Event Details

Join us to hear from Dr Jane Davidson talk about how to change public policy for a greener tomorrow

Can legislation protect future generations? From pioneering the UK’s first plastic bag charge to creating legislation that has been praised as a global model by the UN, Dr Jane Davidson’s career as a policymaker, educator, and environmental advocate demonstrates how bold ideas can lead to lasting change.

This lecture will discuss the ethics and values behind her approach to policymaking, drawing from her acclaimed book #futuregen: Lessons From a Small Country.

Dr Jane Davidson will explain how, as Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in Wales, she proposed what became the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 – the first piece of legislation in history to put sustainability and future generations at the core of government decision-making. Lauded by the United Nations, this law has sparked global conversations about how governments can rethink democracy, tackle climate change, and foster long-term well-being.

At the lecture, you’ll gain insights into:

• How sustainability became a core principle of Welsh governance.

• The role of individual values in shaping policy decisions.

• Practical ideas for embedding ethical, long-term thinking into public policy.

She’ll also share how her personal commitment to sustainability guides her daily life on a smallholding in west Wales, where she works to ‘live lightly on the land’.

Joining Dr Davidson are two Lancaster University academics:

Professor Rebecca Willis, a specialist in Energy and Climate Governance, will discuss how democracy must adapt to address today’s environmental challenges, and Dr Temidayo Eseonu, Lecturer in Policy and Politics, who will explore how we can create a more inclusive, participatory democracy where every voice matters - especially those often marginalised.

Together, they’ll all engage in a lively discussion about the future of democracy in the face of global social and environmental crises.