Public Interest Environmental Law Conference

Following the E-LAW annual meeting, E-LAW advocates attended the 19th annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at the University of Oregon. This premier environmental law conference brought together activists, academics, lawyers, scientists and students for workshops, panels and inspiring keynote speeches. E-LAW advocates took part in a wide variety of panels. Keynote addresses were given by Palo Zilincik, Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Public Advocacy in Slovakia, and Lottie Cunningham Wren, Legal Field Officer for the International Human Rights Law Group in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.

Lottie Cunningham, Nicaragua

"What, if anything, do you hear of the other coast of Nicaragua, the Atlantic coast? Eighty percent of the people there live in extreme poverty."
- Lottie Cunningham Wren
International Human Rights Law Group, Nicaragua

Lottie is a Miskito Indian lawyer, working to protect the rights of indigenous communities living along Nicaragua`s Atlantic coast. Lottie began working with E-LAW last year.

"First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win!"
- Palo Zilincik, quoting Gandhi
Center for Environmental Public Advocacy, Slovakia

Palo works to educate communities and policymakers in Slovakia about environmental issues. He has helped more citizens participate in environmental decisionmaking and advanced the right of non-governmental organizations to defend the public interest in environmental cases. Palo has worked with E-LAW since 1994.