On a recent visit to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva, LL.M. participants were treated to a tailored workshop, with an insider’s perspective from lawyers and leading experts on a range of environmental law issues.
"This visit was part of a broader series of institutional visits throughout the semester, taking advantage of the vast array of international organisations and NGOs in Geneva", says Jason Rudall, manager of the LL.M. in International Law Programme. "Our LL.M. participants have also visited with lawyers at the UN Office in Geneva, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (ATP) and the World Trade Organization--just to name a few."
At UNEP, Marceil Yeates, Chief of Legal Affairs and Trade Policy for CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), spoke to participants about the challenges involved in balancing the interests of states in international trade with the protection of animal and plant species. Then Yvonne Ewang, Associate Legal Officer at the UNEP Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, expounded on the regimes that regulate transboundary movements in hazardous waste, trade in hazardous waste and chemicals, and persistent organic pollutants.
Guest Lecture Series Brings Legal Experts to the Classroom
On-site experiences were complemented by a series of guest practitioners throughout the Fall 2014 term, including:
- Mona Rishmawi, Chief of Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- Alex Conte, Director of International Law and Protection Programmes, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
- Georgios Petrochilos, a founding partner at Three Crowns LLP
- Elisabeth Tuerk, Chief International Investment Agreements Section Division on Investment and Enterprise at UNCTAD
- Several other Partners from leading Geneva-based international trade law firms King & Spalding, White & Case and Sidley Austin
Looking Ahead: Applied Law Clinics for 2015
Looking ahead to the Spring semester in 2015, the LL.M. Programme is designed for a deeper, hands-on engagement through a Law Clinic Programme, where participants have the opportunity to engage in real challenges and cutting-edge issues facing partner organisations for the clinics. Last year's projects included UNCTAD, ILGA and ICJ.
Beyond International Geneva, the group will embark on a Study Trip to The Hague for an intensive three-day series of visits and talks at the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court and Permanent Court of Arbitration.
"These activities complement the high-caliber teaching that LL.M. participants receive in the classroom from our professors, who comprise our own leading faculty at the Institute as well as external faculty--such as Judge Bruno Simma and Sir Nigel Rodley, says Jason. "More broadly, they reflect the philosophy behind the programme in blending theory and practice."
We are presently inviting applications for admission to our LL.M. in International Law that begins in September 2015. Application deadline: 15 January.
Click here to learn more or to begin an application.