From the creation accounts, the Garden of Eden typified the ideals of conservation and observance of man’s fundamental rights. On this premise therefore, the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) is programmed to defend those inalienable rights. As a platform for the conservation of the environment and protection of rights for the benefit of humanity, the EDEN will derive her mandate from both local, national, regional and global norms, ethics, treaties, conventions, policies and laws that observes and protects the environment and rights of humans and nature.
The EDEN draws inspiration from the martyrs and heroes of the struggles for environmental justice and human rights both living and dead, whose struggles must not be in vain.
The above forms the core philosophy and pillars upon which the EDEN is anchored. The unmitigated pollution of the environment and the struggles of activists to stop the practice demonstrates the urgent need to continue protecting the environment, her defenders and inhabitants and as such EDEN’s strive to achieve these is founded on
Four key principles:
- Building Community Power: EDEN will leverage community power especially women and youths to drive change by mobilizing communities while also amplifying their voices to demand accountability from polluters and their enablers at policy-making levels. EDEN will promote safe spaces for open dialogue to enable communities to collectively identify the root causes of environmental challenges they face and how to organize for action. EDEN will strive for communities to have access to scientific data to enhance their advocacy and leadership skills. With this, communities would be empowered to resist harmful environmental conditions and influence policies and decisions that impact their fundamental human rights.
- Influence Government Policies: EDEN will build enough collective power to influence government policies and regulations that affect their environment and human rights. EDEN will play a vital role in ensuring policy changes are driven by and are accountable to the people. This EDEN will do so through community organizing, social action campaigns, and provision of legal and technical assistance to vulnerable communities. Through these approaches we hope to achieve policy wins that advance environmental justice and equitable reform. However, continuous pressure is needed as not all victories equally build long-term power for further
change. - A Platform for Amplifying Community Voices and Engagement: EDEN recognizes the role of the media in acting as a society watchdog. The media is key to raising awareness, countering misinformation, and amplifying marginalized voices on the environment and issues bothering on human rights. EDEN will inspire media programs that would offer communities a platform to share their concerns and vision for the future they want. EDEN will further use the media as the vehicle to expose all forms of environmental injustices.
- Linking Local Struggles to International Actions: While EDEN’s actions are rooted in local realities, it will continue to strengthen community environmental justice efforts by linking them to international movements advocating for a healthy planet for all. EDEN will strive to attract broader support and sustain long-term goals for systemic change.
Purpose:
The purpose of the EDEN is to protect and defend the Earth by mobilizing communities, influencing policies, and linking local environmental struggles to global actions, with the ultimate goal of achieving environmental justice and rights defense.
Vision:
EDEN envisions a world where communities live in harmony with nature, free from environmental
degradation and injustices, and where all people have the power and resources to defend their rights
against any form of abuse.
Mission:
EDEN’s mission is to empower communities and local people to defend and protect their environment and rights by leveraging collective power, influencing governmental policies, promoting safe media spaces, and linking local struggles to global movements.
Theory of Change:
-EDEN believes that by building community power, fostering informed and engaged communities, and linking local struggles to broader international movements, lasting and equitable environmental change can be achieved. This change is driven through:
– Mobilizing and empowering communities with knowledge and resources.
– Influencing and holding governments accountable for environmental policies.
– Holding to account all environmental destructive agents.
– Utilizing media to raise awareness and amplifying marginalized voices.
– Connecting local initiatives to global environmental justice efforts.
Core Values:
- Community Empowerment: We believe in the power of communities especially women and youths to drive change and prioritize their involvement in all our initiatives.
- Environmental Justice: We are committed to fighting against environmental injustices and ensuring equitable access to a healthy environment for all.
- Accountability: We hold ourselves, governments, and polluters accountable for actions that impact the environment and communities.
- Collaboration: We value partnerships and collaboration with local, national, and international stakeholders to strengthen our impact.
- Rights defense: We believe that all forms of rights are to be respected and protected and where violated, the right to seek redress should not be mitigated by reason of social, ethnic, racial, economic or any vulnerable status.
- Integrity: We conduct our work with transparency, honesty, and respect for all individuals and communities we serve.
- Sustainability: We are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices that ensure the health and longevity of our planet for future generations.
- Litigation: We believe litigation is the highest form of advocacy and should be deployed where all other forms of mitigation or redress fails.
Thematic Areas:
1.0 Climate and Energy Justice: EDEN’s approach to Climate, Environment, and Energy Justice is rooted
in the belief that all communities deserve equitable access to clean air, water, and energy. This thematic
area addresses the disproportionate environmental burdens borne by marginalized and vulnerable populations, particularly in Africa. EDEN recognizes that climate change and environmental degradation are not only ecological issues but also social justice concerns. The philosophy here emphasizes the interconnectedness of environment and human rights.
Key Principles
• Equitable Access: Ensuring that all communities, especially the marginalized, have access to clean and renewable energy sources.
• Resilience Building: Empowering communities to adapt to climate change impacts through education, resources, and sustainable practices.
• Justice and Fairness: Advocating for policies that address historical injustices and prevent future environmental harm to vulnerable communities.
• Energy Democracy: Communities should be bestowed with the rights to decide the forms of energy that serves their needs and how to manage such.
Actions
• Community Trainings: Educating communities on sustainable practices and climate resilience.
• Policy Advocacy: Pushing for inclusive policies that protect vulnerable populations from environmental harm.
• Resource Mobilization: Facilitating access to clean energy solutions and sustainable resources.
2.0 Civic Engagement and Litigation: The Civic Engagement and Litigation Initiative reflects EDEN’s belief in the power of informed, active citizenry to drive systemic change. This thematic area focuses on empowering communities to participate in environmental governance and use legal tools to hold polluters and policymakers accountable. It is based on the principle that legal empowerment and civic participation are critical to achieving environmental justice.
Key Principles:
• Legal Empowerment: Providing communities with the knowledge and tools to understand and use legal mechanisms for environmental protection.
• Civic Participation: Encouraging active involvement of communities in decision-making processes that affect their environment.
• Accountability: Ensuring that governments and corporations are held accountable for their environmental impact.
Actions:
• Legal Trainings: Offering workshops and resources on environmental laws and litigation strategies.
• Advocacy Campaigns: Organizing campaigns to influence policy and regulatory changes.
• Legal Support: Providing technical assistance and representation to communities facing environmental injustices.
3.0 Corporate Integrity Monitoring: Corporate Integrity Monitoring is founded on the conviction that corporate entities must operate transparently and ethically, particularly regarding their environmental impact. This thematic area aims to ensure that corporations adhere to environmental laws and regulations and that their operations do not harm communities or ecosystems. EDEN believes that corporate accountability is essential for sustainable development and environmental justice.
Key Principles
• Transparency: Promoting open and honest reporting of corporate environmental practices.
• Ethical Practices: Encouraging corporations to adopt and maintain high ethical standards in their operations.
• Responsibility: Holding corporations accountable for their environmental footprints and ensuring they remediate any harm caused.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Conducting regular assessments and public reporting on corporate environmental practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating dialogue between corporations, communities, and policymakers to address environmental concerns.
• Advocacy and Pressure: Using public campaigns and legal actions to pressure corporations into improving their environmental practices.
4.0 Media and Public Awareness: EDEN believes in the power of the media for dissemination of information and public awareness creation geared towards citizens’ mobilization for action in defense of their rights and their environment including livelihoods protection.
Key Principles:
• Transparent Monitoring and Reporting: The media’s role as the fourth estate of the realm can only be realized where the media is empowered and equipped to be able to access the resources and able to communicate accurate and unbiased information.
• Training and capacity building: A well equipped media can source independent information through investigative journalism for empowering communities and advocates with hidden information that can assist in the defense of rights and the environment.
Actions
• Deployment of various media platforms including the use of traditional, social media platforms for dissemination of information.
• Offering media training and exchange opportunities for the purposes of specialization and focus of areas of interest.
Publications
EDEN will publish on specified basis the following:
Community Voices: Community Voices will house EDEN’s special field reports, providing in-depth coverage and insights directly from the field. These reports will showcase the voices and experiences of the communities we work with, highlighting local perspectives and solutions.
The Climate Lens: The Climate Lens will feature our quarterly publications on special environmental and climate-related issues. This section will include detailed analyses, research findings, and policy briefs, aimed at informing and influencing policy and practice.
EDEN’s NewsAlarm: EDEN’s NewsAlarm will house our weekly or monthly news bulletin, keeping our community updated with the latest developments, events, and updates in the environmental and climate sectors.
