In this lecture, Dr Nick Mount will draw on his experiences over the last three years in which he has worked with the guardians and riverine communities of the Atrato to support their efforts to defend their rights and those of their river.

The Atrato River catchment is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, and one of the most at risk at the hands of illegal gold mining, and the violence and poverty that drives it. It flows through a region plagued by armed conflict, forced displacement, state abandonment, corruption and racism. But there is hope. In 2016 the Afro-Colombian communities of the Atrato took their river’s case to the Colombian Constitutional Court, arguing that their biocultural rights were being infringed by the destruction of the river. The success of their case has generated a globally significant ruling that recognizes the Atrato as a bearer of its own rights which must be upheld in order to protect the bio-cultural rights of the riverine communities. It has also resulted in community members taking on the difficult and dangerous role of becoming the river’s legal guardians.

This event will take place 5-6pm on Wednesday 20 November in A48 Sir Clive Granger Building, University Park.

Refreshments will be provided after the lecture and there will be an opportunity for informal conversation with University Tutors.