International Speakers Series

The International Speakers Series was established in 2008 as part of a Queen's Law initiative to increase students' exposure to international issues and opportunities. The series, organized by Professor Darryl Robinson, brings in activists, practitioners and academics to discuss current topical issues in international law. Topics include international human rights and other legal issues arising in specific countries, the responsibility to protect and the future of globalization. Speakers are also invited to share their own experiences, lessons learned and advice for interested students in order to shed light on international career opportunities. 

2011-12 Speakers:

March 29, 5:00 p.m.
Macdonald Hall, Room 003

Dr. Hilmi Zawati will speak about the large-scale but under-reported sexual violence in the recent conflict in Libya, and the resulting difficulties and dilemmas for the survivors.  
 
Dr. Zawati has been a committed human rights activist for the last three decades, and is the author of several prize-winning books on international humanitarian and human rights law, including two on gender-based violence.

For further information, read Dr. Zawati's op-ed, "Hidden deaths of Libyan rape survivors," published in the National Law Journal on January 9, 2012, at http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202537498000&slreturn=1.

October 13

Barry Stevens, award-winning film-maker, participated in a discussion with audience members after they watched his latest documentary “The Prosecutor.” The documentary, which was featured in several recent film festivals, captures the work of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, including the laudable aims of international justice, how it has been criticized, and the difficulties of trying to establish the rule of law without a police force or army to rely upon. 

2008-09 to 2010-11 Speakers:

October 27, 2008
Dylan Smith, Al Haq
Experiences of Human Rights Advocacy in the Occupied Territories

February 23, 2009
Professor Don Hubert, University of Ottawa
The Responsibility to Protect and the International Politics of Civilian Protection

March 19, 2009
His Excellency Omar Samad, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Ottawa
The Challenges of Transition in Afghanistan

April 3, 2009
Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, Columbia University (Distinguished Speaker)
Containing the Protectionist Threat Today

October 5, 2009 (hosted jointly with the Law Students' Society)
Abousfian Abdelrazik
Personal experiences with the State responses to the threat of terrorism

November 9, 2009
Cory Wanless, Klippensteins Barristers & Solicitors
Holding Canadian corporations accountable for human rights violations abroad

November 25, 2009 (hosted jointly with the Human Rights Law Association)
Nikki Dryden, two-time Olympic swimmer for Canada and human rights lawyer
Holding the International Olympic Committee accountable for its professed human rights values

January 18, 2010
Professor Mark Drumbl, Washington and Lee University School of Law
Soldiers in International Criminal Law

February 8, 2010 (hosted jointly with Alumni Speakers Series)
Scott Fairley, past President of Canadian Council on International Law
A Duty to Protect Canadians Abroad?  What the Supreme Court Decided and Left Undecided in Prime Minister of Canada v. Omar Khadr

March 11, 2010
The Honourable Bob Rae, MP for Toronto Centre and Foreign Affairs Critic for the Official Opposition
Canada in the World

November 22, 2010 (hosted jointly with Alumni Speakers Series)
Jayne Stoyles, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for International Justice
The International Justice Movement:  What Role for Canadian Courts?