Plenary speakers

 is a Professor of Anthropology at the , Brazil, where she created the Group of Environmental Studies (GESTA) and the undergraduate course in SocioEnvironmental Sciences. Her research interests have been developed under a Political Ecology perspective with themes like Socio-Environmental Conflicts and the effects of Large Projects such as Mining, Hydroelectric Dams as well as Disasters. She has been an active member of several scientific associations, such as the and the , where she also coordinates the Committee on Traditional Peoples, Environment and Large Projects. She is a (National Council of Development and Technology) researcher and advisor to the Brazilian Anthropology Association presidency on environmental issues. Zhouri has published articles and books about mining, large dams, environmental conflicts and deregulation in Brazil. Some of her latest works available in English include: Vibrant Issue, V. 14,n. 2, 2017 and Laschefski & Zhouri In: Puzone, V. & Miguel, Luis Felipe (eds). The Brazilian Left in the 21st Century. Palgrave MacMillan, 2019.

Andréa Zhouri gives her plenary talk titled "Liberal environmentalism and anti-environmentalism in Brazil: from slow to raw violence" on Monday, Oc­to­ber 25, 2021 at 14:00-15:15 (time zone UTC+3).

 is a Professor of International Development at and a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow. She heads SIS’s International Development Program’s unique curricular offerings on rethinking globalization and development and on environment and development with a focus on social, environmental, and economic accountability. She has a wide range of professional experiences – from international economist in the US Treasury Department and US Congress to work with civil-society organizations in the Philippines and El Salvador.

was Director of the from 1999-2021, and is now a Senior Advisor at IPS. He directed IPS’ Global Economy Program from 1983-1997. Cavanagh is the co-author of 12 books and numerous articles on a wide range of social and economic issues. Cavanagh sits on the boards of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, the International Forum on Globalization, the , the , and is board chair of the Fund for Constitutional Government. He is a senior advisor of the .

Togerther Broad and Cavanagh have authored their most recent book called  (2021).

Robin Broad and John Cavanagh give their plenary talk on Monday, Oc­to­ber 25, 2021 at 17:15-18:30 (time zone UTC+3).

is a Professor of Development Studies at the at the University of the Free State (UFS). He is also an honorary professor at the Sustainable Minerals Institute (University of Queensland, Australia). He serves on the editorial board of  and is also the Speciality Chief Co-editor for the Cities in the Global South section of the journal, . 

His research interests include housing policy, small cities and towns (mining and renewable towns and cities: mine-community relations, urban health and mine closure) and public health focusing on children. In addition to concentrating on each of these themes separately, he focuses on integrating them. Marais has authored, co-authored and edited more than 250 publications, including 180 refereed articles in peer-reviewed journals or books. He has also co-edited nine books. He has a specific passion for creating and managing interdisciplinary projects and prefers research focusing on real-world problems.

Lochner Marais gives his plenary talk titled "Place attachment, housing policy and mining in SA: critical perspectives" on Tues­day, Oc­to­ber 26, 2021 at 09:00-10:15 (time zone UTC+3).

As a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, cross-appointed with Osgoode Hall Law School and Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change, York University, Professor has been at the forefront of Indigenous environmental justice and Indigenous research theory and practice. Over the years, she has achieved international recognition through her creative and innovative approach using digital and social media to reach Indigenous communities and the public. Her work has been shared through  and .

The title of McGregor's talk is 'Indigenous climate leadership in Canada: A discussion on Reconciliation, Justice, and nature-based solutions'. Indigenous leadership forms an essential part of achieving climate justice in Canada. Involvement of Indigenous peoples necessitates dialogue on rights, governance, knowledges, justice, legal traditions and coexistence with nature. McGregor's presentation will explore how these themes merge to generate a path forward for nourishing planetary health.

De­borah Mc­Gregor gives her plenary talk on Wed­nes­day, Oc­to­ber 27, 2021 at 15:00-16:15 (time zone UTC+3).