How did resource extraction build empires, and how much has really changed since?

In this opening session of our three-part series on critical raw materials, Prof. dr. Catía Antunes (Leiden University) traces the long history of how empires sustained themselves through the extraction of resources, drawing on striking examples across the centuries. She  connects that past to the present, showing how little the underlying logic of extraction has shifted, and how similar patterns are still visible now that the world races for the critical minerals that power the energy transition.

Following the keynote, Antunes is joined by Marius Troost (Both ENDS) for a panel discussion on the injustices bound up in the extraction of critical raw materials today: who bears responsibility for them, and how NGOs and other actors can best aim their efforts to have the greatest impact. The panel will be moderated by Brian Jacobs.

Afterwards there is time for drinks and a networking reception.

Time, Date and Signing-up

🗓 Wednesday 28 October
🕠17:30 - 19:00
📍The Humanity Hub, Fluwelen Burgwal 58, Den Haag

Attendence is free, please sign-up in advance.

What are the global effects of the extraction of critical raw materials on regions world wide?

In this second session in the series on critical raw materials, we look at how the run on critical raw materials affects regional and local communities. We start with a keynote by Jacqueline Persson, climate expert at Oxfam Novib.

After het keynote, she will be joined by Jeleel Balyaminu, MSc and Dr. Soledad Valdivia Rivera for a panel discussion. Which parallels can we see between Latin-America and Africa when it comes to resource extraction? We explore what the global demand for critical raw materials means for communities and how it creates new geopolitical power structures. What role does China play? And how do we look at the violation of international human rights laws and climate agreements related to extraction of these resources?

Jeleel Balyaminu is currently doing a PhD at the African Studies Centre Leiden. He is working on Mining Regulations in Africa. He has a background in social sciences (Sociology) and natural sciences (Water Resources Management). His regional expertise is in Africa, particularly Southern and Central Africa: the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.

Soledad Valivia Rivera is Assistant Professor at the Institute for History at the Department of Latin America Studies. She focusses among others on the state and social movement relations in Bolivia.

Jacqueline Persson is a climate policy specialist with expertise in the social and economic dimensions of the energy transition. She works with renewable energy companies to advance responsible sourcing practices for critical transition minerals. She is the author and commissioning manager of various reports highlighting the connection between climate change and inequality,

Afterwards there is time for drinks and a networking reception.

Time, Date and Signing-up

🗓 Wednesday 11 November
🕠17:30 - 19:00
📍The Humanity Hub, Fluwelen Burgwal 58, Den Haag

Attendence is free, but please sign-up in advance.

How can we create a just and sustainable future?

In this final session we delve into the more technical aspects of critical raw materials. If these materials continue to remain essential, how can we extract them in a sustainable way? What are the possibilities of extracting them within Europe and is it possible to recyle these materials?

Together with among others Prof. dr. René Kleijn and Leianne Wijnhoud (World Resources Institute) we discuss the possibilities and challenges to extract critical resources in a sustainable and just manner, while meeting the demand necessary for the energy transition

René Kleijn is a professor Resilient Resource Supply at Leiden University and is the head of the department of Industrial Ecology. His current research interests include critical raw materials, supply chain resilience, responsible sourcing, circular economy approaches, and understanding the material requirements of the energy transition.
 

Leianne Wijnhoud is a Senior Research Analyst at the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition, working on the Energy Minerals and Circularity pillar. Her work supports meeting the demand for minerals for the energy transition while protecting both people and nature - by making mineral supply chains more responsible and by meeting demand through circularity.

Time, Date and Signing-up

🗓 Wednesday 18 November
🕠17:30 - 19:00
📍Amare, Spuiplein 150, Den Haag

Attendence is free, please sign-up in advance.