Exploring the challenge of creating critical mass within a diverse society, the Scholarship Programs organized an intimate gathering of alumni of the Palestinian Rule of Law (PROL) Program in Amman, Jordan, in January 2010.
OSI grants have helped train lawyers at top US universities over the past 7 years. Since the inception of the program in 2003, around 40 alumni are currently active within Palestine, in fields as diverse as human rights and real estate law.
The overall aim of the session, held at the Columbia University Middle East Research Center (CUMERC), was to provide a forum for PROL alumni to network and to seed discussions on ways in which the legal profession can be strengthened in Palestine. Over the course of the 2 day workshop, alumni, guest speakers and staff participated in an interactive set of discussions. Unfortunately, three alumni based in Gaza were unable to make it to the event due to the difficult border crossing situation.
“I think most grantees felt that the first session on the agenda was the most interesting; a discussion of 'why we went to law school' in a sense,” reflects PROL Program Manager, Joseph Glicksberg. “They had some questions to answer in groups and then elected a spokesperson to report back to the group on their answers. The questions pushed them to consider the reasons they initially went to law school, who they saw themselves becoming as professionals, and whether or not they are meeting their goals and if those goals changed. The reflection exercise was well received."
OSI staff were also enthusiastic about the response from the alumni and the will from partners to keep momentum going for projects which alumni hope to develop. One of the strongest supporters is Ms. Hiba Husseini, a managing partner of the Husseini and Husseini law firm in Ramallah. PROL alumni have an idea to create an NGO supporting pro bono activities and enhancing discussions surrounding the effective rule of law in Palestine. “The NGO could have a real impact if the alumni set clear objectives, programs, activities and are committed,” states Ms. Husseini. “The most important aspect of the NGO should focus in bridging current existing gaps and finding a niche.”
Several alumni have seen a way to carve out academic and professional careers. Muhanad Assaf and Ammed Anani, both graduating from Wake Forest University, founded their own law firm together in Ramallah specializing on financial law. Both are now teaching part-time at Birzeit University, the university they both graduated from with MA degrees in Law in 2003.
Presentation Sessions
How Lawyers Are Made: A Reflection on the Values, Social Pressures, and Other Factors that Shape Our Profession, Marguerite Angelari, Legal Officer, Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), Budapest
Reflections on Improving the Legal Profession in Palestine, Hiba Husseini, Founder and Managing Partner, Husseini & Husseini Law Firm (Ramallah)
Bridging the NGO-Private Law Gulf, Diala Khamra, Justice Center for Legal Aid (Amman)
The Open Society Institute’s Legal Capacity Program, Anna Fischer, Program Coordinator, Open Society Justice Initiative, Budapest
The Export of American Legal Education: Its Promise and Impact, Ron Brand, Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh, Center for International Legal Education
The International Legal Fund’s New Project in Palestine: Working Towards a More Just Criminal Justice System, Roxane Vachon, Fellow, International Legal Foundation
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