Professor Hal Wootten AC believed that the law is to be judged by the extent to which it promotes the wellbeing of people living in society. In this lecture, Michelle Jarvis explores this theme through the lens of international justice. At a time when world leaders are increasingly candid about a global crisis of values and international institutions face unprecedented pressure, what role can international justice play in fostering new frameworks that centre care for people and planet?
Drawing on her 26 years of experience working on accountability processes for conflict-related crimes, from the Balkans and Rwanda, to Syria, Michelle will offer a diagnosis of the current state of international justice as well as the opportunities to use its mechanisms to advance global wellbeing.
Michelle Jarvis has worked in the international criminal justice field for 26 years. She is presently the Executive Director of the Gender Justice Practitioner Hub (GJP Hub), a new entity supported by Australia to facilitate improved gender justice outcomes for conflict-related crimes globally.
Her prior roles include as the Deputy Head of the United Nations International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (Syria) (IIIM-Syria) and as Deputy to the Prosecutor at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT).
Michelle’s work has focused on bringing justice to victims/survivors of crimes in the Balkans, Rwanda and Syria, as well as building capacity for accountability processes in many other conflict and post conflict areas. Michelle has worked extensively to promote inclusive, innovative and agile approaches to accountability for core international crimes (war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide), including bringing visibility to the experiences of marginalised groups during accountability processes and strengthening legal responses. She has co-authored two books and numerous articles on the subject of gender and armed conflict.
Prior to her work in international criminal law, Michelle was a litigator in Australia, where her roles included improving women’s access to justice. Michelle holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Toronto as well as degrees in law and economics from the University of Adelaide.
The Hal Wootten Lecture was established in 2006 by UNSW Law & Justice in honour of founding Dean, Emeritus Professor Hal Wootten AC. This lecture is a highlight of the Faculty's year and commemorates Hal Wootten's founding vision for the Faculty – that a Law School should have and communicate to its students a keen concern for those on whom the law bears harshly.
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The Law Theatre is located within the UNSW Law & Justice Building at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus (refer F8 on this map). Please note this event will not be live-streamed.
The closest accessible drop-off point to the Law Theatre is the north entrance (F8 on map). Vehicles should arrive via High Street, Gate 2, follow Gate 2 Avenue to Union Road. The closest accessible parking is available on Union Road at the Chemical Sciences Building (F10) or near the UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre via Gate 2 (C6).
The Law Theatre has a hearing loop. Patrons wishing to utilise this need to switch their hearing aid to the T (Telecoil) setting to pick up on the wireless signal.
IMPORTANT PARKING UPDATE: Due to construction, the UNSW Western Campus Carpark on Anzac Parade next to NIDA is closed. Free parking is available in the Barker Street Carpark from 5.00pm. For access to free parking, event patrons must park in the UNSW Permit Holders bays. The Barker Street Carpark is located via Gate 14, Barker Street (M17).
Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. For more information head here.
The Law Theatre is easily accessible via public transport. Call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.
For all enquiries, please email law.events@unsw.edu.au
