Peace and Justice at the International Criminal Court: Looking at the Past, Present and Future With Professor Errol Mendes - May 14, 2012 - Ottawa

Highly off topic for this blog but highly on topic for all serious policy wonks and jurists. Note this highly recommended event on May 14, 2012 in Ottawa that I am pleased to have organized: 

The Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs Ottawa Roundtables Present Peace and Justice at the International Criminal Court: Looking at the Past, Present and Future With Professor Errol Mendes Date:          Monday, May 14, 2012 Location:   Gowling's Boardroom, 26th Floor Address:   160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON Time:         7:00pm - 9:00 pm Cost:          $39.55 (35 + HST) / students $22.60 (20 + HST)                    prepayment is required                    (space is limited so book now!) RSVP:        couch@couchiching.ca or call:       416-494-1440 Ext: 225                    Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served                In some of the recent and most historic civil conflicts around the world today from Libya, Sudan and today in Syria, a common dilemma facing those countries and the international community is whether attempts to resolve conflicts peacefully should always take priority over any attempts to bring those who have committed mass atrocities to justice. This has become also one of the biggest challenges facing the International Criminal Court which has faced criticism that its focus on bringing those most responsible for such atrocities to justice has undermined peace attempts in countries like Sudan and Uganda. Professor Mendes will discuss whether this is a false dilemma and that in many situations of mass atrocities there is really not a zero sum game between peace and justice. He will focus in particular on the present attempts to bring the top leaders accused of crimes against humanity in Sudan, Uganda and possible future attempts against the present leaders in Syria. About Prof. Errol Mendes: Professor Mendes is a lawyer, author, professor and has been an advisor to corporations, governments, civil society groups and the United Nations where he assisted in the development of the UN Global Compact.  He has also served  in a quasi-judicial role  as a human rights Tribunal member in Canada, acted as an international commercial  arbitrator, served in the highest levels of the Canadian federal public service in the Privy Council Office and most recently served  as a Visiting Professional at the International Criminal Court. His areas of expertise include corporate law and governance, long term value as a business strategy, corporate responsibility, international business and trade law, constitutional and human rights law and policy. He has taught in these areas at law schools across Canada and is presently a full professor of Law at the University of Ottawa. He has lead projects  for conflict resolution, corporate social responsibility assurance,  governance and justice projects in  Brazil, China, El Salvador, Indonesia, Peru, Sri Lanka and  Thailand,. He has lectured and given media commentaries in his areas of expertise across Canada and in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America in his area of expertise. He is the author, co-author or editor of seven books in his area of expertise, including his latest titled “The Court of Last Resort; Peace and Justice at the International Criminal Court.” 2010. Limited seating, please RSVP: couch@couchichinginstitute.ca or call 416-494-1440, ext. 225. The Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs neither advocates any position nor lobbies for action. Its mandate is to provide a civil place to disagree, fostering healthy, informed discussion on the issues of the day. www.couchichinginstitute.ca The Couchiching Institute is grateful to Earnscliffe Strategy Group and Gowlings for their sponsorship of the Ottawa Roundtables. If you would no longer like to receive these emails, please reply to this email with the word "remove" in the subject line. Si vous ne voulez plus recevoir ce courriel, svp répondre à ce message en indiquant "enlevez mon nom de la liste" dans le titre du message.