines and organizations.

January in Madrid: non-anthropocentric values and ecological justice

The year began with the first training course on the theoretical aspects of ecological justice titled “Why is Nature Valuable?”, hosted at the Toledo Campus of Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, spanning two days:

• January 25: The workshop “The Inherent Value of Non-Human Nature” presented project findings on the intrinsic value of non-human nature, with discussions on ecological justice and legal theory. Highlights from the event included Joaquín Valdivieso’s lecture “Is Inherent Value Non-Anthropocentric?”.
  
• January 26: The on-site training event “Human and Non-Human Rights in Legal Theory” explored the role of anthropocentrism in law and the shift towards ecocentric approaches. The event featured contributions from internal and external experts.
  

April in Florianópolis: transcontinental dialogues on ecological justice

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Florianópolis served as the ideal setting for the second major event of the year, hosting the First Speak4Nature Network School. Two main events took place:

• April 8: The workshop “Human Rights and Ecological Justice” brought together project partners to discuss key themes related to human rights and ecological justice.
• April 9–15: The First Speak4Nature Network School was a unique meeting point for students, researchers, professionals, and members of civil society. Over the course of an entire week, the event featured contributions from experts in the field coming from various European and Latin American locations. The Network School focused on ecological justice, its relationship with human rights, and themes related to natural law theory and the intrinsic value of nature. Additionally, local experts provided pragmatic insights during discussions about the Lagoa da Conceição case in Florianópolis. On the final day of the activity, the main research funding policies at both European and international levels were presented, thanks to a contribution from APRE Italia. Finally, participants in the Network School visited the communities living on the shores of Lagoa da Conceição, the largest lagoon in Florianópolis, which was the site of an environmental disaster in 2021 whose effects are still felt today. During the visit, participants were guided through the lagoon’s stunning landscapes by representatives of the NGO Costa Legal, who explained the ongoing legal process aimed at recognizing the rights of Lagoa da Conceição.

October in Europe: assessments and future directions

October marked a pivotal moment for Speak4Nature project, with two key events that fostered dialogue among partners and solidified the project’s outcomes.

• October 7: The Mid-Term Meeting was held at the Luigi Einaudi Campus in Turin, offering an opportunity to evaluate project progress, address organizational and scientific matters, and facilitate collaboration among consortium members. Nearly all Principal Investigators of the project joined the meeting in person, ensuring productive and enriching exchanges.
  
• October 9–10: In Munich, the workshop “The Political Implementation of Nature’s Inherent Value” showcased the project’s findings on the political theory of nature’s intrinsic value. Contributions came from both internal and external experts, and the event included a guided visit to Hermannsdorf Organic Farm, a practical example of sustainable and responsible resource management.
  

Cross-cutting initiatives and thematic webinars

Beyond the main events, the project continues to emphasize the significance of secondments in fostering collaboration and advancing research. The S4N Seminar Series, held across the consortium’s institutions, provides a vital platform for interdisciplinary and intersectoral dialogue among researchers in secondments.

Additionally, a webinar organized by the Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO) and the Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) addressed the challenges of lithium extraction in Argentina’s Salar del Hombre Muerto. This webinar highlighted the role of strategic legal cases in ecological justice, building on the approach introduced during the First Speak4Nature Network School to connect theoretical concepts with local issues.

Gratitude and aspirations for 2025

The achievements of 2024 were made possible by the dedication and collaboration of researchers, partners, students, and supporters. To all who contributed to the project’s success, we extend our heartfelt thanks.

As we look ahead to 2025, we face new challenges with hope and optimism. Speak4Nature remains committed to advancing ecological justice, the recognition of nature’s intrinsic value, and the creation of a more equitable and socio-ecologically sustainable world.

Together, we will continue to expand knowledge, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and transform ideas into actionable solutions. Thank you for being part of this journey, we look forward to collaborating with you in 2025 for another year of shared progress and innovation.