Posted by BlueLaw on June 30, 2011
BlueLaw Human Right and Inclusive Development Partner Janet Lord served as teaching faculty at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, National University of Ireland, Galway from 6-11 June 2011. The Summer School, sponsored by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy and co-hosted by the Harvard Law School Project on Disability, had as its theme the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – From Paper to Action and included more than 50 participants from 18 countries in an intensive six day course to equip participants with the insights and skills necessary to translate the generalities of the treaty into tangible reform.
For more information, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/summer_school/welcome.html
PRACTICE INVOLVED: Human Rights & Disability Inclusive Development
TAGS: Centre for Disability Law and Policiy, Harvard Law School Project on Disability, Janet Lord, National University of Ireland
Posted by BlueLaw on June 9, 2011
BlueLaw justice and security experts Greg Gisvold and Andrew Solomon conducted a survey of criminal justice reform and assistance programs in Kosovo from May 16-25, 2011. The survey identified a series of leading practices and innovative approaches in designing and implementing programs to strengthen the effectiveness and accountability of Kosovo’s justice and police systems.
While in Kosovo, Greg and Andrew met with senior US Embassy officials along with State Department, Department of Justice, USAID, and EULEX personnel responsible for rule of law programs. Meetings were also conducted with Kosovar officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Kosovo Police Service.
Greg and Andrew are pictured to the right with State/INL Program Officer Sarah Logan during a visit to the Kosovo Center for Public Safety Education and Development (KCPSED) in Vushtrri/Vucitern.
PRACTICE INVOLVED: Security & Justice
TAGS: Andrew Solomon, Criminal Justice, Greg Gisvold, Justice, Kosovo, Police, Post-Conflict, Rule of Law, State Department
Posted by BlueLaw on June 1, 2011
In May Kathleen Coogan, a Director in BlueLaw International’s Security & Justice Practice, journeyed to Morocco with a BlueLaw team of advisors to work with the Director of the Transnational Crime Affairs Section at the US Embassy in Rabat. The purpose of the visit was to develop specific proposals for improving the Moroccan juvenile justice system. As part of an initiative funded by the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), BlueLaw will work with Moroccan leaders and justice stakeholders to improve conditions and services in the Centres de Sauvegarde de l’Enfance, child protection centers (CPCs). The CPCs were created to provide juvenile offenders from the ages of 12 through 18 with an alternative to the prison system. Approximately 20 such centers exist throughout the country, many built more than 50 years ago. The BlueLaw team was given open access to visit the centers and met with a broad spectrum of government officials and child advocates.
PRACTICE INVOLVED: Security & Justice
TAGS: Centres de Sauvegarde de l'Enfance, child protection centers, Kathleen Coogan, Morocco, Rabat, Transnational Crime Affairs
Posted by BlueLaw on May 30, 2011
BlueLaw provided pre-event planning management and on-site staffing in support of the jointly-sponsored European Union/ INL “Trans-Atlantic Symposium on Dismantling Transnational Illicit Networks.” BlueLaw Security & Justice Practice staff (Outreach and Program Officer, Noel Munson; Project Manager, Sarah Fowkes; Project Manager, Matt Burns) provided expertise to INL and EU counterparts in planning symposium goals and scope, executing conference logistics, creating branding and marketing materials, and providing on-site support during the 300+ person event held in May, 2011 in Lisbon, Portugal.
PRACTICE INVOLVED: Security & Justice
TAGS: Matt Burns, Noel Munson, Portugal, Sarah Fowkes
Posted by BlueLaw on
In May 2011, BlueLaw Human Rights and Disability Practice Director, Allison deFranco conducted the final evaluation of World Vision’s “Building DPO Outreach for Greater Disability Inclusiveness” project. The 33 month USAID funded project worked with local DPOs and NGOs to create a more inclusive and accessible society for people with disabilities. The project aimed to change attitudes and raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities by implementing inclusive education in six communities throughout the country. Ms. deFranco visited project sites in Alaverdi, Stepanavan, Gyumri, and Yerevan to meet with project participants and beneficiaries. The final evaluation reviewed the project’s overall effectiveness in meeting its stated outcomes and analyzed its sustainability beyond project close out.
PRACTICE INVOLVED: Human Rights & Disability Inclusive Development
TAGS: Alaverdi, Allison deFranco, Gyumri, Stepanavan, USAID, Yerevan
