Supporting Inclusive Resource Development in East Africa
On Jan. 20, the CBA and Global Affairs Canada finalized a contribution agreement for a five-year project titled Supporting Inclusive Resource Development in East Africa. SIRD will be implemented by CBA International Initiatives in partnership with the Law Society of Kenya, Tanganyika Law Society, Uganda Law Society and East African Law Society. Ultimately, the project aims to increase economic growth for East Africans affected by extractive industries, including women and vulnerable groups. SIRD activities will be supported by CBA members from across Canada who will provide training, mentorship, and technical advice on initiatives aimed at increasing:
- engagement (e.g. advocacy, negotiation, drafting agreements, etc.) of the legal profession to support the participation of civil society and domestic private sector in the extractive industries;
- advocacy by the legal profession to reform laws to reflect the principles of transparency and accountability in the extractive industries; and
- community participation in consultations, dialogue, negotiations, advocacy and other initiatives to advance their rights related to the extractive industries.
From Feb. 24 – March 10, CBAII staff met with partner law societies in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (pictured above). The CBA has a long history supporting access to justice initiatives in East Africa, and is pleased to continue collaborating with law societies in the region.
CBA Young Lawyers International Program wraps up another successful year
Interns placed with 13 organizations in six countries across Africa and Asia and in South America completed their placements this spring. The CBA is waiting to hear about further funding in the coming year and hopes to post any new opportunities in later 2017 or early 2018.
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National Legislative Development Project in Vietnam
The National Legislative Development Project in Vietnam is concluding the implementation of the Year 2, Phase 2 work plan. This year has been a transition year before the Law on the Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents, 2015 becomes fully operational. This year focused on finalizing policy development and legislative drafting handbooks and other instruments to enhance the law-making process. Next project year, technical support will focus on strategic planning for the implementation of the law, training for policy analysts and legislative drafters, gender-based analysis in the legislative process, lexicons and official translation protocol, and pilot policy and legislative initiatives in economic-related areas.
Attorney of Tomorrow Program in Ukraine
In November 2016, CBAII entered into Phase 2 of its agreement with the Canadian Bureau for International Education to provide technical support to its Quality Access to Legal Aid project in Ukraine. Under Phase 2, the CBA has been working with the Coordination Center for Legal Aid Provision, the Ukrainian Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Legal Aid Providers to create a professional development training program for Ukrainian lawyers. The program focuses on increasing access to justice, improving professional skills and values and advancing legal professionals in serving the most vulnerable groups of the Ukrainian population. CBA's involvement will end in March 2017.