Prestigious International Law Schools and Centers Come Together to Discuss the Future of the Inter-American Human Rights System
American University Washington College of Law Hosts Conference Oct.15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, 2012 - Prestigious law schools from throughout the Americas will join renowned international law centers from other regions for an Oct. 15 conference at American University Washington College of Law on the Future of the Inter-American Human Rights System.
The conference will examine the important achievements of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Court of Human Rights since their creation, the real needs and challenges facing both organs, the current reform process within the OAS to address those needs and challenges, and the potential outcomes that this process might have on the ability of the Commission and Court to effectively protect human rights in the Americas.
“There is a process of discussion currently taking place with regard to the Inter-American system for the protection and promotion of human rights, a system which remains crucial to advancing human dignity throughout the region,” said Claudio Grossman, dean, American University Washington College of Law. “Together with the most important academic centers in the hemisphere, American University Washington College of Law has convened a conference to ascertain how the current discussion can contribute to strengthening even further the Inter-American system while respecting the autonomy of its organs.”
Learn more about the conference or register.
Agenda
8:15‐9 a.m. - Registration and Breakfast
9‐9:30 a.m. - Welcome Remarks
- Claudio Grossman, dean, American University Washington College of Law; Raymond Geraldson Scholar for International Law
- José de Jesús Orozco Henríquez, president, Inter‐American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
9:30-10:00 a.m. - The Role of the Inter‐American Commission and Court in Protecting Human Rights: Achievements and Contemporary Challenges
- Monica Pinto, dean, University of Buenos Aires, School of Law
10‐10:15 a.m. - Break
10:15 a.m.‐12:15 p.m. - Strengthening the Inter‐American Human Rights System: What Are The System’s Real Problems and Challenges?
- Moderator: Mark Schneider, sr. vice president, International Crisis Group
- Flavia Piovesan, professor, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Brazil
- Viviana Krsticevic, executive director, Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)
- Carlos Ayala Corao, professor, Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Venezuela
- Arif Bulkan, professor, University of the West Indies in Barbados
- Ariel Dulitzky, professor, Human Rights Clinic and Director, Latin America Initiative, University of Texas School of Law
- Jorge Taiana, former executive secretary of the IACHR; former minister of foreign affairs of Argentina; professor, Universidad Nacional de San Martin, Argentina
12:15‐1:45 p.m. - Working Lunch
1:45‐3:30 p.m. - The Current Reform Process
- Moderator: Felipe Gonzalez, professor of law, University Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile; member, Inter‐American Commission on Human Rights
- Joel Antonio Hernández García, ambassador, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the Organization of American States (OAS)
- Pedro Nikken, former president, Inter‐American Court of Human Rights
- Jorge Contesse, professor, Universidad Diego Portales
- Renzo Pomi, representative to the UN, Amnesty International
- Maria Clara Galvis, senior legal advisor, DPLF
- James Cavallaro, professor and director, Stanford InternationalHuman Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic, Stanford Law School
- Jose Miguel Vivanco, Human Rights Watch Committee (via video)
3:45‐5:15 p.m. - The Future of the Inter‐American Human Rights System
- Moderator: Robert Goldman, professor of law and Louis C. James Scholar, American University Washington College of Law
- Rodrigo Escobar Gil, member, Inter‐American Commission on Human Rights; former president, Constitutional Court of Colombia
- Pablo Saavedra, secretary, Inter‐American Court of Human Rights
- Luis Aviles, associate dean, University of Puerto Rico
- Elizabeth Abi‐Mershed, deputy executive secretary, Inter‐American Commission on Human Rights
- Walter Alban, ambassador, Permanent Mission of Peru to the OAS
- Emilio Alvarez Icaza, executive secretary, Inter American Commission on Human Rights
5:15‐5:30 p.m. - Q&A Session
5:30 p.m. – Comments
- Juan Mendez , professor of law, American University Washington College of Law
- Richard Wilson, professor of law, American University Washington College of Law
6 p.m. – Reception
Co-sponsoring academic institutions:
|
|
Media inquiries can be directed to Megan Smith, public relations coordinator, 202-274-4276.
###
About American University Washington College of Law
In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.