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Ottawa, Oct. 20- The Rule of Law in Whole of Government Involvement in Fragile States

A unique CPD conference featuring leading legal and policy experts discussing cutting edge issues in international interventions. An event not to miss for lawyers keen on human rights, humanitarian law, and foreign policy issues!

Accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada for 1 Professionalism hour and 5h35min of Substantive content. Cost: $375 for full-day event, including lunch. Click here to Register today.

The program is designed to offer high quality presentations and discussions by leading experts to advance understanding of the multiple inter-related military, justice, humanitarian and development issues related to military interventions, peacekeeping and peacemaking, successful and sustainable peace building, and upholding of the rule of law in societies in conflict.

The programme will be primarily in English.

Program Presentation
October 20, 2016 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Desmarais Building, 55 Laurier Avenue East, 12th floor, room 12102

SCHEDULE

To be presented in six sessions.

8 a.m. – Registration

8:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. - Opening remarks: Hon. Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence (TBC)

8:55 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.

Integrating whole of government expertise and resources from Global Affairs, DND, Justice, Public Safety, International Development and other departments to provide the most effective Canadian involvement in Middle East conflict zones by focusing on sustainable Canadian and coalition efforts in the region. Lessons learned from Libya, the Balkans and elsewhere regarding the need for whole of government military and civilian expertise in combating terrorism, stabilizing fragile states and promoting the rule of law.

Speakers:

  • Gen. Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff
  • Mark Gwozdecky, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Global Affairs
  • Prof. Thomas Juneau, University of Ottawa, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

10:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. - Break

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

The inevitable consequences of conflict — collateral death and damage. The need to consider both the evolving legal, ethical, moral and accountability challenges in conducting military operations (including in a training or advisory capacity) against groups such as ISIL/Daesh, Al Nusra and Syrian opposition groups, as well as humanitarian efforts, in a manner that contributes to sustainable peace building.

Speakers:

  • Prof. Errol Mendes, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and President, International Commission of Jurists, Canadian Section
  • BGen. (ret’d) Kenneth Watkin, former judge advocate general and legal author (international law)
  • Robert Petit, Senior Counsel and Team Leader, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Section, Department of Justice, and former international prosecutor

11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.

Discerning best and worst practices in establishing or strengthening national justice and security sector institutions (police, prosecutors, the defence bar, courts and prisons) of states in conflict.

Speakers:

  • Peter Tinsley, LCol (ret’d), former national and international prosecutor, oversight practitioner, justice sector consultant
  • Andrew J. Carswell, Senior Delegate to Canada for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • Assistant Commissioner Serge Therriault, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

12:50 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Lunch

1:45 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Oversight of and accountability for the international community’s involvement in peacemaking and peace building, including the impact of the international criminal law concepts of command and superior responsibility, as well as the professional responsibilities of military and civilian legal advisers. Lessons learned from the recent United Nations experience in the Central African Republic and other interventions.

Speakers:

  • Hon. Marie Deschamps, former justice of the SCC and UN investigator
  • Linda Bianchi, Counsel, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Section, Department of Justice and former international prosecutor
  • MGen Blaise Cathcart, Judge Advocate General

3:05 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.

The role of national and international journalists, media platforms and knowledge networks in contributing to sustainable peace building, democracy and development.

Speakers:

  • Murray Brewster, CBC reporter and author
  • Prof. Stephen Baranyi, University of Ottawa, School of International Development and Global Studies

4:05 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. - Break

4:25 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.

Integrating the silos for effective policy development (with audience participation).

Speakers:

  • Anne Burgess, Director, Conflict Policy and Security Coherence Secretariat within the Task Force, Global Affairs Canada
  • Prof. Stephen Baranyi, University of Ottawa, School of International Development and Global Studies

5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. - Closing remarks