Three-part lecture series on international law at the WVU College of Law
The McDougall Lecture Series, “Global Perspectives,” evidences the continuing commitment by the West Virginia University College of Law to its programs in international law which explore diverse points of view on issues critical to the global legal community.
The two Archibald McDougall Visiting Lecturers on International Law in residence at the WVU College of Law along with another distinguished guest lecturer will provide unique insights on topics as varied as human rights and gender law, the role of the U. N. Security Council regarding democratic governance of member states, and the challenges of burgeoning democracies in Latin America.
Valorie K. Vojdik, Associate Dean of Faculty Research and Development, who was instrumental in conceiving and facilitating this series of talks states, “This new lecture series offers our students an invaluable opportunity to engage with distinguished international scholars with diverse views and global perspectives on international legal issues.”
The Series:
“Problems of Democratic Consolidation inLatin America: Special Mention to the Mexican Case”
Mon. Oct. 12, 2009 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classroom 154, WVU Law Center
Dr. Fernando Patrón Sánchez
Director of the Department of Public Management
Division of Law, Politics and Government
University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
In the last two decades most Latin American countries have experienced a gradual but consistent change to democratic governments. Relatively freely, fair and impartial elections have been held across Latin America. It appears to be that Democracy is in the process of establishing itself as the overwhelmingly dominant political system in the subcontinent.
However, several problems remain in order to consolidate the democratic system in Latin America. There are still major uncertainties about the effectiveness of these regimes to contain crime and corruption, generate economic growth, reduce economic and social inequality, and secure freedom and the rule of law. All these problems are manifested and expressed in Latin American societies with discontent and distrust towards political elites, political parties and political institutions in general.
During his presentation, Prof. Patrón Sánchez will address the problems described above focusing mainly in the Mexican case. He will give a viewpoint of the undergoing reform processes that are needed in order to improve and consolidate democracy in Mexico and Latin America in general.
“U.N. Security Council Jurisprudence: Power PoliticsStill Trumps Inchoate Trend Toward Just Governance”
Tue. Sept.15, 2009 | 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom, WVU Law Center
Dr. Myint Zan
Associate Professor, School of Law
Faculty of Business and Law
Multimedia University, Malacca, Malaysia
International law expert Dr. Myint Zan will appears as the second speaker in the West Virginia University College of Law McDougall Lecture Series “Global Perspectives” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 2-3 p.m. in the Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom. His will present on “U.N. Security Council Jurisprudence: Power Politics Still Trumps Inchoate Trend Toward Just Governance.”
Zan’s presentation and discussion will detail the adoption of U.N. Security Council resolutions, presidential statements and draft resolutions that were not adopted in relation to three countries during times of governing crises in Haiti, Burma, and Zimbabwe.
In the aftermath of the Cold War, the U.N. Security Council has in a very few cases taken cognizance of internal domestic situations – including the military coups that took place among member states, and the conduct of elections as well as the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations or uprising in member states. The council has either adopted resolutions or presidential statements which can be argued as censuring certain member states or ‘urging’ certain member states to meet some of the minimum criteria pertaining to ‘democratic’ or just governance. In the days of the Cold War, such resolutions could not have been adopted or even considered by the U.N. Security Council.
Zan is an associate professor at the School of Law of Multimedia University. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from Rangoon University in Burma, a Master of Laws degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of International Law degree from the Australian National University and a Doctor of Philosophy from Griffith University in Australia.
Since 1990, Zan has taught the subjects of international law, administrative law, human rights law, international trade and commercial law, law and society, legal studies (for MBA students), business law, introduction to South Pacific law, Malaysian foreign policy, strategy and national defense, contract law and jurisprudence.
“Palestinian Women and the Law”
Mon. Aug. 31, 2009 | 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Classroom 154
WVU Law Center
Halla E. Shoaibi
Open Society Institute, Palestinian Rule of Law Fellow,
& Research Intern, National Criminal Justice Reform,
Open Society Justice Initiative, New York, New York
Halla E. Shoaibi, is currently completing an LL.M from the University of Michigan and has a keen interest in human rights, international humanitarian law, private and public international law. She has pursued this interest not only through her education—having received a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Birzeit University—but also through her work with organizations like The Open Society Justice Initiative, Palestinian Rule of Law Fellowship Program (PROL) that provides for graduate legal studies in law leading to an LL.M (Masters of Laws) degree. Applicants must be lawyers or law graduates normally resident in the Gaza Strip or West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The program aims to create a critical mass of internationally oriented professionals who are predisposed to the rule of law, committed to a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and actively engaged in building a rule-of-law infrastructure, a democratic civil society, and transparent governmental institutions in the Palestinian territories.
In addition Shoaibi has worked with ARKAN (USAID Project), a pilot externship program dealing with rule of law reform in the West Bank and Gaza; as a volunteer with the Dalia Association, the first Palestinian community foundation; and “Youth Work in Contested Spaces” (YWICS), hosted by the Basque Government and Public Achievement Northern Ireland among other activities.
In her lecture, Ms. Shoaibi will examine the experiences of Palestinian women from a human rights perspective as well as the role of women’s organizations in Palestine.