For the Earth and All Generations 
Women's Earth & Climate Action Network Newsletter 
October 24, 2017 
Dear Friends And Allies, 
With every passing day - the impacts of the climate crisis and intertwined social injustices become more acute - from fires, floods and hurricanes; to accelerating biodiversity loss, and cultural and rights violations. However, as the oceans and temperatures rise, so do the women of the world. 

With your support, and the solidarity and partnership of many global allies - the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network continues to deepen our response to these critical issues - as we engage and take action in the streets; online with our global community; in the corporate, financial and political halls we seek to transform; and everyday in the hearts and on the lands of our communities. 

Explore and share our WECAN International October 2017 newsletter for exciting announcements about the 'Women Speak' story-telling database launch; WECAN events at the UNFCCC COP23 in Germany; the recent Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation to Europe; ongoing divestment efforts, and more!

WSFinalLAUNCHING November 1 - 
In the face of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, the displacement of millions around the world, and the devastating impacts of environmental degradation on the Earth and our diverse communities - the most pressing story that needs to be heard is that of women on the frontlines of climate change.

On November 1st, WECAN International will launch, ' Women Speak: Stories, Case Studies And Solutions From The Frontlines Of Climate Change' - a web-based research database and in itiative designed to shift the narrative and challenge dominant systems of exploitation and oppression of women and the Earth, as we collect and share stories by and about women leading struggles and solutions for climate justice under a variety of cross-sectional themes.

Please join us in sharing news of this exciting initiative as we look towards the launch!

Allies on social media can join us on the launch event page here.

If your group or organization is interested in learning more and supporting this initiative - please contact us here.
Join WECAN At UNFCCC COP23 Events
In Bonn, Germany - November 2017COPevents
With our global allies - this November 6 through 17, 2017, the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network will take action and advocate on the ground in Bonn, Germany during the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP23 Climate Talks.

Please explore our WECAN schedule of events below. Information is also available on the WECAN COP23 webpage - and via Facebook events.
November 13th - PUBLIC EVENT - Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - Bonn

Join WECAN on November 13th, 2017 for 'Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - Bonn', an extraordinary gathering with worldwide women leaders joined in solidarity to speak out against environmental and social injustice, draw attention to root causes of the climate crisis, and present the diverse array of visions and strategies with which they are working to shape a healthy and equitable world. Included in the discussion will be vital topics such as the intersectionality of gender and environment; Indigenous rights; carbon sequestration in soils; protection of Earth and water defenders; and women's leadership and calls for action within a climate justice framework. 

Policy-makers and international advocates will speak alongside grassroots, Indigenous and frontline women leaders from around the world. During the event, WECAN will also share our exciting new project, ' Women Speak: Stories, Case Studies and Solutions from the Frontlines of Climate Change'.

WHEN : November 13th, 2017 from 13:00 - 18:00
WHERE:  Ameron Hotel Königshof (Adenauerallee 9, 53111 Bonn, Germany)
HOW:  This event is free and open to the public, NO accredidation required.

FEATURING: 
  • H.E. President Hilda Heine - President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
  • Noelene Nabulivou - DIVA for Equality; Pacific Partnerships on Gender, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Fiji (PPGCCSD); Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), Fiji
  • Ruth Nyambura - African Eco-Feminists Collective; Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Kenya
  • Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner - Climate Change Activist and Poet, Marshall Islands
  • Thilmeeza Hussain - Former Deputy Ambassador to the UN from the Maldives; Climate Wise Women; Voice of Women; WECAN COP23 Delegation, Maldives
  • Jacqueline Patterson - Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Environmental and Climate Justice Program, USA
  • Sônia Guajajara - Guajajara/Tentehar Indigenous leader; National Coordinator of Brazil's Association of Indigenous Peoples, Brazil
  • Patricia Gualinga - Indigenous Kichwa leader from the Pueblo of Sarayaku; WECAN COP23Delegation, Ecuador
  • Gloria Ushigua - Indigenous leader and President of the Association of Sapara Women, Ecuador
  • Nina Gualinga - Youth leader from the Pueblo of Sarayaku; WECAN COP23 Delegation, Ecuador
  • Natalie Isaacs - Founder of One Million Women, Australia
  • Shannon Biggs - Co-Founder and Director of Movement Rights, United States
  • Precious Phiri - Representative of Regeneration International; EarthWisdom, Zimbabwe 
  • Dorothee Häussermann - Representative of the Ende Gelende Movement, Germany 
  • Monica Atkins - Cooperation Jackson; Just Transition Organizer for the Climate Justice Alliance, United States
  • Varshini Prakash - Representative of SustainUS, United States
  • Osprey Orielle Lake - Founder/Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network, United States
  • Honorable Mary Robinson (** to be confirmed) - President of the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice, former President of Ireland
  • Representative of Women in Europe for a Common Future**
  • Representative of the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency 
November 15 - COP23 SIDE EVENT-  Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change

During WECAN's formal COP23 side event, we will hear from grassroots and Indigenous women leaders addressing climate solutions from a climate justice framework, including forest and biodiversity protection, just transition to 100% renewable energy, agro-ecology implementation, fossil fuel resistance, and rights of nature. Speaker list, to be announced!

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 11:30-13:00 
BONN Zone Meeting Room 12 (150), room subject to change

November 15 - COP23 PRESS CONFERENCE - Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change

Details and full speaker list, to be announced!
 Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 15:30 - 16:00 
Press Conference Room 2 Theatre | BULA Zone 3

November 7 & 8 - PUBLIC EVENT - International Rights of Nature Tribunal, Bonn

WECAN is also honored to be co-organizing the International Rights of Nature Tribunal, as a member of the Executive Committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. The Tribunal will feature internationally renowned lawyers and leaders for planetary justice, who will hear cases addressing issues such as climate change, fossil fuel extraction, Amazon rainforest destruction, land defenders, and other environmental and human rights violations, and offer judgments and recommendations for the Earth's protection based on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth. To learn more about the International Rights of Nature Tribunal (November 7 and 8) and Rights of Nature Press Conference (November 9) - please see more information available here and here.
The Autumn 2017  Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation To Europedivestdel
Delegates (left to right) Michelle Cook, LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, 
T ara Houska & Jackie Fielder - Photo by: Teena Pugliese
The Autumn 2017 Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation to Europe has returned home after two weeks on the ground in Norway, Switzerland and Germany engaging with political leaders, representatives of financial and insurance institutions, civil society groups, and members of the media to share personal accounts and calls to action for immediate divestment from fossil fuel companies that pollute the water and climate, and endanger rights and neglect Ind igenous People's right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.

In addition to continued advocacy regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline - the women highlighted the growing pipeline resistance by Indigenous peoples and allies to Keystone XL, TransMountain, Line 3 and other pipeline and extraction projects - calling for accountability and international solidarity and action to prevent continued harmful developments.

In partnership with the leadership of Indigenous women and their directives, the Autumn 2017 Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation was organized by WECAN International - and builds upon an initial Spring 2017 delegation.

Explore and share the resources below for more information about this vital work - and continue to check back to WECAN social media for more news and videos as they are released!
In This Newsletter
divestglobe  TAKE ACTION -
 #EquatorBanksAct
& #DivestTheGlobe
WECAN International stands in solidarity and action with the #EquatorBanksAct
initiative - through which almost 90,000 diverse global allies have raised their voice to demand that the Equator Principles Association take immediate action to revise their guidelines - under which 91 prominent banks continue to ignore Indigenous rights, and basic standards of environmental sustainability and the need to address the urgency of climate change. Click here to add your voice to this call.

With the leadership of Mazaska Talks, the #DivestTheGlobe, three days of mass global action are taking place during the Equator Principles Annual Meeting (23-25 October). Learn more and take action today !
Snapshots of women leaders in action during WECAN events during the UNFCCC COP21 and COP22
WECAN is deeply grateful to have been able to work with an incredible artist and leader to bring to life a painting for the ' Women Speak' project.

'Earth's Voice' was painted by Jade Leyva as a depiction of women's deep connection to the Earth, and ceaseless commitment to action to stop extraction and exploitation - and instead nurture a world of diversity, health and solutions for a sustainable world.

Learn more about Jade's inspiring work from her Jade Leyva Art webpage:

"Magical Realism Artist Jade Leyva is a painter, potter, photographer and more who hails from Mexico City and now calls New Mexico home. Combining influences from Magical Realism to Pre-Colombian and postmodern, Jade's work is at times whimsical, celebratory and reflective, yet always thought-provoking and expressive. The central themes of her art - love, unity, and our fragile relationship to Mother Earth - embodies her positive hope for the future of the world."
Conference Recapsoilnotoil
Thank you to all partners and participants who engaged with WECAN during the  Soil Not Oil Coalition Conference in the Bay Area, California in September!

WECAN Executive Director, Osprey Orielle Lake, was honored to join and facilitate various panel discussions with outstanding movement leaders on topics including - reclaiming our democracy: resistance and renewal for social and ecologic justice; mobilizing in this political moment; carbon sequestration in soils; Indigenous rights and life-ways; the #KeepItInTheGround and fossil fuel divestment movements; the critical wisdom of women's leadership; and so much more.
Women educators and advocates of the Kichwa People of Sarayaku, Ecuador lead the opening of the 2015 Paris International Rights of Nature Tribunal - See WECAN COP23 events for more details!
 
Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegates in Germany - Photo by: Teena Pugliese
Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation and allies meet with Norwegian Parliamentarians 
Delegates at a public event in Oslo - Photo by: Charlotte Synnøve/GreenPeace Norway
 
Thank you for your continued support of our work for climate justice and care for the Earth and all generations, 
 
 The Women's Earth and Climate Action Network Team  
 
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