The
Conference on the Rights of Nature and the Future of Democracy in the Nordic Region
4th-6th of June, 2026
Himmelbjerggården, Ry, Denmark
creates a space where people working with and for nature can meet to create a new path for our juridical and cultural understanding of the animate world. We want to inspire a new democratic culture in which nature is no longer seen as a mere resource but as co-creator of society.
The invitation
Our democracies have failed to safeguard their most fundamental constituents: the multitude of species that create and sustain our natural environment. Across the Nordic region our oceans, rivers, lands and forests are suffering under the weight of human exploitation.
This conference seeks to open up a necessary space for learning and for new thinking and doing where academia, art, politics, activism and the animate world can build alliances that help protect and nurture the animate Earth.
What to expect?
The gathering takes place in the unique and nature-based setting of Himmelbjerggården, located on the edge of a state forest in the Lake District, Søhøjlandet. It will be a blend of folk high school and nature camp vibes with self-organization and participation at its heart.
The days together will be filled with conversations, inspirations, workshops, shared ritual and time for building network and alliances. We have prepared the space and a programme but we want your help with growing the fruits of this meeting. Together we will plant and nourish the seeds for a democracy of species!
Want to know more about why we have called this gathering?
The Rights of Nature movement has been described as “the fastest growing legal movement of the 21st century” and it is making a very real difference for the ecosystems, habitats and species that recieve status as subjects to the law.
Working for the Rights of Nature is both about creating changes to the legal system and creating the cultural changes that are needed to shift our view of nature. We have been slow to follow the lead in the Nordic countries and we want to help catalyze alliances that will make this happen.
Still got questions?
If you’d like to know more about the conference or have other questions, get in touch. The conference is organized by EarthWays, an independent association working for the regeneration of nature and it builds on our experience with hosting Nature’s Constitutional Assembly the last four years. The conference is supported by Folkesparekassens Fond, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ funding program Demos and Himmelbjerggården.
This event is organised by:
and made possible by: