International Bar Association President Jaime Carey helps establish global law fellows network

The program’s main objectives are as follows:

• Defining the role of international lawyers in safeguarding the rule of law by providing participants with the relevant tools, strategies and ethical frameworks
• Cultivate a community of international law Salzburg Fellows beyond the program
• Draft a rule of law statement to serve as a guiding framework

“Thinking about how rising international lawyers will navigate the complex challenges facing the rule of law in the 21st century is what led to the establishment of the International Law Fellows Network,” Carey said in a statement. “It became clear that lawyers need to take on a greater role as defenders of the rule of law because of the numerous issues facing societies, such as a growing distrust of long-standing institutions, a perceived lack of transparency, equality, accountability and fairness, political instability, and the ongoing violations of fundamental rights and freedoms.”

Salzburg Global president and chief executive officer, Martin Weiss, said that the International Law Fellows Network built on the organization’s legacy.

“Since our founding in 1947, Salzburg Global is committed to advancing democracy and the rule of law across borders and disciplines. The International Law Fellows Network builds on that legacy, alongside our ongoing programs and the establishment of the Cutler Center, by empowering the next generation of legal professionals to defend the fundamental principles of justice, fairness and integrity at a time when they are under unprecedented strain, yes, even attack,” Weiss said in a statement.

Twenty-eight international law fellows converged at an event held at the Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria from March 27-30. Hailing from the public, non-profit and private sectors, early- and mid-career professionals examined the evolving role of international and transnational lawyers in maintaining democratic principles and protecting the rule of law alongside speakers, judges, and academics.

The event’s first session, “Safeguarding Democracy and the Rule of Law: The Crucial Role of Rising International Lawyers,” discussed threats to democratic societies and the rules-based international order, the rise of authoritarian power, political populism, polarisation, anti-democratic propaganda, disinformation campaigns and military aggression, according to the IBA. The participants also tackled upholding the rule of law through courts and international institutions, pro bono for the public good, and law firms on the front lines defending the rule of law through private practice.

The IBA confirmed that discussions were held under the Chatham House Rule, which prohibits the direct attributions of statements in print, online, social media, or broadcast without an author’s express permission. The participation of fellows and their contributions to the Salzburg Statement are anonymous.