Green state vision of west papua

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Gijs Romijn is a Dutch student of forest and nature conservation policy and sustainable development policy, as well as a circular entrepreneur and a writer. He is active internationally in policy research and environmental protection advocacy. He is interested in grassroots environmental governance, multilateral environmental treaties, and the right to self-determination of Indigenous peoples and stateless nations. 

  Maria is a law student specialising in European Union law as well as international and European environmental law.  She has a Spanish-German background and currently is completing her L.L.M. Degree in the Netherlands.  In the future, Maria hopes to contribute in the field of environmental policy making at the European level.

"Over the summer internship at Solon Law, I had the chance to work in an interdisciplinary team with interns form various academic backgrounds backgrounds such as trade and investment law or sociology. After receiving a project brief, we worked collaboratively on the process of developing a policy draft. Personally, I focused on conducting comparative legal research by analysing already existing legislative proposals and laws in order to draft suggestions for environmentally and socially responsible legislation with the focus on West Papua. The research touched upon how to draft investment and trade policies which encourage international investors to take responsibility for the potential environmental and social impact of their economical activities.   Personally, I can conclude that it was an honour to be part of this team of engaged interns and work with Roy Lee on the pressing and multi-facetted issues surrounding sustainable and equitable investment policies in West Papua. I believe that investment policies, especially when affecting indigenous communities, have to be inherently connected with the principle of human dignity and the ecocentric perspective of focusing on respect for the environment.".

  Isabella is a recent Sciences Po Paris graduate with a degree in economics and sociology and a minor in International Relations.  She is American-Brazilian and has been living in France since 2019.  Throughout her degree, she developed a strong passion for environmental and social justice and became interested in the intersection between gender and the environment. She hopes to work within an international organisation to promote environmental policy that highlights the disparate impact climate change has on gender inequality.

    "During my internship at Solon Law, I conducted research on international standards and principles for carbon accounting in investments, the inclusion of indigenous women in business, and well-being as an indicator of success to provide business and investment recommendations that aligned with the values of the Green State Vision. This assignment was an extremely motivating and fulfilling one as I was able to apply the knowledge and skills I gained during my university experience to a valuable cause, as well as learn from a diverse group of interns to expand my outlook on how to create inclusive policy.

Working on this project was a perspective-changing experience. Many times, I feel that we settle into the status quo and forget that it is not the world’s major powers who dictate when and how change can occur, but passionate individuals who are dedicated to their causes; those fighting for a free West Papua are a testament to that. I hope to see indigenous people and culture at the center of decision-making processes, regardless of the policy field, as well as a greater integration of indigenous women in higher-level business positions. Ultimately, I hope that the work being done in West Papua is used as an example for small and large nations alike and that we will begin to chip away at the foundations of the growth-based capitalism that has defined our world for so long. 

  Marina is a qualified Brazilian lawyer specialised in International Trade and Investment law.  Since law school and throughout her LL.M studies, she has nurtured a great interest in business and human rights. Currently, she works as a sustainability legislation specialist at a multinational corporation.  In the future, she plans to contribute further to the field of business and human rights, especially in policy building. 

" During the summer internship at Solon Law, I was part of an interdisciplinary team of interns of different backgrounds, and collectively we were meant to develop an investment policy draft. Even though each of us had specific points to be researched, we would meet weekly and briefly discuss our findings thus far. This experience was enriching because it allowed us to look at issues from different standpoints and see the bigger picture beyond our specific scope of research. My focus was on (i) the necessity and desirability of investment treaties and international trade agreements; (ii) the desirable structure for an investment treaty if there would be one; and (iii) human rights due diligence and enforcement.

 It was an honour to be a part of this team and understand the complex issues surrounding West Papua. Developing a draft investment policy that would be in line with the GSV was a humbling exercise. It was an experience that went beyond just looking for international guidelines and comparing existing domestic laws. It mainly implied listening to their leaders and understanding their priorities, beliefs and culture. It meant learning that forests are our family. It meant prioritising ethical concerns. It meant listening to their leaders say they currently feel like foreigners in their own land. I have learned so much more than just about sustainability and investment. I hope that the West Papuans will be the ones deciding on their lands, including putting in place investment policies that will allow them to fulfil the GSV .". 

Theodora Kostara is an internationally-oriented and experienced Greek qualified lawyer with an LL.M on International Maritime Law from Swansea University, United Kingdom. She specialises in Carriage of Goods by Sea, Land and Air, Oil and Gas Law, Human Rights as well as European law. She is privileged to have joined law firms, companies and organisations of different size and specialisations in four different jurisdictions (United Kingdom, Spain, Luxembourg and Greece). She has advised and represented private companies & individuals as well as NGOs on various matters arising out of immigration, data protection, project financing and violation of rights of vulnerable populations, marginalised groups, women, children, indigenous people and refugees.  She speaks five languages (English, French, Spanish, Greek and Dutch). She is a proactive and result-driven professional and an active and supportive team player with the appetite to significantly contribute within a team.  Theodora carried out policy and legal research that informed Solon Law's advice to the ULMWP Provisional Government of West Papua on the Green State Vision.