ABOUT
Two Oregon grassroots environmental and racial justice organizations, Beyond Toxics and the NAACP Eugene-Springfield, are planning the first Oregon Environmental Justice Pathways Summit Taking place April 17th -18th, 2020. Leaders and representatives from frontline communities will join with scholars, students, policymakers, institutions, and NGOs to hold critical conversations around Oregon’s leadership on policies and investments capable of addressing environmental justice concerns across our state. The summit will host renowned national and state speakers, and create space for interactive discussions, workshops and organizational meetings with the goal of creating a collaborative network and policy guidelines dedicated to Environmental Justice in the state of Oregon.
Framing the Oregon Environmental Justice Pathways Summit – 2020:
What are unique and location-relevant solutions for distinct Oregon communities emerging from those striving for Environmental Justice that can reshape the political-economic structure behind injustices in Oregon? How and at what scale should we confront challenges specific to:
○ Just Transition and Resilient Communities
○ Tribal Water Justice
○ Climate Change
○ Right to Clean Air and a Healthy Workplace
○ Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Science and Data when crafting policy
JOIN US
Where: University of Oregon, Gerlinger and Straub Halls.
When: April 17th-18th, 2020
Who: Frontline Communities, Oregon Tribes, Decision Makers, Students, Scholars.
SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE
A renowned thought leader, international speaker, policy maker, community liaison, trainer, and facilitator, Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali wears many hats, he is the Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate & Community Revitalization for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and also the Founder & CEO of Revitalization Strategies. Before joining the NWF Mustafa was the Senior Vice President for the Hip Hop Caucus, a national, non-profit and non-partisan organization that connects the Hip Hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change.
As HHC Senior Vice President, he led the strategic direction, expansion, and operation of the Hip Hop Caucus’ portfolio on Climate, Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization. Prior to joining the Hip Hop Caucus, Mustafa worked 24 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He began working on Social Justice issues at the age of 16 and joined the EPA as a student, becoming a founding member of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). He most recently served as Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and Assistant Associate Administrator working to elevate environmental justice issues and strengthening environmental justice policies, programs, and initiatives. Mustafa worked for EPA Administrators beginning with William Riley and ending with Scott Pruitt. Throughout his career, Mustafa has conducted more than 1,000 presentations across the country, including speeches, guest lectures, and training.
He has also worked with more than 500 domestic and international communities to secure environmental, health and economic justice. Mustafa uses a holistic approach to revitalizing vulnerable communities helping them to move from Surviving to Thriving. Frequently seen on TV, including MSNBC, CNN, VICE, BET, Samantha Bee and Democracy NOW. Featured and/or cited in over 250 news publications to date, including GQ, New Republic, Ebony, Bustle, The Guardian, The Root, Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. Guest lecturer at over 100 colleges and universities, including Howard, Harvard, Yale, Berkley, Duke, George Washington, Georgetown, Spelman. Former instructor at West Virginia University, and Stanford University.Mustafa currently serves a board member on Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Union of Concerned Scientist, TREE, Rodenberry Foundation and Climate Hawks Vote. Current co-host of the live radio show and podcast, Think 100% “The Coolest Show On Climate Change” with Grammy Nominated Singer and Actress Antonique Smith & Civil Rights Icon, Rev Lennox Yearwood.
Mustafa Santiago Ali
Jo Ann Hardesty
Adrienne Hollis
Reyna Lopez
Gwendolyn TRICE
Tony DeFalco
SCHEDULE
Participants will have the opportunity to check-in, receive summit materials and get settled for the activities of the day.
In this grounding plenary, experts in Oregon’s social past frame how that past impacts the environmental policy we now confront in our state.
As we transition into the next session. We will take some time to explore the artistic expression of youth as they showcase their interpretation of Environmental and Climate Justice
Learn about what frontline communities are experiencing in regards to air pollution and how they are working to improve their work conditions
View Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center’s “Timber Culture” travelling exhibit.
Need a break from all other Summit activities? Stop by to network with other participants, speakers and decision-makers. Speakers’ books will be for sale.
Learn about the role that Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) plays in policy-making plays on tribal lands and how other governments can learn and integrate TEK into their own practices.
Learn how science and data have the capacity to fill the gaps often felt by frontline communities in Environmental Justice policy.
Learn how the principles of Environmental Justice and meaningfully be embedded into all models of public policy. From Urban planning to Management of State Lands.
Enjoy dinner while networking with other participants, speakers and decision-makers. Books from summit speakers will be on sale.
Learn about how the National Environmental Justice movements influence the local movements and vice-versa. Learn about what organizing looks like from a scholars, politician, and non-profits perspective.
For those checking in on day two. See tables outside Gerlinger 220
Learn what Oregon Tribes are doing to advance environmental justice in the time of climate change and poor practices from federal to local governments.
Learn what commitments we needed from Oregon decision-makers in order to start moving towards a just transition and creating environmental and climate thriving and resilient communities
Eat, and enjoy the exhibition of the top youth artisits invited to the summit. Hear from Key Summit organizers and sponsors
Learn from one of the leading organizer in the nation about Environmental Justice
SPONSORS
bRONZE sUSTAINER
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ADVOCATES
University of Oregon Geography Department
University of Oregon History Department
University of Oregon Indigenous, Race and Ethnic Studies Department
Institute for Natural Resources at OSU and PSU
We The People-Eugene
University of Oregon Environmental Studies Department
University of Oregon Sociology Department
University of Oregon English Department
Institute for Water and Watersheds at OSU