Moving Toward Ecological Governance: Philippine Pathways to a Rights of Nature Future

Join us for our July webinar, hosted by the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) Asia Pacific Hub. We will be joined by Yolanda Esguerra and Fr. Edwin A. Gariguez to discuss pathways to a Rights of Nature future in the Philippines. ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS YOLANDA ESGUERRA - "Building a Rights of Nature Movement: Philippine Experience" Yolanda “Yolly” Esguerra is a long‑time environmental advocate and the National Coordinator of the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), a nationwide network advancing social justice, environmental protection, and sustainable development. She has been a key leader in promoting the Rights of Nature movement in the Philippines, strengthening public understanding and policy engagement through partnerships with academic institutions and grassroots communities—including PMPI’s pioneering collaboration with the UP Open University. Her advocacy spans national campaigns to protect vital ecosystems and push for the Rights of Nature Bill, grounded in a commitment to community empowerment, ecological justice, and transformative environmental governance. FR. EDWIN A. GARIGUEZ - "Sacred Earth, Legal Rights: Convergence between Indigenous Worldviews and the Phillipine Rights of Nature Legislation" Fr. Edwin A. Gariguez is a Filipino Catholic priest, environmental advocate, and development leader known for his decades of work advancing ecological justice, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and Church-based social action. His work with Indigenous communities in Mindoro—especially in opposing mining incursions into critical ecosystems—earned him the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for grassroots environmental activism. Today, Fr. Gariguez remains a leading voice in the Philippines for renewable energy, Rights of Nature, agroecology, and the protection of Indigenous lifeways, inspiring faith communities and civil society to pursue ecological conversion and transformative action. WEBINAR HOST - DR MICHELLE MALONEY Ms Michelle Maloney (PhD) is an Australian-based Earth lawyer and advocate for ecocentric and bioregional governance. She is recognised internationally and in Australia for her work advocating for Earth centred law and governance, including First Laws and the Rights of Nature. Michelle is Co-Founder and Director of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), an organisation created to increase the understanding and practical implementation of Earth centred law and governance (www.earthlaws.org.au) Michelle is part of the Coordinating Team for the GARN Asia Pacific Hub. For more information about Michelle's work, publications and affiliations, please visit: www.michellemaloney.au ABOUT THE GARN ASIA PACIFIC HUB The Asia-Pacific Hub of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) is a regional network working to promote and implement the Rights of Nature (RoN) across the Asia-Pacific. It connects advocates, indigenous communities, and experts to shift legal frameworks from treating nature as property to recognizing ecosystems as rights-bearing entities. https://www.garnasiapacific.org/ Read more about the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) - https://www.garn.org/ Read more about the Asia-Pacific Hub - https://www.garnasiapacific.org/