Section of International Law: Africa Committee

Section of International Law:
Africa Committee

Mission Statement

The Africa Committee's mission is to interact with lawyers, academics, students, and others with an interest in African legal affairs. The geographic scope of this committee encompasses all countries in the African continent and the committee has the task of focusing on both legal reform relating to the strengthening of the democratic process and the special opportunities for investment that have recently emerged in various countries. In addition, regional integration and harmonization of laws is of particular interest and importance to the Africa Committee (AC).

The Committee’s core objectives are:

• Enhance the AC’s contribution to the Section of International Law;

• Improve services and programs to all members with a particular focus on seasonal meeting programs and standalone programs on the continent and elsewhere;

• Increase outreach efforts including contacting local universities, bar associations, businesses, and organizations on the continent as well as reaching out to domestic businesses, universities, and organizations; and

• Increase the AC’s presence on the continent and throughout the greater ABA.

Message From The Chairs

Welcome to the website of the Africa Committee. We are one of the most active committees in the ABA's Section of International Law with over 400 practitioners in a variety of fields including public interest, private practice, and academia. What brings us together is a shared interest in developing new programs and ideas relevant to the nexus between African Affairs and international law. Examples of common interest areas include the rule of law, international development, international investment and trade, good governance, and capacity building. The Committee sponsors many programs at the Section’s seasonal meetings, as well as facilitates networking with legal practitioners across the world.

This leadership year (2012 – 2013) is dedicated to showcasing the positive rule of law developments in Africa over the years. Likewise, we will continue focusing on business issues, as we believe that the development of a strong middle-class and of local entrepreneurship is an important building block for democracy and a fairer society (as we have seen with the Arab Spring).

We look forward to a growing and vibrant membership. We particularly invite students and young lawyers to get involved in the Committee. There are several opportunities for involvement which include participating in the Africa Committee Internship Program, and contributing to the widely read Africa Law Today.

We count on all the membership to participate in our monthly discussions, to post on our LinkedIn page, to write article and generally make your voices heard. Remember the AC is for all of us, and our success depends on your participation!

Adejoké Babington-Ashaye and Ricardo Silva, Committee Co-Chairs

Awards and Recognitions

AWARDS RECEIVED:

2011

Best Use of Social Media - Winner!

2010

Outstanding Committee (highest honor from the Section) - Winner!

Best Use of Listserv - Honorable Mention

Outstanding Year-in-Review Contribution - Honorable Mention

Best Website - Honorable Mention

2009

Best Stand-Alone Program - Winner!

Roland Abeng - Good Governance in Cameroon

Best Use of Listserv - Winner!

2008

Best Committee - Honorable Mention

Best Use of Listserv - Honorable Mention

Best Project Winner!

Russ Kerr & Robert Alsdorf - Books for Africa

2007

Special Achievement Award: ILEX Trip to West Africa

Salli A. Swartz, Philips Giraud Naud and Swartz

Edna Chinyere Udobong, International Development Partners

Unsung Hero Award

Edna Chinyere Udobong

Join Us

- Join Our Committee
- Join Our AFRICA COMMITTEE
- Join The ABA

Leadership

Co-Chairs: Adejoke Babington-Ashaye, Ricardo A Silva

Vice-Chairs: Roland D Abeng, Tiago Martins Cruz, Yvonne Fiadjoe, Christina Theresa Holder, Angelia Wade Stubbs

Committee Roster (394 total members)

Publications

Africa-Related Publications, Rule of Law White Papers and the Committee Newsletter
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Committee Conference Calls

Conference Calls every month on the second Wednesday at 1 PM EST. If you would like to join the Africa Committee and receive call-in information, please submit your name at the 'subscribe' portion of LISTSERVE on this web page.
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