2011 Spring Global Outreach

Black Law Students Association (Kenya)

BLSA used this year's service trip to teach basic human rights law in the Mtongwe community, a poor community directly outside of Mombasa, Kenya. The Penn Law group split their time between the Destiny Village School (a primary school comprised of approximately 300 orphans) and Mtongwe Community Initiative (a human rights organization focused on women's rights).  Four students participated in the trip: Christopher Cottrell (L'12), Alex Gibson (L'12), Nathaniel Koonce (L'12), and Pedro Gassant (L'12).

Global Research Seminar (Japan)

GRS students participated in Waseda University Law School's Transnational Week and observed a symposium conducted by leading Japanese bankruptcy and insolvency law experts organized by the University of Tokyo.   Although the primary focus of the work in Tokyo was on Japanese insolvency and bankruptcy law, students were also able to gain a broader understanding of Japanese law, the Japanese legal profession, Japanese legal education, and Japanese culture. The 12 student delegation led by Professor Charles Mooney was comprised of Australia Alba (GL'11), David Jain (L'12), Masashi Konno (GL'11), Liz Larson (L'12), Lindsay Lau (L'11), Nirav Mehta (L'11), Michael Noonan (L'12), Nizan Packin (SJD'13), Spencer Pepper (L'11), Argyro Portokalaki (GL'11), Brendan Stuart (L'12), and Jennifer Wallace (L'11).

Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project (Jordan)

The goal of this trip was to train students at the University of Jordan Law School on refugee law and United States Special Immigrant Visa law.  This training will enable them to properly conduct intake on the many Iraqi refugees in Jordan.  Penn Law students accompanied University of Jordan Law students to Iraqi refugee camps in Amman, where they spoke with and conducted intake on potential Iraqi candidates for resettlement in the United States.   Professor Fernando Chang-Muy accompanied the six IRAP/IHRA student participants: Katie Flannery (L'13), Gola Javadi (L'13), Humira Noorestani (GL'11), Kathleen Norland (L'12), Ghazala Rahman (GL'11), and Elisa Solomon (L'13).

Transnational Legal Clinic (Haiti)

Six law students in the Transnational Legal Clinic, supervised by Practice Associate Professor Sarah Paoletti, travelled to Haiti over Spring break. Over the course of the week, Liz Eisenberg (L'11), Cora Ang (GL'11), John Moore (L'11), Rekha Nair (L'12), Samantha Stephens  (L'11) and Erika Tang (GL'11) worked alongside the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti and its sister organization, Bureau des Avocats Internationaux, to conduct on-the-ground research, interviews, and consultations in preparation for drafting a report on labor and human rights in Haiti to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council as part of Haiti's upcoming Universal Periodic Review.  The work of the TLC students constituted a valuable contribution to Haiti's Universal Period Review by raising critical questions and identifying key recommendations from across Haitian civil society for the advancement of human rights and labor rights in Haiti

Important Information Meetings

Preparing to Go Abroad- Nuts and Bolts: April 4

Gittis 213, 12:15pm
"Preparing to Go Abroad Meeting" for law students traveling overseas in the Summer and Fall.  Mandatory meeting on travel, safety, health, cultural concerns and getting the most out of the experience.  Useful information for a wide range of students- from those working in firms in Europe to students doing human rights work in the developing world.  Law students who have worked and studied abroad will share practical tips on minimizing problems and maximizing your experience.

International Planning for 1Ls: April 7

Silverman 245A, 1:30pm
Information session to discuss academic planning, resources, and extracurricular opportunities to pursue during your 2L and 3L years for those interested in international legal work.  Guest speakers will include Christopher Yoo, faculty director for one of next year's Global Research Seminars.

Upcoming Penn Law Events

East Asian Law Review Annual Symposium: April 1

Silverman 240A, 12:30pm
This year's symposium will examine Human Rights, Legal Reforms, and the Rule of Law in China.  James Zhaojie Li (Prof. of Law, Tsinghua Univ. School of Law) will speak on the influence of International Human Rights Law on China's Legal System.  Carl Minzner (Associate Prof. of Law, Washington Univ. School of Law), will speak on China's reluctance to embrace legal reforms in the last few decades. Peihong Zhang (Criminal Defense Lawyer, Shanghai Zhang Law Firm) will speak on practicing Criminal Defense in China.  The symposium will be moderated by David M. Albert of Cozen O'Connor.  Lunch will be served.  This event is open to all members of the Penn Law community.

The Story of the "Introduction" of Norms of Gender Equality Into Japanese Employment Practice: April 5

Silverman 245A, 3:00pm
Japanese working women have been struggling for equal treatment since the 1950s and initially had success in getting Japanese courts to prohibit the most blatant forms of discrimination. This process culminated in the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1985. The practical results, however, have not been as anticipated. In this lecture NYU Law professor Frank Upham will trace this history, and then attempt to explain why Japan remains so far behind most other countries, rich or poor, in employment equality.

2011 Holt Lecture on International Law: April 11

Gittis 214, 4:30pm
The topic for this year's Leon C. and June W. Holt Lecture in International Law is, "Reflections on American Foreign Policy." The speaker will be Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter, the Bert G. Kerstetter Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. Contact Jaret Herter at jrherter@law.upenn.edu to register or to request additional information.

The Crime of Aggression and the ICC: April 12

Silverman 240B, 4:30pm
Special talk by addressing aggression and the International Criminal Court given by William Shabas, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Will China's Political System Derail Its Peaceful Rise?: April 12

Silverman 245A, 3:00pm
Susan Shirk will be the presenter at the Contemporary East Asia Lecture.   She is director of the University of California system-wide Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation and Ho Miu Lam professor of China and Pacific Relations.  During 1997-2000, Shirk served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, with responsibility for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mongolia.

Counter-Terror: the Model, the Reality: April 14

Gittis 213, 4:30pm
Ambassador Dell Dailey, US Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism (07-09), US Army Lieutenant General (ret.) will present the current counter terror model, discuss new or existing organizations to assist countering terror, and provide an updated assessment of Al Qaeda. This wide-ranging discussion looking at cutting edge issues facing America's counter-terrorism operations today is jointly sponsored by the Institute for Law and Philosophy and the Penn Law National Security Society.

Using Targeted Killing to Fight the War on Terror- Philosophical, Moral and Legal Challenges:  April 15-16

The Philadelphia Cricket Club
The U.S. and other governments have been targeting and killing many others as part of both the fight against Islamic terrorists and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the widespread use of this technique raises important questions in just war theory.  Sessions will include: Targeted Killings and the Rights of Non-Combatants, Implementation of Targeted Killing in the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare, Targeted Killing under Military versus Criminal Law Paradigms, and The Normative Framework of Targeted Killing.  Event is not open to the public and is by invitation only.

Recent Penn Law Events

The Future of Globalism- A Discussion of Anti International Law Ballot Initiatives: March 30

This election day Oklahoma voters approved State Question 755, prohibiting the states' courts from "considering or using" international law.  Legislatures from six other states have proposed similar initiatives in the past year.  Martha Davis, Professor at Northeastern University and expert on Human Rights Law, spoke on the constitutional questions that these initiatives pose.  Sponsored by the American Constitution Society.

Human Rights in the US-UN Universal Periodic Review:  March 29

A discussion of the November 2010 session of the UN Universal Periodic Review in which the U.S. participated in for the first time in November 2010.  Professor Paoletti and students from the Transnational Legal Clinic attended this session in Geneva.  Discussion included the Human Rights Council's recommendations for remedying human rights issues in the United States, which were adopted on March 18, 2011. Sponsored by IHRA, ILO, HAP, and NLG.

Japan- First Hand Observations of the Earthquake: March 28

East Asia Law Review provided students the opportunity to hear first-hand observations of the earthquake in Japan. The Penn Law Global Seminar students reflected on their experiences in Tokyo during the tragic natural disaster. Panel included Professor Charles Mooney and Professor Satoshi Kotake from Takushoku University. Lunch was provided and donations to relief efforts were encouraged.

Global Health Discussion with Medical Practitioners: March 25

Global health: how to get involved, and how lawyers and the medical profession can work together in the field of global health (both outside and inside the US).  Co-hosted by Penn Law and the Nursing School.  Panelists included: Professor Sarah Paoletti, Penn Law; Dr. Ed Zurwoeste, Director of the Migrant Clinicians Network; and Candace Kugel, a midwife who co-founded a health clinic in Honduras.

Outsourcing National Security- The Legal Implications: March 24

A discussion featuring: Laura Dickinson, Foundation Professor of Law at Arizona State University and author of Outsourcing War and Peace; Paul Verkuil, Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States and author of Outsourcing Sovereignty; moderated by: Cary Coglianese, Edward B. Shils Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science.  Sponsored by the Penn Law National Security Society, the International Law Organization and the Penn Program on Regulation.

Whither Japan? Looking Forward Beyond the Headlines: March 24

Panel Discussion with Penn faculty: Linda Chance, East Asian Languages and Civilizations; Frank Chance, Center for East Asian Studies; Eric Feldman, Law School; Ayako Kano, East Asian Languages and Civilizations; Susan Lindee, History and Sociology of Science; and Hiroko Sherry, East Asian Languages and Civilizations.  Moderated by Frederick Dickinson, Department of History.  Sponsored by the Center for East Asian Studies

Sovereignty in the Post-National Period: March 23

Talk by Bok Visiting International Professor, Michael Stolleis. The concept of Sovereignty is a medieval word, but a juridical invention of the 16th century. It's a landmark of the history of political ideas, symbolizing the closed national state and the concentrated power of the early modern state, internal and external. In the age of "globalization" the outlines of the traditional states perished. Sovereignty seems to be outmoded. World-communication, world-trade, world-conflicts are everywhere. Law without state arises. We are on the way to a new world order, but in which direction?  Event sponsored by the Penn Law and History Consortium.

Enforcing Socioeconomic Rights in Europe: March 22

Colm O'Cinneide, a Reader in Law at University College London, specializes in human rights and anti-discrimination law. He is currently Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights and a member of the Blackstone Chambers Academic Panel. His research includes issues surrounding equality within EU law and legal mechanisms for protecting socioeconomic rights. Sponsored by IHRA as part of the 2011 Human Rights Lecture Series.

Are Superpowers Above the Law? The U.S., China, and the Future of the International Legal Order: March 22

Session hosted by Penn Law at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. The panel examined when and why the U.S. and China do—and don't—follow or support international law, and what the two superpowers' approaches to international law mean for global order, the role of rising powers, as well as issues of international security, world trade, human rights, and the environment. Speakers included: Prof. William Burke-White, Prof. Jacques deLisle, Bok Visiting International Prof. James Zhaojie Li, (Tsinghua University Law School) and Cdr James Kraska (U.S. Naval War College).  Panel moderated by Richard McGregor (Financial Times). Event co-sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

"I Am the Fourth Estate": the Case of Italy: March 14

Talk by Penn Law Visiting Scholar, Paolo Cavaliere.  A critical look at the Italian industry of media-- the development of which can be read as an example of what happens when market forces are not constrained by any kind of regulation. The current highly concentrated market, where there is essentially one private competitor to the public broadcaster, has shaped the Italian information landscape in a unique way when compared to the American or European equivalents. Event co-sponsored by Penn Law and the Annenberg School of Communications.

Outside the Law School

U.S. Policy Toward China and Taiwan: March 31

Huntsman F85, 7:00pm
A moderated discussion between Dr. Avery Goldstein from Penn and Dr. Aaron Friedberg from Princeton, hosted by the Alexander Hamilton Society. Goldstein is the David M. Knott Professor of Global Politics and International Relations, and Associate Director of the Christopher Browne Center for International Politics.  Friedberg is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University, and from 2003-2005 served as a deputy assistant for National Security Affairs in the Office of the Vice President. He is a member of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion.

Empowering Women to Change the World: What Universities and the UN Can Do: April 4

Irvine Auditorium, 5:00pm
A public address by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.  The Secretary-General is a passionate advocate for the human rights and welfare of women and girls globally.  He will be keynoting the fifth Global Colloquium of University Presidents, a meeting of 50 university presidents and faculty from major universities in every part of the world, which will convene at Penn on April 4-5th to discuss what we can do to empower women for full participation and leadership in their societies.  Please RSVP to opevents@pobox.upenn.edu

Global Risk: New Perspectives and Opportunities: April 7

Huntsman Hall G06, 4:30pm
Hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  Join-talk by Ian Bremmer, President of the Eurasia Group and Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics at NYU and Chairman/Co-Founder of Roubini Global Economics.

Egypt at a Crossroads: April 7

Stiteler Hall Room B6, 5:00pm
Saad Eddin Ibrahim is a Wallerstein Distinguished Visiting Professor of Religious Studies at Drew University, who was in Cairo this winter prior to ongoing popular protests demanding immediate democracy in Egypt. Promoting free and fair democracy in Egypt has been the life-long striving of Saad Eddin Ibrahim, and the current protests have brought the Egyptian call for democracy to the fore of global politics. Sponsored by the Middle East Center, the Middle East Forum, and the Department of Political Science.