SYDNEY WORKSHOP - EXPLORING ECOCENTRIC CULTURE AND GOVERNANCE IN AUSTRALIA

We live in very strange times. Many people have declared we are officially in ‘collapse’ - across ecosystems, capitalist economics, Western governance systems and more.

At the same time, we are seeing rapid growth in Earth laws initiatives, rights of nature laws, bioregionalism, multi-species justice, 'nature on the board' and respect for Indigenous knowledge and practices that Care for Country and Care for Kin. 

How can we bring the very best of us - our ideas, our creativity and our love for life on Earth – together, to connect diverse fields of work, encourage and support each other, ask questions, and build a positive vision for collectively responding to eco-social challenges.

AELA's Eco-Imaginarium Series is co-hosted in Sydney with Regen Sydney, UTS Transdisciplinary School, Ecocentrix and Future Dreaming. Join us to connect, learn and share!

The workshop will feature guest speakers, break out discussions, mapping/sharing of ideas & practices, and creative activities. The workshop will produce a publication focusing on ecocentric governance, and will also contribute to the wider series publication in 2027.

SYDNEY PROGRAM - EXPLORING ECOCENTRIC CULTURE AND GOVERNANCE IN AUSTRALIA

17 September 10am-5.30pm - 101 William Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010

10.00am - Acknowledgement of Country and Introductions

10.30am - First Peoples’ Relationalist Ethos and Ecocentric Governance - Dr Mary Graham

11.00am – Creative activity – An invitation to think differently

11.15am – Morning tea

11.45am – Creative activity – More than human imagining

12.00pm – Mapping our ecocentric landscape

1.00pm – Lunch break (lunch is provided – please be sure to tell us your dietary requirements when you register)

2.00pm – Creative activity to get moving after lunch!

2.15pm – Breakouts: Sharing and Growing Our Practices

3.00pm – Shareback

3.30pm – Afternoon tea

4.00pm – Yarning Circle, to reflect on what we’ve discussed and how we might collaborate into the future

4.30pm – Panel: Building momentum and collaboration

5.15pm – Wrap Up and Next steps together

5.30pm – Close: Networking and refreshments

GUEST SPEAKERS AND FACILITATORS

Mary Graham, Adjunct Associate Professor University of Queensland + Waijin Research Hub + Kombumerri person
Susan Moylan-Coombs, CEO of Gaimaragal Group + Director of the Gaimaragal Foundation + Indigenous Expert Consultant with the UTS Transdisciplinary School
Danielle Celermajer, Sydney Environment Institute, Sydney University
Michelle Maloney, Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) + Future Dreaming
Susie Pratt, Transdisciplinary School UTS
Kiran Kashyap, Regen Sydney

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN EARTH LAWS ALLIANCE (AELA)

AELA is a not-for-profit organisation working to increase the understanding and practical implementation of Earth-centred (ecocentric) governance. AELA works to create systems change, across an intersection of reimagining and decolonising: law, economics, education, ethics and community participation in Australia. AELA's vision is an Australian society that embraces an ecocentric or ‘life-centred’ culture, with governance systems that enable human communities to thrive within healthy ecological boundaries. AELA's work includes education programs and project support for people, communities and organisations working to create ecocentric and bioregional systems change.

For more information about AELA, visit our website: www.earthlaws.org.au
To keep in touch about AELA's "Eco-Imaginarium" series, visit: www.earthlaws.org.au/ecoimaginarium
Email us anytime: aela@earthlaws.org.au

ABOUT REGEN SYDNEY

Founded in 2021 in the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires, Regen Sydney convenes systemic collaboration for an ecologically safe and socially just Sydney. We bring together an 800+ strong network of individuals and organisations from across civil society, government, academia, and First Nations partners by using Doughnut Economics as a compass for city- and bioregional- scale change. Our current program streams span Civic Neighbourhoods, Food Futures, Living Waters, and Enabling Conditions, turning ambitious, evidence-based demonstrator projects into pathways for a truly regenerative city.

For more information about Regen Sydney, visit our website: https://www.regen.sydney/

ABOUT THE UTS TRANSDISCIPLINARY SCHOOL (TDS)

At TDS, we believe the world's most important challenges cannot be solved by any one discipline alone. We bring together and foster diverse minds, perspectives, and expertise to imagine new possibilities and create pathways to a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future. Through pioneering education, impactful research and deep collaboration with industry, government and communities, we equip people to navigate complexity, embrace uncertainty, and turn bold ideas into real-world change. Together, we're building the capabilities, partnerships and conditions for flourishing futures.

For more information, visit our website: Transdisciplinary School
Email us anytime: tdresearch@uts.edu.au

Contact the host of Eco-Imaginarium: Sydney Pop-Up Event! Exploring ecocentric life, culture and governance