A decade after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, there is a growing awareness of the need for new models of cooperation in environmental policy-making. As the world struggles to find ways to safeguard environmental quality, the role of non-state actors, whether from the private sector or civil society, has attracted increasing attention. The nature of public-private partnerships and the role of NGOs in these arrangements represent new challenges to the creation of environmental policy. How is the participation of non-state actors in public policy decision-making to be facilitated and implemented? What obligations do such organizations have in carrying out the programs that emerge through these cooperative processes?

This session will examine how the dialogue among scientific experts, environmental advocates, corporate leaders and policy-makers can be improved. Participants will investigate alternative models for promoting better cooperation among these groups and for the development of an environmentally responsible public policy.

NOTE:This session may be taken for continuing legal education (CLE) credit for an additional fee.

Offered in association with the Center for International Legal Studies (CILS), professional development credit may be earned for the Law Society of England and Wales and the General Bar Council of the United Kingdom, for the Netherlands Bar, and for several states of the United States, including Colorado, New York, Texas. and West Virginia.