The Society of International Economic Law (SIEL) is an organization that represents academically minded practitioners in the field of international economic law. The Society’s African chapter was re-launched at the Society’s biannual conference held in Barcelona, Spain in July 2010. The African chapter’s first conference will be held in South Africa in May 2011. The conference’s goal is to bring together work-in-progress on all aspects of trade, investment and finance relating to Africa.
Hilton Lambert is pleased to support this event which is being hosted by the renowned Mandela Institute based at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. The Institute is a fitting host as Nelson Mandela himself addressed the WTO at the 50th anniversary of the GATT back in 1998, stating that:
‘Developing countries must accept that we want to be fully part of the WTO, and that that includes improving the management of the world trading system to ensure that our economies do develop. These are complex matters, and in dealing with such matters there are no easy solutions. But where there is a determination to find joint, negotiated, solutions then there is a way.’
We fully concur and thus we retain an active role in several African law schools in fostering young talent in the trade law field. We thus support the endeavours of the SIEL African chapter in showcasing an Afro-centric view on the latest developments in international economic law.
This article serves to draw your attention to the call for contributions which is open to scholars, practitioners, experts and students from around the continent – the unifying theme being the African approach to international economic law. Proposals for papers may be on any international economic law topic relating to Africa, recognising the fact that this conference will also mark the official launch of the African International Economic Law Network.
Hilton Zunckel is serving on the organizing committee and would like to encourage your participation in this landmark event, via the preparation of a paper, a sponsorship or through your attendance at the event.