Blackstone Legal Fellowship
The Department of Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted two law students completing the practical leg of the Blackstone Legal Fellowship Programme. At this occasion, Lauren Nydam, B.Sc. student in Engineering (studying at Duke University School of Law), and Emma Finney, B.A. student in History (studying at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law) presented their research.
This annual initiative by the Faculty of Law entails that the students work on a given research topic on legal matters under the supervision of academics, in this case, under the supervision of Prof. Shaun de Freitas, Head of the Department of Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law, and Prof. Andries Raath, Senior Professor in this Department.
The programme, run by the Alliance Defence Fund (ADF) in the United States (USA), is aimed at teaching Christian law students the importance of religious freedom and rights.
This year, the programme (which has been running for 10 years) accommodates 109 students, representing Schools of Law in the USA, including Harvard, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Notre Dame and Virginia. To date, 700 students have completed the programme. Currently there are students of the programme in Canada, England, France, Bulgaria and Italy. Pictured here are Emma Finney (left) and Lauren Nydam.
Religious Rights and Freedoms in South Africa
(20 May 10 - RV) A new Charter is currently being drafted on Religious Rights and Freedoms in South Africa. The document sets out what the religions in the country believe they contribute to society and what they consider to be important.
One of those who has been working on the Charter is Constitutional lawyer and Professor Extraordinary of Law, University of the Free State, Iain Benson. He was in Rome recently and spoke to Lydia O’Kane.
Here is the full interview with Iain Benson on South African work posted on the Vatican Radio website. Alternatively, use this link.
(You might need to download a free Real Player)
Prof. Ngwena leads symposium overseas
This is really a piece of information for you to note only about my activities here at Washington and Lee School of Law. On 3 April we are convening a symposium on Reproductive and Sexual Health and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa. Part of the terms of my invitation was to lead a symposium in an area of my choice. The details of the symposium can be found on here.
Charles Ngwena
“This is a most viable initiative, making it possible for us to converse with international students and academics and to develop our international networking and research projects. It is also good to be part of such a strong initiative towards fulfilling the rights to religious exercise and freedoms around the world,” said Prof. de Freitas
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