Tag: World Law Congress

S.M. el Rey entrega el World Peace and Liberty Award a Andrew Young, icono de los derechos civiles en EEUU

Se trata del máximo galardón que entrega la World Jurist Association y reconoce el trabajo de Young por ser “líder de la lucha de los derechos civiles y parte de la historia contemporánea de Estados Unidos y del mundo en su lucha por los derechos humanos”.

Durante la jornada se han entregado también las Medallas de Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg 2023 a Navi Pillay, Lady Brenda Hale, Ambiga Sreenevasan, Imrana Jalal y Asifa Kakar.

Su Majestad el Rey ha entregado el World Liberty & Peace Award a Andrew Young, destacado líder de los derechos civiles estadounidenses. El máximo galardón que concede la World Jurist Association (WJA) y que está considerado como el Premio Nobel del derecho. En palabras de S.M. el Rey, Andrew Young “ha contribuido a cambiar a mejor el curso de la historia de Estados Unidos y lo hizo con su propia experiencia y con el esfuerzo de toda una vida; el servicio a los demás ha definido su carrera siempre con un espíritu de humildad, pacifismo y serenidad”.

Al recoger su galardón, Andrew Young ha asegurado que “estoy dispuesto a seguir dándole duro, con su confianza y la fe en la justicia y esa voluntad de trabajar en favor del derecho”.

Por su parte, Javier Cremades, presidente de la World Jurist Association (WJA) ha señalado que “es un líder de la lucha de los derechos civiles y parte de la historia contemporánea de Estados Unidos y del mundo en su batalla por los derechos humanos”. En esta línea ha afirmado que este reconocimiento busca resaltar la labor internacional de Young en favor del “progreso social, político y económico de los oprimidos de todo el mundo”. Y ha añadido que “Young representa los valores de la World Jurist Association porque a lo largo de toda su carrera profesional ha sido un ejemplo para la humanidad por su defensa del Estado de Derecho”.

La laudatio ha corrido a cargo de Leonel Fernández, presidente de la República Dominicana entre los años 1996 y 2000 y entre 2004 y 2012, quien ha concluido subrayando que se trata de “una poderosa voz para la paz, un verdadero modelo para todos los que persiguen la prosperidad y el bienestar”. Y ha reconocido “su liderazgo y su incansable dedicación en favor de la dignidad humana, la justicia y la igualdad”.

Esta jornada, que se ha celebrado con motivo de la Opening Session Madrid como antesala al World Law Congress Nueva York 2023, ha tenido como protagonistas a las premiadas con las Medallas de Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg que concede la World Jurist Association y que se han entregado por segunda vez. Se trata de un reconocimiento que han recibido Brenda Hale, presidenta del Tribunal Supremo de Reino Unido entre 2017 y 2020 y primera mujer en desempeñar este cargo, Ambiga Sreenevasan, abogada, activista malaya por elecciones libres, por los derechos de la mujer y defensora de los derechos humanos, Imrana Jalal, presidenta del Panel de Inspección del Banco Mundial, abogada especializada en derechos humanos y fundadora del movimiento por la equidad de género en su natal Fiyi, Asifa Kakar, jueza de la Corte Suprema de Afganistán y miembro de la Comisión redactora de la Constitución de Afganistán en 2003, en nombre de la Asociación de Juezas Afganas Refugiadas, y Navi Pillay, jueza de la Corte Penal Internacional entre 2003 y 2008, alta comisionada de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos entre 2008 y 2014 y presidenta del Tribunal Penal Internacional para Ruanda. Pillay ha recogido este año en persona la medalla que le fue entregada en 2021 y que aceptó de forma virtual debido a las restricciones de viaje establecidas en ese momento.

El encargado de clausurar el acto junto a S.M. el Rey ha sido Didier Reynders, Comisario europeo de Justicia, quien ha destacado la importancia de “rendir un homenaje a mujeres excepcionales que han promovido el estado de derecho y la igualdad, que han demostrado una persistencia y una capacidad sin precedentes para favorecer la paz y la justicia”. Sobre el galardón concedido a Andrew Young, ha dicho que “es verdaderamente admirable que se reconozca la trayectoria y su lucha contra la opresión, que ha sido encomiable”.

World Law Congress New York 2023

Durante el día de hoy se ha presentado, además, la 28ª edición del World Law Congress (WLC) que se celebrará en Nueva York el 20 y 21 de julio y que coincide con el 60 aniversario de la Fundación.

Con motivo de este próximo evento, S.M el Rey ha señalado la importancia que tiene cada nueva edición del WLC puesto que “el aprendizaje mutuo y el intercambio de ideas y conceptos jurídicos son cruciales para construir un consenso jurídico mundial basado en la dignidad inherente a todas las personas y que, por tanto, la reconozca”. Para Su Majestad, el nombre de la próxima edición del congreso La Paz a través del derecho “se convierte en una llamada a abrazar el Derecho en un mundo cada vez más convulso; muchas partes del mundo están sufriendo una erosión en el funcionamiento y la adhesión a la democracia, lo que también debilita naturalmente el Estado de Derecho. Lo que está en juego es la preservación del mejor modelo que la civilización ha creado para garantizar la coexistencia pacífica: un Estado constitucional y democrático de Derecho”.

Rule of Law Digital Center Madrid

 La Opening Session Madrid 2023 ha sido el escenario también para la inauguración del Rule of Law Digital Center Madrid, el primer centro para la promoción del Estado de Derecho que pone en marcha la World Law Foundation (WLF) y la World Jurist Association en colaboración con el bufete de abogados Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo. Nace con el objetivo de ser un escaparate, una ventana física y digital al mundo a través de la cual la WLF, la WJA y las comunidades jurídicas y empresariales internacionales puedan unir sus fuerzas y llevar a cabo acciones comunes para promover el Estado de Derecho y tener un impacto positivo en la sociedad.

Cremades ha reconocido que “el estado de derecho es el máximo bastión para defender a los ciudadanos y difundir este concepto es indispensable para mantener el imperio de la ley”. Al respecto, Su Majestad el Rey ha asegurado que “realmente representa un paso más de la comunidad jurídica internacional para avanzar, para adaptarse y adecuar sus capacidades a través de los medios digitales, con el fin de mantener el rumbo de la causa de la justicia, y navegar a través de estos tiempos de rápidos cambios”. Es por ello que “Madrid se convierte así en una de las grandes capitales mundiales del Derecho, y en un punto de encuentro abierto a la conversación y al diálogo”. Este nuevo espacio será el escenario de una campaña permanente en defensa de la paz y la libertad, con el Derecho como la herramienta más fundamental para conseguirlo”.

links en medios de comunicación online:

Andrew Young recibe el World Peace and Liberty Award (lawyerpress)

Santo Domingo será sede de la Conferencia Mundial de Derecho en 2025 (elperiodico.com.do)

Santo Domingo será la capital mundial del Derecho (acento.com.do)

Felipe VI entrega el Premio Mundial de la Paz y la Libertad a Andrew Young (epe.es)

Andrew Young, Premio Mundial de la Paz y la Libertad (Telemadrid)

Felipe VI entrega el Premio de la Paz y la Libertad a Andrew Young, colaborador de Martin Luther King (RTVE)

El comisario de Justicia pide ante el Rey que se renueve el CGPJ y se cambie el sistema “antes” de que España presida la UE el 1 de julio (El mundo)

La World Jurist Association entregará el World Peace and Liberty Award a Andrew Young, ícono de los derechos civiles en EEUU

>> Se trata del máximo galardón que entrega la WJA y reconoce el trabajo de Young por “el progreso social, político y económico de los oprimidos de todo el mundo”

>> Andrew Young, más cercano colaborador de Martin Luther King Jr., fue el primer embajador afroamericano de EE. UU. ante la ONU, quien también impulsó las leyes estadounidenses de Derechos Civiles y de Derecho al Voto

>> La distinción será entregada por S.M. Felipe VI el 8 de mayo en Madrid durante la presentación del World Law Congress New York 2023 en la inauguración del Rule of Law Digital Center

>> En el evento, la WJA también entregará las Medallas de Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg 2023 a mujeres juristas de destacada trayectoria, como Navi Pillay, Alta Comisionada de la ONU para los DDHH (2008-2014), y Lady Brenda Hale, primera presidente mujer de la Corte Suprema del Reino Unido.

El próximo 8 de mayo la World Jurist Association (WJA) entregará al destacado líder de los derechos civiles estadounidense Andrew Young su máximo galardón: el World Peace and Liberty Award. Se trata de un reconocimiento que, tal como explican desde la asociación, busca resaltar la labor internacional de Young en favor del “progreso social, político y económico de los oprimidos de todo el mundo”.

Nacido en Estados Unidos en 1932, Andrew Young es político, diplomático y activista por los derechos civiles y humanos. Fue el colaborador más cercano a Martin Luther King Jr., quien falleció a su lado https://youtu.be/LqIjO1Qqxcsc

Young participó en la redacción de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y en la Ley de Derecho al Voto de 1965 de su país, y fue nombrado vicepresidente ejecutivo de la Conferencia de Liderazgo Cristiano del Sur (1968-1970), tras la muerte de King.

Congresista por Georgia, Young fue el primer embajador afroamericano de Estados Unidos ante las Naciones Unidas. Desde allí promovió la protección de los derechos humanos y el progreso económico en los países subdesarrollados del mundo, y su labor hizo que esto se convirtiera en objetivo de la política exterior del presidente estadounidense Jimmy Carter.

Fue alcalde de Atlanta en 1982-1990, desarrollando la ciudad para convertirse en la Sede de los Juegos Olímpicos.

En 1994, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela y el Congreso de los Estados Unidos crearon el Fondo de Desarrollo Empresarial de África Meridional (SAEDF), presidido por Andrew Young. El Fondo tiene el propósito proporcionar financiación para estimular la creación y expansión de pequeñas y medianas empresas indígenas en todo el sur de África.

En 2003 fundó la Fundación Andrew Young, destinada a apoyar y promover la educación, la salud, el liderazgo y los derechos humanos en los Estados Unidos, África y el Caribe.

“Young representa los valores de la World Jurist Association. A lo largo de toda su carrera profesional ha sido un ejemplo para la humanidad por su defensa del Estado de Derecho y, por ello, para nosotros es un orgullo entregarle este galardón”, ha asegurado el presidente de la WJA, Javier Cremades.

El Nobel del Derecho

El World Peace and Liberty Award es el máximo galardón que concede la World Jurist Association, conocido como el Premio Nobel del Derecho. Se concede a personalidades e instituciones mundiales que se han distinguido por su compromiso con la promoción de la paz a través del Derecho y del Estado de Derecho como garante de la libertad.

En el pasado, este premio ha sido entregado a figuras destacadas como Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, René Cassin, Felipe VI Rey de España, Ruth Bader Ginsburg y, en su última edición, a la sociedad colombiana, en manos de su entonces presidente Iván Duque.

En esta oportunidad, S.M. Felipe VI Rey de España y el Comisario de Justicia de la Unión Europea, Didier Reynders, serán los encargados de entregar el galardón a Young.

Opening Session Madrid

La ceremonia de entrega del World Peace and Liberty Award a Andrew Young será el cierre de la Opening Session Madrid que servirá como marco para la presentación del World Law Congress que se realizará en Nueva York el 20 y 21 de julio. De igual forma, se inaugurará el Rule of Law Digital Center Madrid, el primero de los centros para la promoción del Estado de Derecho en el mundo que inaugurará la World Law Foundation.

Durante el nutrido programa de la Opening Session Madrid, también se entregarán las Medallas de Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg de la WJA 2023. Un galardón que recibirán Lady Brenda Hale, presidenta del Tribunal Supremo del Reino Unido 2017-2020 y primera mujer en desempeñar este cargo; Ambiga Sreenevasan, abogada, activista malaya por elecciones libres, por los derechos de la mujer y defensora de los derechos humanos; Imrana Jalal, presidenta del Panel de Inspección del Banco Mundial, abogada especializada en derechos humanos y fundadora del movimiento por la equidad de género en su natal Fiyi; Asifa Kakar, Jueza de la Corte Suprema de Afganistán y miembro de la Comisión redactora de la Constitución de Afganistán en 2003, en nombre de la Asociación de Juezas Afganas Refugiadas.

Además, Navi Pillay, Alta Comisionada de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos 2008-2014, jueza de la Corte Penal Internacional 2003-2008, y presidenta del Tribunal Penal Internacional para Ruanda, recibirá en persona la Medalla de Honor RBG en 2021, la cual aceptó virtualmente en su momento dadas las restricciones de viaje ese año.

Opening Session Mexico “Rule of Law and Greenhouse Emissions”

On March 16, 2023, the World Jurist Association (WJA) held the Opening Session Mexico of the upcoming World Law Congress New York 2023. The conference took place within the framework of the WJA’s Energy and Climate Transition Forum.

Under the title “Rule of Law and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: National Commitments in the Western World“, the panel addressed relevant legal aspects of the energy transition, with a focus on Nationally Determined Contributions for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The panel also discussed the importance of the energy transition as a necessary tool to improve air quality; the need to migrate from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources; and the key role of the Rule of Law in this process.

The Opening Session Mexico was moderated by Héctor Herrera, Founding Partner of Herrera y Sato and President of the Mexican Bar Association (2019-2021). Rule of Law, key to curbing humankind effects on the environment.

Javier Cremades, President of the World Jurist Association, was in charge of opening the meeting, highlighting the importance of the Rule of Law to guarantee a global response to the great challenge that humanity is currently facing with emission levels.

Subsequently, Héctor Herrera (Mexico), explained how greenhouse gas emissions affect all countries in the world, stressing the importance of complying with the Nationally Determined Contributions to reduce them. “This is a global emergency that needs coordinated solutions,” he said.

Carrie Gaard (Argentina), Founder of Carrie Gaard Bureau, an expert in environmental management, made an analysis of how in the last century gas emissions have been gradually increasing, calling for the need to take actions in which all countries are involved. Gaard also stated that current objectives and policies are insufficient to achieve the goals set to curb climate change.

Lucila (Luli) Hemmingsen (USA), Partner at King & Spalding, and member of the International Arbitration Practice Group, referred to the situation in the United States, the second largest energy consumer in the world. Hemmingsen explained that the U.S. is far from achieving its environmental goals. “Current U.S. policies will only reach 20-30% of its Nationally Determined Contribution by 2025,” she warned. Adding, furthermore, that to reach its commitments, additional regulation and healthier economic development are urgently needed.

Lucio Ghia (Italy), President of the World Association of Jurists (1995-1997) and Founding Partner of Studio Legale Ghia, also participated in this meeting, highlighting that “climate change represents a threat to humanity that requires a comprehensive ecological policy, in which companies are also involved”. He also explained how environmental policy affects human and business activities, and highlighted how the law can become an incentive for companies to take measures to reduce their carbon footprint, offering them in return credit benefits, for example.

Meanwhile, Luis Fernando Macías (Colombia), Founding Partner of Macías Gómez & Asociados, founding member and former Head of the Legal Office of the Colombian Ministry of Environment, assured that “climate change represents a challenge for the Rule of Law because of the effects it has, especially in poor countries, such as Colombia, which find it difficult to comply with the objectives of the Paris Agreement”. In addition, Macías clarified how many aspects of our lives are a consequence of climate change and, therefore, there is a need to rely on the Rule of Law and democracy to control and mitigate this situation.

Diego Solana (Spain), International Advisor of the World Law Foundation and Program Coordinator of the World Law Congress, oversaw the closing of the Opening Session Mexico. He emphasized the importance of holding such debates, which will continue at the World Law Congress New York 2023, to be held on July 20 and 21.

He also announced the opening of registration at the World Law Congress New York 2023 to professionals, activists, and students around the world, through the website www.worldlawcongress.com and invited everyone to participate in this major global legal meeting. In addition to environmental and energy law issues, topics such as freedom of expression in the digital world, the regulation of stable cryptocurrencies, judicial independence, gender equality, and arbitration, among many others, will be addressed at the Congress.

 

 

Opening Session Sydney on the “Brasilia Declaration of Judges on Water Justice”

The World Jurist Association (WJA) organized on February 9 the Opening Session Sydney about the “Brasilia Declaration of Judges on Water Justice”, featuring academic referents and prestigious professionals from different parts of the world. The online conference analyzed the basic principles of the Brasilia Declaration to promote water justice through the application of water legislation and the rule of law in environmental matters. This debate gave continuity to the Permanent Forum on Energy Transition and Climate that will culminate in the 28th edition of the World Law Congress to be held on July 20-21, 2023, in New York.

Teodora Toma, Executive Director of the WJA, introduced the forum contextualizing the importance of water in our lives and the need to use it wisely. For years, water scarcity has been a problem aggravated by waste, pollution, and unsustainable management.

Brian Preston, Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, Australia, started by introducing the ten principles of the Brasilia Declaration. In his view, Principle 1 is the most relevant; it emphasizes that water should be recognized as a good of public interest, given that the State should exercise the management of all water resources and protect them together with their associated ecological functions, for the benefit of present and future generations. This principle also promotes the importance of intergenerational equity, and “governments have a responsibility to manage water resources for present and future generations”.

Judge Preston explained that principle 4 seeks to avoid costly measures to rehabilitate, treat or develop new water supplies or related ecosystems. The prevention of future damage to water resources and related ecosystems should take precedence over the repair of damage, considering the best available technologies and best environmental practices. As per principle 5, he detailed that “despite scientific uncertainty or complexity about the existence of serious or irreversible damage to water, human health or the environment, or risks of such damage, a judge should take the necessary protective measures, taking into account the best available scientific evidence”. Finally, he emphasized principle 8, water justice and good water governance, explaining that the existence of good water legislation and its enforcement are essential for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of water resources and related ecosystems.

Stephano Burchi, President of the International Association for Water Law (AIDA), explained how the Brasilia Declaration made members of the Judiciary aware of the scope of this problem. “The Declaration is a legally binding instrument; however, it has already been introduced, inspired and incorporated into the jurisprudence of different jurisdictions around the world”. He then stressed that the concept of water justice has several complementary angles: legal, institutional, social, and ecological equity.

Afterwards, Kunzang Kunzang, Legal Director of the National Environment Commission of Bhutan, clarified the relevance of Principle 2 of the Declaration, which involves land use and ecological function of property, she detailed that every person entitled to use water resources or land has a duty to maintain the ecological functions and integrity of water resources and ecosystems. Principle 7, on the other hand, states that the polluter pays, the user pays, and that environmental costs and externalities should be international. It states that “environmental factors should be included in the assessment and pricing of water resources and their services. In this way, for example, those who cause water pollution and ecosystem degradation should bear the costs of pollution”.

Barbara van Kopper, Emeritus Scientist on Poverty, Gender and Water at the International Water Management Institute, explained principle 3, which deals concerns the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples to water resources and related ecosystems, which should be respected along with their traditional relations and customs with these resources and ecosystems.

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Digital Resources for Climate Law

Digital Resources for Climate Law

On December 1, the World Jurist Association (WJA) and World Law Foundation (WLF) organized the Opening Session London of the World Law Congress New York 2023. Co-organized with Climate Policy Radar, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment of the London School of Economics, and Laws Africa, environmental law experts discussed about open source “Digital Resources for Climate Law”.

The online session addressed how digital technology can facilitate the effective use of legal data for climate law research, policy making and litigation. All of this, with a focus on protecting human rights and preserving the Rule of Law around the world.

In his introduction, Diego Solana, international advisor of the World Law Foundation, contextualized the current European energy crisis derived from the invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing its great impact on the economy and the Rule of Law. Likewise, he pointed out that this debate is a continuation of the Permanent Forum on Energy Transition and Climate, which will culminate in the World Law Congress New York 2023, to be held on July 20 and 21, 2023.

Open access to climate data and legislation is a guarantee of rights

The panel was chaired by Lord Robert Carnwath, former judge of the UK Supreme Court, member of Landmark Chambers and associate professor at the LSE Grantham Research Institute. Panelists included Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University and leader of Climate Change Litigation Database, USA; Michal Nachmany, CEO and founder of Climate Policy Radar, UK; Greg Kempe, Chief Technical Officer and co-founder of Laws.Africa; and Catherine Higham, Coordinator of the Climate Change Laws of the World program at the LSE Grantham Research Institute.

After commenting on the relevance of access to climate legislation, case studies and jurisprudence for all nations, the former British judge gave the floor to Michael Gerrard, who presented two databases on climate change litigation that he and his team began working on in 2007. This exhaustive research also refers, with the United States as a sample for analysis, to the legal models for the pursuit of decarbonization and climate regulation around the world. “With these databases we have found the particularity that they can be used globally for climate litigation and their usefulness and functionality for society lies in the fact that they are freely accessible in all parts of the world.”

After a round of questions to Gerrard on the challenges and limitations in research, Carnwath passed the floor to Michal Nachmany, who explained that “sharing knowledge” was the “motivation” for starting Climate Policy Radar, a contribution to the academic community, but also to society. “We are building the world’s largest and most comprehensive open knowledge base on climate policy, law and litigation.” The database is structured, intuitive, available in multiple languages, and is also “open source and free”, which allows “discovering national climate legislation from any country of the world”.

Greg Kemple then stressed that, in Africa, there is no transparency or free access to the country’s own climate laws, which is a barrier to securing rights. This is a challenge that requires special attention, especially considering that the effects of climate change in African countries are greater than in other latitudes. Considering that the fundamentals for the use of legal information are impact, use, understanding, access, knowledge, and availability, Kemple ended his speech by stressing that “enabling free and effective access to the law is essential for government, administration, business, the fight against corruption, the environment, and human rights”.

After Carnwath’s review of the presentation, the floor was given to Catherine Higham who emphasized the need for lawyers to be updated and aware of the uses of artificial intelligence, technology and the different open access databases presented throughout the session. The coordinator of Climate Change Laws of the World focused on the global and individual importance of climate legislation and practical cases, pointing out as a problem that “not all countries in the world have access to legal data on climate policies and laws”. Therefore, it is necessary to understand “what is the impact of failing in a climate case against cooperation” and the importance of an international consensus agreeing the digitization and liberalization of information on climate litigation.

At the end, after a final presentation of ideas by the speakers and a debate on the subject, Diego Solana concluded the session by explaining the importance of experts in international and climate law. He also emphasized the importance of raising awareness and freeing access to databases on climate laws and enabling the development of the Rule of Law in different countries around the world, such as Africa. To conclude the Opening Session, Solana stated: “if it is not accessible, it does not exist“.

FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBEhttps://youtu.be/EvcEikQ4zEU

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The World Law Congress Awarded Best International Legal Initiative

The recognition has been awarded at the Legal Marcom National Law Gala 2022, the first Spanish-speaking awards that honor professionals in the sector.

The World Law Congress was recognized as the Best International Legal Initiative at the Legal Marcom 2022 Awards. The jury, comprised of 40 general counsels of prestigious transnational companies in Spain and legal journalists, awarded 28 prizes in twelve categories for Spain and Latin America.

At a different country every two years, the World Law Congress brings together different legal organizations that focus on the Rule of Law as a guarantor of freedom and development for nations. Given the great leading role of the Organizing Committee, the last editions of the congress gathered more than 2,000 leaders from around the five continents. Panelists include heads of State, presidents of international and national courts, judges, academics, lawyers, journalists, politicians, businesspeople, and students, who discussed topics as diverse as human rights, regulations for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, refugee crisis, democracy, high education trends, climate change, mediation, intellectual property, among many others. 

The Legal Marcom 2022 National Law Gala is an “enriching meeting point for the legal sector”, as Marc Gericó, managing partner of Gericó Associates, points out, and “a benchmark in the legal world”, according to Fernando Díaz Barco, member of the jury and director of Legal Counsel at Sacyr. About the 28 awards presented, Ana Prado, general counsel of Mercedes-Benz Spain, emphasized that “it was very difficult to decide as there were many very good candidates”, emphasizing “the great initiative and the good health of the sector”.