Hi from Strasbourg (Part II)

A highlight of Regent's Summer Program on International Human Rights are the great guest speakers who spend time with students and faculty during our time in Strasbourg.

Here is who we have heard from so far:

Judge Ann Power – Irish Judge on the European Court of Human Rights. This court is the most powerful human rights court in the world; its decisions are sometimes cited by the United States Supreme Court. Judge Power introduced students to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Hans Christian Kruger - former Secretary to the European Commission of Human Rights and former Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Mr. Kruger has been intimately involved in the protection of human rights in Europe for the last 30 years. He spoke about the changing structure of the human rights system in Europe and future developments for the European Court of Human Rights.

Nicola Lettieri – attorney for the Italian government who appeared before the European Court of Human Rights in the Lautsi case regarding the removal of crucifixes from Italian schools. Lautsi is a very important case for religious liberty in Europe and worldwide. Mr. Lettieri spoke about the case and the arguments made before the European Court of Human Rights.

Judge Dallas Miller – Judge, Court of Queen’s Bench, Alberta, Canada and Chairman of the Board for the International Justice Mission (Canada). Judge Miller inspired students about the future of Christian human rights advocacy. He challenged them that if they want to see an end to human slavery and trafficking, they need to work to promote the rule of law and just functioning judicial systems in the developing world.

The speakers represented different backgrounds and spoke with very different styles. But each helped students to better understand the world of international human rights. And they left the students better prepared to enter that world and to make a difference.

Hi from Strasbourg (Part I)

Hard to believe, but we are already halfway through our Summer Program on International Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. Seems like a good time for a quick update.

It has been a great program! Beautiful and historic location, impressive and compelling guest speakers (more on that in a later report), interesting and fun field trips (European Court of Human Rights, medieval castle, and more)--and particularly compelling classes (of course, as one of the teachers, I may be a bit biased!).

Here, though, is what I have enjoyed most: the strong sense of community among the students. We have 33 students: 25 from Regent; 5 from Liberty; 2 from Handong Interntional Law School; and 1 from Ave Maria. Despite their different backgrounds, the students have become one big family. Students who didn't know each other until three weeks ago are now travel buddies. Close fellowship and camaraderie takes place across school lines, ethnic lines, and nationality lines. Each student now has many more friends than when he or she came to Europe.

I am thankful that our family gets to be a part of this community, too. Not only do I spend time with the students every day in class, but our family joins them for field trips, special events, and some of the meals. In short, the last three weeks have been a joy!