| Description: | In recent years, more SUNY Buffalo Law School graduates have sought employment in the field of human rights law and increasingly located to Washington, a market that presents unique opportunities and challenges for new attorneys. Through the lens of international human rights law, this bridge course will introduce students to governmental bodies, intergovernmental bodies, law firms and human rights organizations that are engaged in the practice of international law and rights-based advocacy. Students will be exposed to a variety of strategies used in Washington to exert influence, impact policymaking, and meet other legal and policy ends. Topics that the course will explore are: (1) advocacy through lobbying and legislation; (2) advocacy through monitoring, reporting, publicity and awareness-raising; and (3) advocacy through litigation and case-based engagement and settlement negotiation. Students spend 10 days in Washington, and attend meetings with officials and representatives in government (Congress, State Department, Department of Justice, Homeland Security, White House); inter-governmental organizations (World Bank, OAS, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights); non-governmental human rights organizations (Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, ACLU, CEJIL, Open Society Foundations, Human Rights First, Disability Rights International, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, Due Process of Law Foundation, RFK Human Rights, UN Foundation, Solidarity Center, Free the Slaves, International Corporate Accountability Roundtable, Council on Global Equality, Earth Rights International); and law firms (LeClair Ryan, Sidley Austin). These meetings are supplemented by classroom discussions, daily debriefings, professional networking opportunities with alumni and an opportunity to explore Washington’s many historical and political landmarks and attractions, including the U.S. Supreme Court. |
| Project/Activity Leader(s): | Tara Melish, Associate Professor and Director, Buffalo Human Rights Center |
| Unit: | Law School |
| Department: | Law School |
| City: | Washington |
| State: | DC |
| Country: | United States |
| External Funding: | No |
| Start Date: | 2008-01 |
| End Date: | active |
| External Partners: | U.S. Congress; State Department; Department of Justice; Homeland Security; White House; World Bank; Organization of American States (OAS); Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; Human Rights Watch; Amnesty International; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL); Open Society Foundations; Human Rights First; Disability Rights International; National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty; Due Process of Law Foundation; Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights; United Nations Foundation; Solidarity Center; Free the Slaves; International Corporate Accountability Roundtable; Council on Global Equality; Earth Rights International; LeClair Ryan |
| Are UB students involved? | Yes |
