March 5, 2020

Law student attends UN convention on climate change

LLB student Tahlia Rodrigues participated in the 2019 Songdo Model Conference of the Parties (SMCOP) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November in Incheon, Korea.

The trip was funded by Development of International Law in Asia – Korea (DILA-Korea). The opportunity came about through Professor Warwick Gullett’s research collaborator, Professor Seokwoo Lee at Inha Law School. Tahlia was selected to travel to Korea following a competitive process, based on her excellence in the subject Environmental Law (taught by Dr Sarah Wright) and shortlisting in Seoul following her submission of a draft presentation and audio-visual material. In Tahlia’s words:

Thanks to the University of Wollongong School of Law, in November last year I was given the opportunity to attend the 2019 Songdo Model Conference of the Parties for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in South Korea. Along with other international students under the theme ‘Execution is Everything,’ my role was to educate the community of Incheon on how Australia is responding to climate change and the devastating effects it’s having on our environment and people. In light of the recent drought and extreme bushfires that continue to bring tragedy and loss to Australia, the discussions and ideas shared by students embodied urgency, passion and the immense potential of the world’s youth to participate in solving global issues. The conference was incredibly informative, humbling and importantly, shed needed light on the vital work Australia must do as a leading developed nation. – Tahlia Rodrigues.

Congratulations Tahlia!