As part of its goal to promote international criminal law and human rights through furthering knowledge and building capacities at the national level to investigate and prosecute international crimes, the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, from 1-12 August 2016, hosted a successful ICL Summer Academy for Junior Professionals. The Summer Academy brought together young academics and junior professionals including prosecutors, investigating magistrates and judges from conflict or post-conflict situations countries. The countries represented in the summer academy were Afghanistan, Bosnia, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Kosovo, Kurdistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria Ukraine and Uganda.
The Summer Academy benefitted from facilitation of high-level experts and practitioners including Prof Linda Carter (University of the Pacific, McGeorge Law School); Prof William Schabas (Middlesex University); Prof Margaret DeGuzman (Temple University, Beasley School of Law); Prof Raymond Murphy (Irish Centre for Human Rights/National University of Ireland Galway); Prof Charles Jalloh (FIU College of Law); Tim Moloney, QC (Doughty Street Chambers, London); Jens Dieckmann (Associate Member 9 Bedford Row/ Partner Becher&Dieckmann/ ICC Common Legal Representative for Victims); Prof Dire Tladi (University of Pretoria/ UN International Law Commission); Harald Range (Former Attorney General, Germany); Jennifer Schense (International Cooperation Advisor, ICC); Brenda J. Hollis (Prosecutor, Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone); Mats Mattson (Chief Prosecutor, Swedish Economic Crimes Authority); Jonathan Ratel (Head of Criminal Justice Team, British High Commission-Abuja); Natalie von Wistinghausen (Defense Counsel, Special Tribunal of Lebanon); Marieka Wierda (Rule of Law Policy Coordinator, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Grace Harbour (Appeals Counsel, UN-MICT).
The participants also enjoyed visits to the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, where the Nuremberg Trials were held, Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site and the Documentation Centre Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
The participants were exposed to theoretical, substantive and procedural aspects of international criminal law. The Summer Academy took a participatory and interactive approach which made it possible for participants to share experiences and ideas and also helped broaden their worldview. The Summer Academy provided an unparalleled opportunity where life-long global professional networks and friendships were created.
