2nd Annual Colloquium on Animal Welfare, Human Rights, Rights of Nature, and Human-Wildlife Coexistence.

Events

Colloquium: on Animal Welfare, Human Rights, Rights of Nature, and Human-Wildlife Coexistence

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08:00 EST
Old Senate Hall, Building F4 (G22)

Potchefstroom
South Africa

The 2nd Annual Colloquium on Animal Welfare, Human Rights, Rights of Nature, and Human-Wildlife Coexistence brings together experts to discuss several issues in biodiversity, animal welfare, and conservation. The event will explore legal, philosophical, and practical perspectives, fostering dialogue on how to balance human and wildlife rights for sustainable coexistence.

Don't miss out. We still have a few spots left for this exciting event. Special rate for students: R500, and regular registration: R1500.

Register now

Agenda

Below is the program schedule featuring research presentations, discussions, and interactive panels on animal welfare and human-wildlife coexistence.

Thursday 19 September

08h00

Registration, coffee, and tea

08h30 Opening and welcome – Prof Michelle Barnard (NWU)

Setting the scene

08h45

International (Wild) Animal Rights and Biodiversity: Resolving Conflicts between Holism and Individualism

Prof Werner Scholtz (University of Southampton)

09h10

Is avoiding death a conservationist’s job?-Prof Sam Ferreira (SANParks, NWU)

09h35

Complexities in the legislative landscape: balancing different values and rights-Ms Magdel Boshoff (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment)

09h55-11h30

Tea/coffee and facilitated Q&A

Philosophical discussions on welfare, well-being, conservation, and nature

11h35 Considering South Africa’s National Biodiversity Economy Strategy through the lens of Wenz’s 1986 “Conservatism and Conservation”-Prof Reece Alberts et al (NWU)
12h00

Unlikely Bedfellows: The Role of Philosophy in Modernising and Innovating Conservation in South Africa

-Dr Yolandi Coetser (NWU)

12h25 Legal Personality: Law’s Challenge in the 21st Century-Dr Nico Buitendag (NWU)
12h45 Facilitated Q&A
13h15 Lunch
14h20 Balancing policy, science and values for an effective regulatory framework: Is it getting easier or harder to be effective?-Dr Jeanetta Selier (SANBI, NWU)
14h45 Balancing the Biodiversity Economy with Farmer Rights and Animal Welfare During Animal Disease Outbreaks and Governmental Responsibilities-Ms Marelise Powell (VSF Attorneys) 
15h10 Legal instruments causing what they are set in place to cure – a consequence for the welfare and wellbeing of African elephant-Dr Andrew Blackmore (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, NWU)
15h30 Tea/coffee and Facilitated Q&A
18h00 Closure,Colloquium Dinner-Vistas Restaurant

Friday 20 September- Trade, conservation, and rights

08h00 Tea/coffee
08h30 The CITES exemptions and the NEMBA regulations: Implications for the lawful trade in Rhino horn Prof Hennie Strydom (Research Professor SARChl International Law, UJ)
08h55 Animal Welfare, Animal Well Being, Rights of Nature and Human Rights in a Geo-Constitutional Legal Order Prof Han Somsen (University of Tilburg)
09h20 Nature, conservation, property, and rights: A pragmatist perspective Mr Michael t’ Sas-Rolfes (SUN, Oxford)
09h40 Facilitated Q&A 
10h10 Tea/coffee

Welfare and the judiciary

10h45  To protect the vulnerable through effective prosecution for animal cruelty Adv Kashmitha Gayadin
10h55 Animal Welfare in South Africa Ms Grace de Lange (Chief Operating Officer, NSPCA)
11h15 Facilitated Q&A 
11h45 Closure and lunch on the go