W&M Law to Host April 3 Conference on Infectious Diseases in Post-Conflict Zones
On April 3rd, William & Mary Law School will host experts, policy makers and advocates for a discussion of current and future challenges with regard to infectious diseases in post-conflict communities around the world. The conference is presented by the Law School's Comparative Legal Studies Scholars, the International Law Society, and the Program in Comparative Legal Studies and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding. The event is made possible in part by funding from the Reves Center for International Studies and Themis Bar Review.
Professor Christie Warren underscored the need for the conference. "Health is an intrinsic part of human security," she said. "As the World Health Organization realizes, healthy people are resilient people, and resilient people tend to be optimistic and more capable of recovering from conflict and disaster. This symposium will explore the important contributions of physicians, women and civil society in the doubly fraught context of infectious diseases in post-conflict environments."
Speakers and topics will include:
Jeffrey Apperson, vice-president of NCSC International, will present on the importance of rule of law development and the role of international NGOs, local governments and other stakeholders.
Gissou Nia, deputy director at the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, will present on women's issues in transitional societies in the MENA region.
Kaveh Khoshnood, associate professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, will highlight the role of physicians in post-conflict reconstruction and the relationship between violence and health, with an emphasis on the rise of infectious diseases in Syria.
Sam Slewion, country resource expert at Villanova University Law School, will present on the challenges faced by the Liberian government in addressing the breakout of ebola.
Fahimeh Manjili, J.D. '15, co-founder of the Comparative Legal Studies Scholars, discussed the symposium's timely relevance and value. "This landmark symposium will provide an exciting opportunity for students, faculty and other participants to learn about a range of issues relating to infectious diseases, rule of law development, and human rights issues," she said. "The speakers represent a diverse range of expertise and viewpoints and greatly look forward to engaging with the participants. Anyone interested in issues relating to global public health, rule of law development, and international human rights is highly encouraged to attend what is sure to be a thought-provoking and illuminating event!"
While the conference is free and open to the public, pre-registration is requested for lunch participants. Please visit the symposium website to RSVP. For more information about the conference, contact Fahimeh Manjili at [[e|fhmanjili]].
The Comparative Legal Studies Scholars is the student division of the Program in Comparative Legal Studies and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding.