Equal Rights, Access and Opportunities SVG Inc. (ERAO SVG) and Climate Rights & Justice International Inc. were pleased to host their inaugural “Climate Justice Symposium: Rising Above the Hurricane and Volcanic Eruption” on Saturday, 15th August 2026 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at UWI Global Campus, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
This Symposium brought together over 40 persons from the government, legal profession, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), environmental experts, activists, and other interested persons from the general public to learn about and discuss the intersection between human rights, climate change, and the environment with a particular focus on: (1) The tragic events of the La Soufrière Volcanic Eruption in 2021, Hurricane Beryl in 2024, and; (2) How climate change and/or other adverse environmental phenomena impact vulnerable populations in SVG.
The event, which was praised by attendees, started off with opening remarks from representatives from the organizers. Makini Barrow, Director and co-founder of ERAO SVG, gave remarks on behalf of the same, and Stacey Alvarez de la Campa, Founder and President of Climate Rights & Justice International Inc. gave remarks on behalf of the same. Founder of and Executive Officer of ERAO SVG, Jeshua Bardoo, then gave attendees a brief overview of the agenda for the event and laid down some rules in relation to the day’s proceedings.
Throughout the event, attendees were treated to a number of intellectually stimulating and informative presentations and panel discussions. The morning proceedings laid the theoretical foundation for the day, with Stacey Alvarez de la Campa giving a presentation on the intersection between human rights and climate change. She defined key concepts surrounding human rights and climate change, gave an overview of important legal developments surrounding climate change and environmental justice, and elaborated on how climate change and other adverse phenomena intersect with human rights.
Next, we had Parliamentary Counsel III from the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Justice et al., Shernell Hadaway, sharing her experience as Counsel on SVG’s delegation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in relation to the historic ICJ Advisory Opinion on the obligations of States with respect to climate change during a fireside Chat moderated by Stacey Alvareze de la Campa.
In the afternoon, after eating a delicious lunch prepared by Mona’s Cuisine, the Symposium focused on the impact of natural disasters on SVG. Jason Browne, representing the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), did a presentation on the work of NEMO and how various natural disasters impact Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Then we had a panel discussion moderated by Stacey Alvarez de la Campa on the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable populations in SVG.
For this panel discussion, the panels represented various populations in SVG. We had Jeanie Ollivierre from Marion House representing women and girls, Terrence Davis from the National Society of Persons with Disabilities representing persons with physical disabilities, Winfield Tannis-Abbott from CARESVG representing persons living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ population, Trevor Oswald Robinson representing children and youth, Dr. Ellica Matthews representing persons with mental health conditions. And to end off the Symposium, we had a presentation from Kurt Dougan from the Sustainable Development Unit in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development on SVG’s National Adaptation Plan and how it supports vulnerable populations in SVG.
Commenting on the event Jeshua Bardoo, Founder of ERAO SVG stated, “This symposium, which was being planned for several months, was an astounding success. There is an important intersection between human rights and the environment that needs to be explored more in SVG. Especially important is how climate change and other adverse environmental phenomena affect the most vulnerable populations in SVG. As we develop strategies and solutions to tackle these issues, we must not leave anyone behind. Everyone must have a seat at the table and we need to take an intersectional, intersectoral and interdependent approach to this issue. I would like to thank everyone who made this event a success and thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend.”
Stacey Alvarez de la Campa from Climate Rights & Justice International Inc. also stated, “This inaugural symposium marks the beginning of what must become a fundamental conversation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It was both inspiring and humbling to see such a wide and inclusive cross-section of people who made an effort to attend, and this level of interest is a powerful reminder of how collective voices can resonate to spark meaningful change.
Thanks so much to the dedicated government representatives who provided crucial, strategic insights, and thanks also to members of civil society organisations who shared their lived experiences through the tragedies of the volcanic eruption, as well as Hurricane Beryl. It is now that the real work must continue, and build on the action points raised during the many insightful discussions so that we can shape an equitable future for all Vincentians as we face the climate crisis together. It is this unity that will shape intergenerational resilience as we stand together on the front lines of climate change.”
ERAO SVG and Climate Rights & Justice International Inc. thank its generous funder, Lawyers Without Borders Canada, for their support for this event. We also thank Gaymes Bookstore proprietor Dennis Gaymes for donating some books to ERAO SVG at the Symposium.
