Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit Global Plenary

17 March 2025

Monash University is proud to be part of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, a global event advancing climate justice through human rights solutions.

Taking place from 4–7 June 2025 across the world, the summit will bring together world-leading experts, policymakers, academics and community voices to address the urgent challenges of climate change.

Hosted by the University of Oxford and UN Human Rights, the summit will feature a 24-hour global plenary, with universities worldwide – including Monash – co-hosting key discussions. As part of this, Monash will run a series of online panels, showcasing critical research and fostering dialogue on the intersection of climate change and human rights.

This event presents a unique opportunity to engage with leading voices on climate justice and to explore meaningful solutions for a sustainable and equitable future.

Our local programme is one of several in a hybrid global event on 5 June 2025 – World Environment Day. This 24-hour event is part of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit the University of Oxford is hosting in partnership with UN Human Rights, the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance, the International Universities Climate Alliance , and co-host universities across the world.

Join the 24-hour global plenary via livestream

Register now

Monash University events

Session	Summary
Welcome Date: 5 June 2025 Time: 9am	Hosted by Associate Professor Susie Ho, with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Caroline Briggs (Professor N'arwee't Carolyn Briggs AM), Boon Wurrung senior elder and founder of the Boon Wurrung Foundation.
A just transition grounded in human rights Indigenous interview (30 mins) Date: 5 June 2025 Time: 9.15am Interviewee: Michael Bourke	This Letjpa (yarn) with Yorta Yorta Ngana Yiyirr Michael Bourke will reflect on the use of Bitja (fire), Dungudja Wala (flood) and Yedabilla (animal) cultivation for millennia by Yorta Yorta Yenbena (Peoples), and explore lessons for western societies today. This will include an examination of the policy and regulatory environments enabling environmental exploitation. The discussion will reflect on how human rights of First Nations Peoples have been repeatedly violated, including by climate change, and consider the need for collective reflection and action on the exploitation of people and the environment.
From Local Experiences to Global Action: Climate and Health Adaptation Health panel (45 mins) Date: 5 June 2025 Time: 9.45am Panellists: A/Prof Zerina Tomkins (Australia), Dr Gabriela Fernando (Indonesia), Prof Adeeba Kamarulzaman (Malaysia), Prof Karin Leder (Australia) Facilitator: David Sweeting	This panel of experts will discuss key issues related to climate and health in the Asia-Pacific region: What are the emerging opportunities and challenges for the right to health under climate change within the current political, social and economic landscape? What needs to be addressed most urgently? What are the priority action areas based on regional experience (Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia)? What role can universities play in advancing research on supporting the human right to health under climate change? How can research influence policy and protect the rights to health and a healthy environment? (with examples)
Tuning In: Creative approaches in the climate discourse Music presentation (20 mins) Date: 5 June 2025 Time: 10.30am	Music and sound offer powerful tools for engaging people on climate justice and societal change. Dr Louise Devenish will share creative works from The Sound Collectors Lab that highlight environmental impacts on bodies of water in our region. This presentation explores how artistic research can surface emotional, intangible, and alternative understandings of global issues.

Global partner, host:

Academic partner, host:

Confirmed international co-hosts: