XI Rome International Workshop 2026
The 11th edition of the RIW focuses on environmental justice as a paradigm for rights, participationand responsibility. Under the title “Environmental Justice in the 21 Century: Responsibilityand Participation” the event offers a multidisciplinary platform for dialogue, reflection, andknowledge exchange on the prospects for environmental justice in international cooperation thatwould enable the most vulnerable communities to exercise self-determination and ensure a fairdistribution of environmental benefits and responsibilities.
The climate crises, increasing pressure on natural resources and the race for raw materials are exacerbating environmental, social and economic inequalities. Even the green transition, if not carefully managed, risks shifting new costs onto those living in the most vulnerable areas. In this context, environmental justice stems from the need to redistribute fairly the costs and responsibilities arising from environmental degradation, which are often borne by the most fragile communities.
The workshop brings together experts, scholars, institutions, and civil society representatives to explore the intricacies of environmental justice, from its origins to recent development, highlighting emerging risks and opportunities in international cooperation. The event aims to showcases promising practical tools and collaborative approaches that provide fertile ground for environmental justice to
prevail.
You can download HERE the program.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/H7fMQz02Qh-vXOKTB-4zKg
After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email with the information you need to join the meeting.
Session 1 – Environmental Justice: Origins, Challenges, and Developments 3:00 pm
Introduction - by Gabriella PETRINA (VIS School for Higher Education) and Massimo ZORTEA (University of Trento)
Meanings and Origins of Environmental Justice: A Global Journey Through Rights, Territories, and Mobilizations
Francesca ROSIGNOLI (Institute for Minority Rights and Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research)
Challenges and perspectives for climate-related international cooperation
Representative of Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales (CLACSO)
Moderator: Pierluigi VURCHIO
Rapporteuse: Giulia CERA
Session 2 – Environmental Justice and Climate Justice: International Law and Participatory Tools 4:00 pm
Environmental Justice and International Law
Leonardo David VILLAFUERTE PHILIPPSBORN (Institute for Democracy, Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Políticas - Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo" )
Climate Education and Engagement
Roberto CAVALLO (Associazione Internazionale per la Comunicazione Ambientale)
Moderator: Giulia BRANDIMARTE
Rapporteur: Pierluigi VURCHIO
Session 3 – Applications of Environmental Justice in International and National Contexts 5:00 pm
Collective Experiences and Reflections on Environmental Justice at the National Level
Alexandra MONTEIRO (Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar - CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro)
Environmental Justice and New Extractivism: Energy Transition, Critical Raw Materials and Safe-Haven Assets
Francesco RICCIARDI (Asian Development Bank) and
Marco MILLONES (Geography Department University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA)
Moderator: Giulia CERA
Rapporteuse: Margherita MONTI
Session 4 – Environmental Justice and Local Governance 6:00 pm
The Environmental Impact of Armed Conflicts: the Case of Contaminated Soil in Southern Lebanon
Ghassan MAKAREM (Agri Mouvement) and Talal DARWISH (CNRS, Lebanon)
Participatory Governance for Land Protection: the Case of Cascina Carpaneda
Representative of Comunità Vicentina per l’Agroecologia
Moderator: Margherita MONTI
Rapporteuse: Giulia BRANDIMARTE
Main findings and closing remarks with the rapporteurs 7:00 pm
Lessons learnt for VIS mission with Michela VALLARINO (VIS, President)
Closing remarks with Massimo ZORTEA (University of Trento, course instructor)
A certificate of participation is available upon request.
Hi,
You've been invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: June 30, 2026, 3:00 PM, Rome
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/H7fMQz02Qh-vXOKTB-4zKg
After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email with the information you need to join the meeting.
