The Second Annual African Justice Initiative Symposium

The Second Annual African Justice Initiative Symposium

Presented by the African Justice Initiative
March 1, 2011 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Room 603

Africa’s history of rich oil reserves in countries like Nigeria and Egypt, and the recent discovery of new oil in countries like Ghana and Uganda, has placed the African continent front and center on the world oil and gas map. As transnational oil companies set their sights on these new oil reserves, we address the damage already caused in African communities by oil spills that dwarf the BP and Exxon Valdez spills. Speakers from the affected African communities, environmental and human rights organizations, law firms, and law school faculty, speak about the oil crises and access to legal redress.

Keynote Speaker:
Omoyele Sowore - Mr. Sowore is a Nigerian Journalist and Human Rights Activist who has previously been jailed and tortured. Among other things, Mr. Sowore works to promote human rights and democracy in Nigeria in relation to oil exploration.

Panelists:
Judith Chomsky - Ms. Chomsky is a renowned American Human Rights Attorney. She represented the Saro-Wiwa family in Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, concerning the summary execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others.

Andrew Ndubisi Ucheomumu – Mr. Ucheomumu is a Nigerian attorney practicing in Maryland and WCL Alumnus. He is currently authoring several books about Africa, Law and Development, among other issues.

Professor Perry Wallace – Professor Wallace is a Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law. He specializes in Corporate Law and Finance, Environmental Law, and International Arbitration.

Moderator:
Professor Daniel Bradlow - Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law.

General Registration, no charge. CLE Accreditation (1.5 hours) will be applied for – CLE Registration, $55). To register, please go to www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration.

For further information, contact: Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education, 202.274.4075 or secle@wcl.american.edu.