From the Atrato to the Clyde: what does it mean for a river to have rights?
People in Glasgow and beyond have called for the Clyde to be granted legal personhood, as a way of reclaiming the river for its communities and reversing its decline. In Chocó, Colombia, riverine communities won their fight for legal recognition of the rights of the Atrato River in 2017.
Date: Wednesday 14 May 2025
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Venue: University Memorial Chapel
Category: Exhibitions, Public lectures, Academic events
The Colombian Constitutional Court ruled that the state must protect and restore the river, following years of socio-environmental devastation caused by conflict-linked illegal gold mining. The court ruling created a body of river guardians to speak on behalf of the Atrato and local communities. Join us for an evening of conversation, poetry and art, as we explore the rights of nature with two of the river guardians.
The event will centre around an interactive conversation with the Guardians, their legal advisors Siembra and Prof Louise Welsh of the Who Owns the Clyde? podcast, chaired by Prof Mo Hume of the University of Glasgow. We will listen to poetry inspired by the Atrato and the Clyde rivers, and the space will also include an exhibition of portraits of the river guardians by Glasgow-based artist, Jan Nimmo. The event will be followed by a drinks reception with our Colombian guests. Translation from Spanish to English will be provided for the audience.