okay thank you and thank you so much to the organizers for this invitation and
the organizers for this invitation and
the organizers for this invitation and it’s really a pleasure to be here to
it’s really a pleasure to be here to
it’s really a pleasure to be here to share some perspectives from a topic I’m
share some perspectives from a topic I’m
share some perspectives from a topic I’m very passionate about international law
very passionate about international law
very passionate about international law and I’m speaking today in my personal
and I’m speaking today in my personal
and I’m speaking today in my personal capacity and not on behalf of any
capacity and not on behalf of any
capacity and not on behalf of any institution but I’m speaking from my
institution but I’m speaking from my
institution but I’m speaking from my experiences in various international
experiences in various international
experiences in various international organizations in the Hague in New York
organizations in the Hague in New York
organizations in the Hague in New York and Geneva and elsewhere so I want to
and Geneva and elsewhere so I want to
and Geneva and elsewhere so I want to share some thoughts today on how
share some thoughts today on how
share some thoughts today on how contemporary international law might be
contemporary international law might be
contemporary international law might be a source of inspiration and might give
a source of inspiration and might give
a source of inspiration and might give us some insights in terms of what it is
us some insights in terms of what it is
us some insights in terms of what it is to be human in the 21st century and how
to be human in the 21st century and how
to be human in the 21st century and how we might define our common future
we might define our common future
we might define our common future together
together
together so today it’s it’s a truism it’s very
so today it’s it’s a truism it’s very
so today it’s it’s a truism it’s very well known that we live in an
well known that we live in an
well known that we live in an interconnected world our personal lives
interconnected world our personal lives
interconnected world our personal lives our families businesses are connected to
our families businesses are connected to
our families businesses are connected to multiple countries at the global level
multiple countries at the global level
multiple countries at the global level just by using the internet for example
just by using the internet for example
just by using the internet for example we can be connected to jurisdictions
we can be connected to jurisdictions
we can be connected to jurisdictions around the world however despite this
around the world however despite this
around the world however despite this reality the general public around the
reality the general public around the
reality the general public around the world doesn’t this is I know
world doesn’t this is I know
world doesn’t this is I know the fundamental tenants of the
the fundamental tenants of the
the fundamental tenants of the international legal system and
international legal system and
international legal system and international law remains something
international law remains something
international law remains something quite remote to ordinary citizens also
quite remote to ordinary citizens also
quite remote to ordinary citizens also sorry so so what it is to be human and
sorry so so what it is to be human and
sorry so so what it is to be human and and in particular what it is to form an
and in particular what it is to form an
and in particular what it is to form an international legal order based on the
international legal order based on the
international legal order based on the rule of law so who are we so firstly
rule of law so who are we so firstly
rule of law so who are we so firstly I’ll share this quote from Hans Kelsen
I’ll share this quote from Hans Kelsen
I’ll share this quote from Hans Kelsen who suggested that law is essentially in
who suggested that law is essentially in
who suggested that law is essentially in order for the promotion of peace its
order for the promotion of peace its
order for the promotion of peace its purpose is to assure the peaceful living
purpose is to assure the peaceful living
purpose is to assure the peaceful living together of a group of individuals in
together of a group of individuals in
together of a group of individuals in such a way that they settle their
such a way that they settle their
such a way that they settle their conflicts with in a peaceful manner that
conflicts with in a peaceful manner that
conflicts with in a peaceful manner that is without the use of force in
is without the use of force in
is without the use of force in conformity with an order valid for all
conformity with an order valid for all
conformity with an order valid for all this order is the law so we take this
this order is the law so we take this
this order is the law so we take this principle of the rule of law for granted
principle of the rule of law for granted
principle of the rule of law for granted in
in
in national systems for example in Canada
national systems for example in Canada
national systems for example in Canada where I was raised or the Netherlands
where I was raised or the Netherlands
where I was raised or the Netherlands where I now live we expect that there
where I now live we expect that there
where I now live we expect that there will for example in general would be the
will for example in general would be the
will for example in general would be the laws of the land enforced there will be
laws of the land enforced there will be
laws of the land enforced there will be criminal prosecutions
criminal prosecutions
criminal prosecutions however when Hans Kelsen made this
however when Hans Kelsen made this
however when Hans Kelsen made this comment it was in a series of lectures
comment it was in a series of lectures
comment it was in a series of lectures at Harvard Law School in 1940 and 41 he
at Harvard Law School in 1940 and 41 he
at Harvard Law School in 1940 and 41 he noted in the international legal order
noted in the international legal order
noted in the international legal order it still did not represent the
it still did not represent the
it still did not represent the characteristics of a general system of
characteristics of a general system of
characteristics of a general system of international rule of law that we would
international rule of law that we would
international rule of law that we would find in a domestic system so he noted
find in a domestic system so he noted
find in a domestic system so he noted how the international legal system was
how the international legal system was
how the international legal system was primitive in fact a primitive legal
primitive in fact a primitive legal
primitive in fact a primitive legal order where or not a legal order at all
order where or not a legal order at all
order where or not a legal order at all where States for example would use force
where States for example would use force
where States for example would use force and violence against each other to
and violence against each other to
and violence against each other to redress a wrong so if we indeed want to
redress a wrong so if we indeed want to
redress a wrong so if we indeed want to see an international legal order that is
see an international legal order that is
see an international legal order that is peaceful
peaceful
peaceful we might be interested in this fact that
we might be interested in this fact that
we might be interested in this fact that there’s still much work to be done to
there’s still much work to be done to
there’s still much work to be done to produce an international system based on
produce an international system based on
produce an international system based on the rule of law so next moving to the
the rule of law so next moving to the
the rule of law so next moving to the international and international law as
international and international law as
international and international law as you would guess from from the word
you would guess from from the word
you would guess from from the word international means regulating the
international means regulating the
international means regulating the conduct between or among states nation
conduct between or among states nation
conduct between or among states nation states and it is this classical sense of
states and it is this classical sense of
states and it is this classical sense of international law that gives it the
international law that gives it the
international law that gives it the sense of being something remote from our
sense of being something remote from our
sense of being something remote from our personal lives something cold and
personal lives something cold and
personal lives something cold and distant and this is indeed the classical
distant and this is indeed the classical
distant and this is indeed the classical sense of international law that it
sense of international law that it
sense of international law that it should regulate conduct among sovereign
should regulate conduct among sovereign
should regulate conduct among sovereign states however in the contemporary
states however in the contemporary
states however in the contemporary international legal world we have more
international legal world we have more
international legal world we have more and more the individual becoming an
and more the individual becoming an
and more the individual becoming an actor a subject and object of
actor a subject and object of
actor a subject and object of international law so for example there
international law so for example there
international law so for example there are individual complaint mechanisms to a
are individual complaint mechanisms to a
are individual complaint mechanisms to a number of the core international human
number of the core international human
number of the core international human rights treaties at the International
rights treaties at the International
rights treaties at the International Criminal Court individuals will be tried
Criminal Court individuals will be tried
Criminal Court individuals will be tried for international crimes so also the
for international crimes so also the
for international crimes so also the general public around the world we might
general public around the world we might
general public around the world we might be very concerned about various issues
be very concerned about various issues
be very concerned about various issues for example climate change
for example climate change
for example climate change flipped in Syria where international law
flipped in Syria where international law
flipped in Syria where international law might be the only mechanism to to solve
might be the only mechanism to to solve
might be the only mechanism to to solve these issues so I’m now going to very
these issues so I’m now going to very
these issues so I’m now going to very briefly turn to a few international
briefly turn to a few international
briefly turn to a few international legal institutions that are often doing
legal institutions that are often doing
legal institutions that are often doing excellent work behind the scenes and
excellent work behind the scenes and
excellent work behind the scenes and again we don’t see the work of these
again we don’t see the work of these
again we don’t see the work of these organizations featured very commonly in
organizations featured very commonly in
organizations featured very commonly in the media so firstly is the hate
the media so firstly is the hate
the media so firstly is the hate conference on private international
conference on private international
conference on private international national law founded in 1893 which
national law founded in 1893 which
national law founded in 1893 which really established the hague as a
really established the hague as a
really established the hague as a international capital of peace and
international capital of peace and
international capital of peace and justice and hei conference involves
justice and hei conference involves
justice and hei conference involves nation-states coming together and
nation-states coming together and
nation-states coming together and negotiating treaties in the broad area
negotiating treaties in the broad area
negotiating treaties in the broad area of private international law which
of private international law which
of private international law which includes international legal cooperation
includes international legal cooperation
includes international legal cooperation child and family law and civil and
child and family law and civil and
child and family law and civil and commercial litigation and again you may
commercial litigation and again you may
commercial litigation and again you may not be aware of these treaties but they
not be aware of these treaties but they
not be aware of these treaties but they can have very tangible concrete effects
can have very tangible concrete effects
can have very tangible concrete effects on individual lives of families also for
on individual lives of families also for
on individual lives of families also for example there are modern treaties on
example there are modern treaties on
example there are modern treaties on international parental child abduction
international parental child abduction
international parental child abduction and also on child support and family
and also on child support and family
and also on child support and family maintenance in cross-border situations
maintenance in cross-border situations
maintenance in cross-border situations so whether a state is party and signed
so whether a state is party and signed
so whether a state is party and signed up to one of these international
up to one of these international
up to one of these international treaties can have very concrete effects
treaties can have very concrete effects
treaties can have very concrete effects on individual and family life now I turn
on individual and family life now I turn
on individual and family life now I turn next to to these words I wonder if any
next to to these words I wonder if any
next to to these words I wonder if any of you recognize these beautiful and
of you recognize these beautiful and
of you recognize these beautiful and soul-stirring words to save succeeding
soul-stirring words to save succeeding
soul-stirring words to save succeeding generation from the scourge of war which
generation from the scourge of war which
generation from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold
twice in our lifetime has brought untold
twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to reaffirm faith in fundamental
sorrow to reaffirm faith in fundamental
sorrow to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights in the dignity and worth of
human rights in the dignity and worth of
human rights in the dignity and worth of the human person to establish conditions
the human person to establish conditions
the human person to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the
under which justice and respect for the
under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and
obligations arising from treaties and
obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can
other sources of international law can
other sources of international law can be maintained to promote social progress
be maintained to promote social progress
be maintained to promote social progress and better standards of life to practice
and better standards of life to practice
and better standards of life to practice tolerance and live together in peace
tolerance and live together in peace
tolerance and live together in peace with one another as
with one another as
with one another as neighbors does anybody recognize these
neighbors does anybody recognize these
neighbors does anybody recognize these words not so much these are in fact
words not so much these are in fact
words not so much these are in fact words from the preamble of the United
words from the preamble of the United
words from the preamble of the United Nations Charter adopted in 1945 indeed
Nations Charter adopted in 1945 indeed
Nations Charter adopted in 1945 indeed after two horrifying World Wars and the
after two horrifying World Wars and the
after two horrifying World Wars and the preamble these words in fact begin with
preamble these words in fact begin with
preamble these words in fact begin with we the people we the peoples of the
we the people we the peoples of the
we the people we the peoples of the United Nations and because virtually
United Nations and because virtually
United Nations and because virtually every state in the world is party to the
every state in the world is party to the
every state in the world is party to the UN Charter 193 States we the people’s
UN Charter 193 States we the people’s
UN Charter 193 States we the people’s refers to all of us and the Charter is
refers to all of us and the Charter is
refers to all of us and the Charter is in effect a sort of constitutional
in effect a sort of constitutional
in effect a sort of constitutional document as it is it prevails over other
document as it is it prevails over other
document as it is it prevails over other international treaty obligations and the
international treaty obligations and the
international treaty obligations and the Charter its inception the wisdom of the
Charter its inception the wisdom of the
Charter its inception the wisdom of the drafters of this instrument in 1945
drafters of this instrument in 1945
drafters of this instrument in 1945 meant to fundamentally reform and change
meant to fundamentally reform and change
meant to fundamentally reform and change interstate relations and in particular
interstate relations and in particular
interstate relations and in particular to transform States use of violence and
to transform States use of violence and
to transform States use of violence and force between each other so the charger
force between each other so the charger
force between each other so the charger salvaged a system a binding system of
salvaged a system a binding system of
salvaged a system a binding system of collective security and also as chapter
collective security and also as chapter
collective security and also as chapter six on the peaceful settlement of
six on the peaceful settlement of
six on the peaceful settlement of international disputes which of course
international disputes which of course
international disputes which of course again we do not hear about very much
again we do not hear about very much
again we do not hear about very much we’re not educated on this chapter on
we’re not educated on this chapter on
we’re not educated on this chapter on peaceful settlement of disputes and this
peaceful settlement of disputes and this
peaceful settlement of disputes and this was really an attempt again to find
was really an attempt again to find
was really an attempt again to find safety for all people to prevent the
safety for all people to prevent the
safety for all people to prevent the scourge of war or to recur next I’ll
scourge of war or to recur next I’ll
scourge of war or to recur next I’ll turn to the International Court of
turn to the International Court of
turn to the International Court of Justice which was established at the
Justice which was established at the
Justice which was established at the time of UN Charter with the objective to
time of UN Charter with the objective to
time of UN Charter with the objective to be the principal judicial organ for the
be the principal judicial organ for the
be the principal judicial organ for the United Nations to resolve disputes
United Nations to resolve disputes
United Nations to resolve disputes between states however more than 20
between states however more than 20
between states however more than 20 years after the adoption of the Charter
years after the adoption of the Charter
years after the adoption of the Charter only 72 states out of 190
only 72 states out of 190
only 72 states out of 190 Nations members have accepted the
Nations members have accepted the
Nations members have accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the court and
compulsory jurisdiction of the court and
compulsory jurisdiction of the court and this is despite multiple UN statements
this is despite multiple UN statements
this is despite multiple UN statements on the rule of law
on the rule of law
on the rule of law encouraging states around the world to
encouraging states around the world to
encouraging states around the world to accept the Pulsar jurisdiction of the
accept the Pulsar jurisdiction of the
accept the Pulsar jurisdiction of the court and indeed although it’s a working
court and indeed although it’s a working
court and indeed although it’s a working court issues judgments which states in
court issues judgments which states in
court issues judgments which states in general comply with the president of the
general comply with the president of the
general comply with the president of the the four present of the ICJ lady Rosalyn
the four present of the ICJ lady Rosalyn
the four present of the ICJ lady Rosalyn Justice Roslyn Higgins she echoes
Justice Roslyn Higgins she echoes
Justice Roslyn Higgins she echoes Kelton’s idea that the fundamental
Kelton’s idea that the fundamental
Kelton’s idea that the fundamental principles principles of domestic rule
principles principles of domestic rule
principles principles of domestic rule all models do not fit easily within the
all models do not fit easily within the
all models do not fit easily within the international legal order for example
international legal order for example
international legal order for example the ICJ lacks compulsory jurisdiction
the ICJ lacks compulsory jurisdiction
the ICJ lacks compulsory jurisdiction there’s uneven an ineffective
there’s uneven an ineffective
there’s uneven an ineffective enforcement of international law and a
enforcement of international law and a
enforcement of international law and a lack of clear hierarchy among
lack of clear hierarchy among
lack of clear hierarchy among international courts so again what does
international courts so again what does
international courts so again what does this mean for individual citizens well
this mean for individual citizens well
this mean for individual citizens well if there is an inter linkage between
if there is an inter linkage between
if there is an inter linkage between rule of law and peace as Kelson noted if
rule of law and peace as Kelson noted if
rule of law and peace as Kelson noted if we want a sustainable international
we want a sustainable international
we want a sustainable international peace there is still progress to be made
peace there is still progress to be made
peace there is still progress to be made and much work to be done so next I’ll
and much work to be done so next I’ll
and much work to be done so next I’ll turn to a very stunning quite a striking
turn to a very stunning quite a striking
turn to a very stunning quite a striking development in the international legal
development in the international legal
development in the international legal order which happened in 2002 which is
order which happened in 2002 which is
order which happened in 2002 which is the establishment of the International
the establishment of the International
the establishment of the International Criminal Court in The Hague
Criminal Court in The Hague
Criminal Court in The Hague so the ICC is a permanent International
so the ICC is a permanent International
so the ICC is a permanent International Criminal Court to prosecute individuals
Criminal Court to prosecute individuals
Criminal Court to prosecute individuals who are responsible for international
who are responsible for international
who are responsible for international crimes of the highest concern to the
crimes of the highest concern to the
crimes of the highest concern to the international community as a whole
international community as a whole
international community as a whole including genocide crimes against
including genocide crimes against
including genocide crimes against humanity war crimes and the crime of
humanity war crimes and the crime of
humanity war crimes and the crime of aggression so in response to the crimes
aggression so in response to the crimes
aggression so in response to the crimes and the atrocities committed in the
and the atrocities committed in the
and the atrocities committed in the course of the 20th century after the
course of the 20th century after the
course of the 20th century after the Second World War
Second World War
Second World War you might be familiar with the two
you might be familiar with the two
you might be familiar with the two tribunals the Nuremberg and Tokyo
tribunals the Nuremberg and Tokyo
tribunals the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals that were established to try
tribunals that were established to try
tribunals that were established to try war criminals and after those
war criminals and after those
war criminals and after those oceans in 1948 when the General Assembly
oceans in 1948 when the General Assembly
oceans in 1948 when the General Assembly adopted the Genocide Convention there
adopted the Genocide Convention there
adopted the Genocide Convention there was already a call and a recognition
was already a call and a recognition
was already a call and a recognition that we needed a permanent International
that we needed a permanent International
that we needed a permanent International Criminal Court however it wasn’t until
Criminal Court however it wasn’t until
Criminal Court however it wasn’t until the 1990s and with the Yugoslavia former
the 1990s and with the Yugoslavia former
the 1990s and with the Yugoslavia former Yugoslavia and Rwanda atrocities that
Yugoslavia and Rwanda atrocities that
Yugoslavia and Rwanda atrocities that the UN Security Council stepped in and
the UN Security Council stepped in and
the UN Security Council stepped in and provided or provided for two ad hoc
provided or provided for two ad hoc
provided or provided for two ad hoc tribunals to address those situations
tribunals to address those situations
tribunals to address those situations and then that helped to catalyze a
and then that helped to catalyze a
and then that helped to catalyze a convening of states to negotiate the
convening of states to negotiate the
convening of states to negotiate the Rome Statute to establish the
Rome Statute to establish the
Rome Statute to establish the International Criminal Court in 1998 so
International Criminal Court in 1998 so
International Criminal Court in 1998 so this institution has a bit more momentum
this institution has a bit more momentum
this institution has a bit more momentum than the ICJ and there are today 124
than the ICJ and there are today 124
than the ICJ and there are today 124 countries which have accepted the Rome
countries which have accepted the Rome
countries which have accepted the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Statute of the International Criminal
Statute of the International Criminal Court and countries are engaged from
Court and countries are engaged from
Court and countries are engaged from around the world for example 34 of those
around the world for example 34 of those
around the world for example 34 of those countries are African states 19 Aegis if
countries are African states 19 Aegis if
countries are African states 19 Aegis if ik Eastern Europe Latin America Western
ik Eastern Europe Latin America Western
ik Eastern Europe Latin America Western Europe etc so this Court has really
Europe etc so this Court has really
Europe etc so this Court has really extraordinary international engagement
extraordinary international engagement
extraordinary international engagement to uphold the basic tenets of humanity
to uphold the basic tenets of humanity
to uphold the basic tenets of humanity so lastly my final example I’ll share
so lastly my final example I’ll share
so lastly my final example I’ll share with you today is the recent adoption of
with you today is the recent adoption of
with you today is the recent adoption of the sustainable development goals which
the sustainable development goals which
the sustainable development goals which were unanimously adopted by every
were unanimously adopted by every
were unanimously adopted by every country in the world as a member of the
country in the world as a member of the
country in the world as a member of the United Nations all 193 in 2015 and these
United Nations all 193 in 2015 and these
United Nations all 193 in 2015 and these goals also contain a detailed 169
goals also contain a detailed 169
goals also contain a detailed 169 targets and these bowls are
targets and these bowls are
targets and these bowls are extraordinary as you see the the breadth
extraordinary as you see the the breadth
extraordinary as you see the the breadth and diversity of the goals and they’re
and diversity of the goals and they’re
and diversity of the goals and they’re trying to get at the roots of poverty in
trying to get at the roots of poverty in
trying to get at the roots of poverty in a
a
a a global collaborative effort and not
a global collaborative effort and not
a global collaborative effort and not only do the goals seek to eradicate
only do the goals seek to eradicate
only do the goals seek to eradicate poverty but to build economic growth in
poverty but to build economic growth in
poverty but to build economic growth in a sustainable fashion but also address
a sustainable fashion but also address
a sustainable fashion but also address issues of social inclusion like health
issues of social inclusion like health
issues of social inclusion like health education social protection and job
education social protection and job
education social protection and job opportunities and one of the mottos with
opportunities and one of the mottos with
opportunities and one of the mottos with the goals is that no individual should
the goals is that no individual should
the goals is that no individual should be left behind that these should work
be left behind that these should work
be left behind that these should work for all societies across the world world
for all societies across the world world
for all societies across the world world and they apply to countries no matter
and they apply to countries no matter
and they apply to countries no matter what their state of economic development
what their state of economic development
what their state of economic development is so just to give you a sense of some
is so just to give you a sense of some
is so just to give you a sense of some of the the texture of some of the goals
of the the texture of some of the goals
of the the texture of some of the goals and targets and as we’re at an
and targets and as we’re at an
and targets and as we’re at an institution of higher learning I’ll just
institution of higher learning I’ll just
institution of higher learning I’ll just focus for a minute on a few of the
focus for a minute on a few of the
focus for a minute on a few of the targets under goal for quality education
targets under goal for quality education
targets under goal for quality education so this goal and targets us mandate that
so this goal and targets us mandate that
so this goal and targets us mandate that states will ensure that all girls and
states will ensure that all girls and
states will ensure that all girls and boys complete free equitable and primary
boys complete free equitable and primary
boys complete free equitable and primary quality primary and secondary education
quality primary and secondary education
quality primary and secondary education that all girls and boys have access to
that all girls and boys have access to
that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development care
quality early childhood development care
quality early childhood development care and primary education that all women and
and primary education that all women and
and primary education that all women and men have access to affordable and
men have access to affordable and
men have access to affordable and quality technical vocational and
quality technical vocational and
quality technical vocational and tertiary education including university
tertiary education including university
tertiary education including university so the full range of education across an
so the full range of education across an
so the full range of education across an individual’s lifecycle and lasting this
individual’s lifecycle and lasting this
individual’s lifecycle and lasting this target which I find particularly
target which I find particularly
target which I find particularly inspiring to ensure that all learners
inspiring to ensure that all learners
inspiring to ensure that all learners and again that’s all of us all around
and again that’s all of us all around
and again that’s all of us all around the world all of us are learner’s by
the world all of us are learner’s by
the world all of us are learner’s by nature that we all acquire the knowledge
nature that we all acquire the knowledge
nature that we all acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable
and skills needed to promote sustainable
and skills needed to promote sustainable development including through education
development including through education
development including through education for sustainable development Human Rights
for sustainable development Human Rights
for sustainable development Human Rights gender equality promotion of a culture
gender equality promotion of a culture
gender equality promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence again you see
of peace and non-violence again you see
of peace and non-violence again you see the echoing of the key tenets of the UN
the echoing of the key tenets of the UN
the echoing of the key tenets of the UN Charter global citizenship and
Charter global citizenship and
Charter global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and
appreciation of cultural diversity and
appreciation of cultural diversity and cultures contribution to sustained
cultures contribution to sustained
cultures contribution to sustained development so the goals here
development so the goals here
development so the goals here show a full circle with a call to civic
show a full circle with a call to civic
show a full circle with a call to civic duty and formation of our shared values
duty and formation of our shared values
duty and formation of our shared values together so I don’t know how you feel
together so I don’t know how you feel
together so I don’t know how you feel about these goals if you’ve if you’re
about these goals if you’ve if you’re
about these goals if you’ve if you’re familiar with them and those targets for
familiar with them and those targets for
familiar with them and those targets for example that I find that these goals are
example that I find that these goals are
example that I find that these goals are incredibly idealistic as well as
incredibly idealistic as well as
incredibly idealistic as well as ambitious and if we imagine how the
ambitious and if we imagine how the
ambitious and if we imagine how the world would be transformed if any of
world would be transformed if any of
world would be transformed if any of these goals were met by 2030 or even
these goals were met by 2030 or even
these goals were met by 2030 or even just those targets under education we
just those targets under education we
just those targets under education we would see a transformed world so
would see a transformed world so
would see a transformed world so everybody is supposed to be engaged in
everybody is supposed to be engaged in
everybody is supposed to be engaged in implementing these goals including
implementing these goals including
implementing these goals including government’s have primary responsibility
government’s have primary responsibility
government’s have primary responsibility but also the private sector civil
but also the private sector civil
but also the private sector civil society and also individuals people like
society and also individuals people like
society and also individuals people like you and I so in sum what does
you and I so in sum what does
you and I so in sum what does international law modern international
international law modern international
international law modern international law say about being human in the 21st
law say about being human in the 21st
law say about being human in the 21st century so firstly we are all
century so firstly we are all
century so firstly we are all stakeholders in the international legal
stakeholders in the international legal
stakeholders in the international legal order whether we are fully aware of it
order whether we are fully aware of it
order whether we are fully aware of it or not we are named and were invited to
or not we are named and were invited to
or not we are named and were invited to be involved and to contribute we are all
be involved and to contribute we are all
be involved and to contribute we are all part of the process also of the further
part of the process also of the further
part of the process also of the further development of the international order
development of the international order
development of the international order based on the shared values which we
based on the shared values which we
based on the shared values which we define we the people’s and indeed in the
define we the people’s and indeed in the
define we the people’s and indeed in the lead-up to the SDGs there was a broad
lead-up to the SDGs there was a broad
lead-up to the SDGs there was a broad consultation with civil society groups
consultation with civil society groups
consultation with civil society groups and we all by default because of our
and we all by default because of our
and we all by default because of our interconnection globally we have a stake
interconnection globally we have a stake
interconnection globally we have a stake in the success or the imperfections of
in the success or the imperfections of
in the success or the imperfections of the international legal order and I
the international legal order and I
the international legal order and I would argue that our predecessors as you
would argue that our predecessors as you
would argue that our predecessors as you see here to us uh sir who was
see here to us uh sir who was
see here to us uh sir who was fundamental to the hey excelled to the
fundamental to the hey excelled to the
fundamental to the hey excelled to the Hague conference in 1893 and
Hague conference in 1893 and
Hague conference in 1893 and inaugurating the hey
inaugurating the hey
inaugurating the hey the city an international legal capital
the city an international legal capital
the city an international legal capital and a city of peace and justice and
and a city of peace and justice and
and a city of peace and justice and Eleanor Roosevelt who is instrumental
Eleanor Roosevelt who is instrumental
Eleanor Roosevelt who is instrumental and finalizing the Universal Declaration
and finalizing the Universal Declaration
and finalizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights I would argue that there
of Human Rights I would argue that there
of Human Rights I would argue that there are very compelling ideas and extremely
are very compelling ideas and extremely
are very compelling ideas and extremely strong foundations upon which the
strong foundations upon which the
strong foundations upon which the current international system rests and
current international system rests and
current international system rests and the foundations are the result of
the foundations are the result of
the foundations are the result of collaborative efforts and great
collaborative efforts and great
collaborative efforts and great collective exertions over many years so
collective exertions over many years so
collective exertions over many years so all of these international treaties the
all of these international treaties the
all of these international treaties the institution’s the ongoing work behind
institution’s the ongoing work behind
institution’s the ongoing work behind the scenes show our cooperative nature
the scenes show our cooperative nature
the scenes show our cooperative nature of human beings and they signal the
of human beings and they signal the
of human beings and they signal the human capacity the very strong human
human capacity the very strong human
human capacity the very strong human capacity for collaboration and indeed
capacity for collaboration and indeed
capacity for collaboration and indeed Gandhi made the comment that often it is
Gandhi made the comment that often it is
Gandhi made the comment that often it is vastly grossly overlooked our capacity
vastly grossly overlooked our capacity
vastly grossly overlooked our capacity as humans for collaboration and these
as humans for collaboration and these
as humans for collaboration and these social bonds of love we tend to focus on
social bonds of love we tend to focus on
social bonds of love we tend to focus on the conflict but we all actually have
the conflict but we all actually have
the conflict but we all actually have incredible capacities for collaboration
incredible capacities for collaboration
incredible capacities for collaboration despite great human diversity so lastly
despite great human diversity so lastly
despite great human diversity so lastly I will end with this beautiful image of
I will end with this beautiful image of
I will end with this beautiful image of the Peace Palace of The Hague which
the Peace Palace of The Hague which
the Peace Palace of The Hague which houses the International Court of
houses the International Court of
houses the International Court of Justice and other key international
Justice and other key international
Justice and other key international institutions and I’ll end with a quote
institutions and I’ll end with a quote
institutions and I’ll end with a quote from Andrew Carnegie who’s a noted
from Andrew Carnegie who’s a noted
from Andrew Carnegie who’s a noted Scottish American industrialist and
Scottish American industrialist and
Scottish American industrialist and philanthropist who like Eleanor
philanthropist who like Eleanor
philanthropist who like Eleanor Roosevelt very much believed in hard
Roosevelt very much believed in hard
Roosevelt very much believed in hard work and in working for international
work and in working for international
work and in working for international peace and a viable international order
peace and a viable international order
peace and a viable international order and his gift his financial gift enabled
and his gift his financial gift enabled
and his gift his financial gift enabled the building of the Peace Palace as it
the building of the Peace Palace as it
the building of the Peace Palace as it stands today in Hague and in his
stands today in Hague and in his
stands today in Hague and in his autobiography Carnegie called the Peace
autobiography Carnegie called the Peace
autobiography Carnegie called the Peace Palace quote the most holy building in
Palace quote the most holy building in
Palace quote the most holy building in the world because it has the holiest end
the world because it has the holiest end
the world because it has the holiest end in view he said I do not even accept st.
in view he said I do not even accept st.
in view he said I do not even accept st. Peter’s Cathedral or any building
Peter’s Cathedral or any building
Peter’s Cathedral or any building erected to the glory of God whom we
erected to the glory of God whom we
erected to the glory of God whom we cannot serve our aid God needs no help
cannot serve our aid God needs no help
cannot serve our aid God needs no help from us but the highest warship is
from us but the highest warship is
from us but the highest warship is service to madam so I’ll just end by
service to madam so I’ll just end by
service to madam so I’ll just end by saying that we’re all very very
saying that we’re all very very
saying that we’re all very very privileged to live in
privileged to live in
privileged to live in age when we can meaningfully contribute
age when we can meaningfully contribute
age when we can meaningfully contribute and engage in furthering this collective
and engage in furthering this collective
and engage in furthering this collective process of international law and
process of international law and
process of international law and international order in a way that our
international order in a way that our
international order in a way that our present predecessors cannot imagine or
present predecessors cannot imagine or
present predecessors cannot imagine or could not have imagined thank you very
could not have imagined thank you very
could not have imagined thank you very much
much
much [Music]
”
Be First to Comment