Under this program, ULAN provides pro bono legal services to marginalized communities facing harassment suits for protecting their right to a balanced and healthy ecology. It differs from the other legal aid programs by taking advantage of the long legal process to assist community development initiatives by promoting a policy environment that allows communities to help themselves.
ULAN holds the view that real, long-term and sustainable solutions to environmental issues are contingent, not just in the outcome of court cases, but more importantly, in genuine community efforts to manage their environment.
Following a rights-based approach, ULAN believes that environmental protection policies must be democratic, just and transparent, and should respect and promote human rights.
It relies on various linkages with other members of civil society, government agencies and local government units to achieve the desired reform.
ULAN aims to break new grounds in the rich field of environment, disability and human rights. ULAN’s direct legal assistance program compliments its research activities as it ensures that local community perspectives are always taken into account. Its research is grassroots-based but characterized by academic rigour bourne out of its ties with the Ateneo law school community.
ULAN develops new training modules that enhance the capacity of local partner NGOs and communities to engage more effectively in decision making.
It utilizes videos to better disseminate these capacity-enhancement modules and provide readily accessible material for local NGOs and communities engaged in environmental management. Several of its videos can be accessed here.