Page 8 - Law Academic Newsletter 2015

University of Namibia hosts International Association of Law Schools 4th African Law Deans’ Forum 12th - 15th April 2015
Challenges to Legal Education: Globalisation and the Development of Standards
The 4th African Law Dean’s Forum was attended by law deans and academics from around the continent from 12 - 14 April in Swakopmund, Namibia. The aim of the forum was the discussion of current and future challenges to legal education as viewed through the lens of globalisation and a desire for the development of standards.
Many of the deans in attendance were impressed with the level of collaboration achieved and were inspired to further develop collaboration efforts between law faculties in the region. Discussions were facilitated through six small groups meeting separately and reporting back through detailed minutes taken by UNAM students.
The African forum was the first to be held in 2015 and will be followed by the Americas, European and Asia-Pacific fora in May and June 2015. The discussion process will culminate in October 2015 when the 2nd Global Law Deans’ Forum will convene in Madrid.
The UNAM Faculty of Law consists of three departments: Commercial Law; Public Law and Jurisprudence; and Private and Procedural Law. In addition, two Centres fall under the Faculty, viz. the Human Rights and Documentation Centre (HRDC) and the Justice Training Centre (JTC). The Faculty also runs a Legal Aid Clinic, whose mandate includes the provision of clinical legal education to final year LLB students and the offering of legal assistance to the indigent members of our community.
Since its establishment as a fully-fledged faculty of the University in 1992, it has remained the only institution offering legal education to Namibians who would like to receive a locally-based legal education.
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