[hr-education-na] Call for judges interested in international law

The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University
Washington College of Law invites you to participate as a judge in the
Ninth Annual Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, taking
place May 23-28, 2004.  This unique Competition aims to familiarize
students with the jurisprudence created by the organs of the
Inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights as
well as to promote interaction and exchanges among students, academics,
diplomats and practitioners.  Equally important, the week-long Competition
helps a new generation of lawyers understand the importance of respecting
divergent opinions, intellectual rigor and the values that underpin the
discourse of human rights.

Volunteering as a judge gives you the opportunity to participate in a
unique training and mentoring program of students from around the world.
Last year, 45 teams from 14 different countries participated in the
Competition, involving over 150 students and faculty. Over 70 volunteer
attorneys participated in the Competition, grading written briefs,
questioning students in over 50 oral round sessions, welcoming students on
visits to their organizations, and speaking at the Competition’s training
seminar.

The Competition also provides you with a wonderful opportunity to network
with other accomplished attorneys, diplomats and judges. Whether it is
prior to grading an oral round session or at one of the many receptions
held during the week of the Competition, many excellent opportunities
exist where you can meet other attorneys interested in international human
rights law.

Finally, the Competition offers you the opportunity to explore in
cutting-edge legal issues currently being considered both in the
Inter-American system and international legal frameworks. This year’s
hypothetical case explores the contentious issues surrounding a
government’s desire to exploit natural resources underneath land populated
by groups of indigenous peoples. The case illuminates the critical tension
between economic development and indigenous rights.

If you are committed to international law and human rights, you will
surely enjoy participating as a judge in this competition. Judges can
grade the written memorials (submitted a month prior to the oral rounds)
and/or the oral round sessions during the week of the Competition. Either
way, your participation is critical in sustaining the long-term impact of
human rights education in the Americas as well as in supporting the months
of preparation undertaken by nearly 100 young lawyers who will join us in
Washington, DC for the Competition.

To volunteer as a judge, please fill out a judge registration form online
at www.wcl.american.edu/humright/mcourt/2004/registration.cfm or contact
Shazia Anwar at (202)274-4180 or iamoot@wcl.american.edu.  Thank you.



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