Human Rights

This all day CLE training will introduce U.S. lawyers to U.N. human rights mechanisms, focusing on how the U.N. structures work (and don't work) in the U.S. context. In addition to discussing U.N. mechanisms, their mandates and procedures, the session will look at the relationship between the United States and the U.N. and the benefits and pitfalls of using the U.N. as part of a domestic advocacy campaign. The morning sessions will introduce the U.N.'s human rights mechanisms to practitioners and discuss the role that the U.N. plays in creating international norms. In the afternoon sessions, panelists will engage in strategic discussions on how the U.N. system and international human rights norms can support a progressive agenda. Topics for discussion include the relationship between the U.N. system and domestic litigation, policy making, legislative advocacy, and norm and standard-setting. Panelists will work to identify the factors that contribute to successful U.N. advocacy strategies. For more information, please contact Cynthia Soohoo at csooho@law.columbia.edu