Professor George Edwards completed a 5-day lecture tour in the South Pacific, hosted by the U.S. Department of State EducationUSA affiliated network. From 21 – 25 August, 2017 he delivered lectures and briefings at two U.S. Embassies, one U.S. Consulate and EducationUSA Advising Centers and American Corners, and a law faculty in three South Pacific countries -- Samoa, Fiji and Australia. Separate from his EducationUSA / U.S. Embassy engagements, he lectured at an additional South Pacific law faculty, visited the U.S. territory of American Samoa and met with an American Samoan prosecutor, and visited an Australian legal aid office where his Indiana law student is working as a human rights law intern.
Professor Edwards’ South Pacific speaking tour follows his recent similar Central and North Asia EducationUSA tour earlier in August, in which he spoke at EducationUSA Advising Centers in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), and Kazakhstan (Almaty).
Professor Edwards stated, “My South Pacific speaking tour and my Central and North Asia speaking tour were similarly insightful and productive. Many local stakeholders in these regions expressed strong interest in studying law at many of our 200 U.S. ABA-accredited law school programs, and otherwise engaging with our many thousands of U.S. law school professors and students. Doors are now open a little further, to benefit students, faculty, law schools, and other law institutions in the U.S. and abroad. This public and people-to-people diplomacy promotes cultural awareness and mutual understanding, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights. I thank the U.S. Department of State and its affiliated EducationUSA network for facilitating these beneficial undertakings.”
Professor Edwards’ South Pacific speaking tour follows his recent similar Central and North Asia EducationUSA tour earlier in August, in which he spoke at EducationUSA Advising Centers in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), and Kazakhstan (Almaty).
Professor Edwards stated, “My South Pacific speaking tour and my Central and North Asia speaking tour were similarly insightful and productive. Many local stakeholders in these regions expressed strong interest in studying law at many of our 200 U.S. ABA-accredited law school programs, and otherwise engaging with our many thousands of U.S. law school professors and students. Doors are now open a little further, to benefit students, faculty, law schools, and other law institutions in the U.S. and abroad. This public and people-to-people diplomacy promotes cultural awareness and mutual understanding, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights. I thank the U.S. Department of State and its affiliated EducationUSA network for facilitating these beneficial undertakings.”
With Ms. Samantha Jackson (EducationUSA Coordinator, U.S. Consulate, Melbourne, Australia). First stop – Melbourne, Australia – Monday (Presentations at the U.S. Consulate & at Monash University Faculty of Law)
U.S. Consulate – Melbourne
The U.S. Consulate in Melbourne, Australia, was the site of Professor Edwards’ first EducationUSA presentation on his 5-day South Pacific speaking tour. On Monday, 21 August 2017, he was hosted by Ms. Samantha Jackson, who is Coordinator for EducationUSA, based at the Consulate. Professor Edwards’ presentation was titled: Do You Want to Study Law in the United States: What Australians May Want to Know About U.S. Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Other U.S. Law Degree Programs. His co-presenter was Mr. Joseph Scales, who is an Indiana McKinney Juris Doctor (J.D.) student, who is working as a law intern at WEstjustice, a legal aid office in Weribee & Footscray, Australia. Mr. Scales’ placement is through the Indiana McKinney Program in International Human Rights Law, founded by Professor Edwards, that has had over internship 200 placements in 67 countries. The Indiana Law School provides scholarship funding for students’ airfare, housing, food and other expenses.
U.S. Consulate – Melbourne
The U.S. Consulate in Melbourne, Australia, was the site of Professor Edwards’ first EducationUSA presentation on his 5-day South Pacific speaking tour. On Monday, 21 August 2017, he was hosted by Ms. Samantha Jackson, who is Coordinator for EducationUSA, based at the Consulate. Professor Edwards’ presentation was titled: Do You Want to Study Law in the United States: What Australians May Want to Know About U.S. Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Other U.S. Law Degree Programs. His co-presenter was Mr. Joseph Scales, who is an Indiana McKinney Juris Doctor (J.D.) student, who is working as a law intern at WEstjustice, a legal aid office in Weribee & Footscray, Australia. Mr. Scales’ placement is through the Indiana McKinney Program in International Human Rights Law, founded by Professor Edwards, that has had over internship 200 placements in 67 countries. The Indiana Law School provides scholarship funding for students’ airfare, housing, food and other expenses.
U.S. Consul General Frankie A. Reed, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Edwards’ U.S. Consulate presentation focused on law school education in the U.S. generally, and did not highlight any specific U.S. school. He provided information on the many U.S. law schools that accept Australian students for law degree programs, tips on how Australian prospective students might choose among the numerous law schools, the application and admission process, life during the academic program, and students reaching their goals post-graduation.
EducationUSA invited Mr. Scales to return to the U.S. Consulate during his Australian internship to record a video to be placed on the EducationUSA / Consulate website as a resource for Australians interested in studying law in the U.S. Future cooperation and projects include the possibility of podcasts, webinars, and other means for Professor Edwards to convey information to Australians seeking to study law in the U.S.
EducationUSA invited Mr. Scales to return to the U.S. Consulate during his Australian internship to record a video to be placed on the EducationUSA / Consulate website as a resource for Australians interested in studying law in the U.S. Future cooperation and projects include the possibility of podcasts, webinars, and other means for Professor Edwards to convey information to Australians seeking to study law in the U.S.
Professor Edwards lectures at Monash University Faculty of Law. on the right to a fair trial under international law and domestic law. Monash University Faculty of Law – Melbourne
Also on Monday Professor Edwards delivered a 3 ½-hour lecture at the University of Monash Faculty of Law on the topic of the right to a fair trial under international and domestic law, using the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Military Commissions as a discussion vehicle. This presentation was part of an intensive law course titled “Australians Detained Abroad” taught by Professor Michael Dan Mori, U.S. Marines Lt. Col. (ret), who was defense counsel in the Guantanamo Bay case against Australian David Hicks, who in 2007 was the first person convicted by a U.S. military commission since World War II.
Also on Monday Professor Edwards delivered a 3 ½-hour lecture at the University of Monash Faculty of Law on the topic of the right to a fair trial under international and domestic law, using the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Military Commissions as a discussion vehicle. This presentation was part of an intensive law course titled “Australians Detained Abroad” taught by Professor Michael Dan Mori, U.S. Marines Lt. Col. (ret), who was defense counsel in the Guantanamo Bay case against Australian David Hicks, who in 2007 was the first person convicted by a U.S. military commission since World War II.
Professor Edwards and Professor Mori following Professor Edwards Monash Faculty of Law lecture on the right to a fair trial under international law. Professor Edwards and his Indiana McKinney and Stetson Law School students worked on behalf of Mr. Hicks’s defense, and Professor Edwards was tendered as an expert witness in the case. Professor Edwards testified by affidavit (twice) in that case, and was one the first two legal experts and was the first U.S. legal expert permitted to travel to Guantanamo Bay, which he did in 2007 accompanied by Australia’s Professor Tim McCormack.
From Left: Professor Michael Dan Mori; Professor George Edwards; Mr. Joseph Scales. At Monash University Faculty of Law, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Edwards discussed whether the right to a fair trial is a universal right, meaning the same thing in Melbourne as it does in Madrid, Mississippi, or Mumbai or Mozambique. He also discussed the elements of a fair trial, how one knows when a fair trial is being had (or know when the trial is not fair), who determines whether a trial is fair, and how fair trials can be assured.
Furthermore, Professor Edwards discussed the confluence, overlap and differences among international human rights law, international humanitarian law (law of war) and international criminal law, as they all relate to the right to a fair trial. He noted that defendants have fair trial rights and interests, but other stakeholders with rights and interests in a fair trial include not only defendants, but also include the prosecution, victims and their families, the judge, the media, the U.S. and international communities, the guard force, non-defendant detainees, witnesses, non-governmental organization (NGO) observers, and others.
The Monash Law Faculty presentation was unrelated to the EducationUSA / Embassy / Consulate presentations in Australia, Fiji and Samoa.
Furthermore, Professor Edwards discussed the confluence, overlap and differences among international human rights law, international humanitarian law (law of war) and international criminal law, as they all relate to the right to a fair trial. He noted that defendants have fair trial rights and interests, but other stakeholders with rights and interests in a fair trial include not only defendants, but also include the prosecution, victims and their families, the judge, the media, the U.S. and international communities, the guard force, non-defendant detainees, witnesses, non-governmental organization (NGO) observers, and others.
The Monash Law Faculty presentation was unrelated to the EducationUSA / Embassy / Consulate presentations in Australia, Fiji and Samoa.
Right to left: U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires C. “Tony” Greubel; Public Affairs Specialist Dee; EducationUSA Professor Edwards; Adviser Sharon Mona; and Mr. Myki. Following Professor Edwards' presentation at the Apia, Samoa American Corner / U.S. Embassy Extension. To Apia, Samoa – Tuesday / Wednesday
After a long flight from Melbourne with a plane change in Fiji, Professor Edwards arrived at Apia, Samoa, where on Tuesday he confirmed arrangements for his Samoa presentation, at which he was hosted by the following U.S. Embassy officials who attended the presentation: U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires C. “Tony” Greubel; EducationUSA Adviser Sharon Mona; Public Affairs Specialist Dee; and Mr. Myki. Professor Edwards’ presentation was titled: U.S. Law School Education for Students from Samoa (Western Samoa). The presentation was held in an Embassy extension -- the America Corner in the Nelson Mandela Library -- directly across the street from the main Embassy building. The American Corner serves as the EducationUSA Advising Center, and Samoan students are able to use the facility for courses, internet access, and to access volumes of reading materials.
After a long flight from Melbourne with a plane change in Fiji, Professor Edwards arrived at Apia, Samoa, where on Tuesday he confirmed arrangements for his Samoa presentation, at which he was hosted by the following U.S. Embassy officials who attended the presentation: U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires C. “Tony” Greubel; EducationUSA Adviser Sharon Mona; Public Affairs Specialist Dee; and Mr. Myki. Professor Edwards’ presentation was titled: U.S. Law School Education for Students from Samoa (Western Samoa). The presentation was held in an Embassy extension -- the America Corner in the Nelson Mandela Library -- directly across the street from the main Embassy building. The American Corner serves as the EducationUSA Advising Center, and Samoan students are able to use the facility for courses, internet access, and to access volumes of reading materials.
Right to left: U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Specialist Dee; EducationUSA Professor Edwards; Adviser Sharon Mona, At Samoa American Corner / U.S. Embassy Extension. To Pago Pago, American Samoa – Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, following his Samoan Embassy EducationUSA presentation, Professor Edwards was driven to an airstrip 5 minutes from downtown Apia where he boarded a propeller jet for a 30-minute low-flying flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa, where Indiana McKinney law student Luke Purdy interned several years ago through the Program in International Human Rights Law that Professor Edwards founded. Professor Edwards met an American Samoan prosecutor, and they discussed, among other things, legal education and qualifications for the practice of law in American Samoa.
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the U.S., as are Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Island.
On Wednesday afternoon, following his Samoan Embassy EducationUSA presentation, Professor Edwards was driven to an airstrip 5 minutes from downtown Apia where he boarded a propeller jet for a 30-minute low-flying flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa, where Indiana McKinney law student Luke Purdy interned several years ago through the Program in International Human Rights Law that Professor Edwards founded. Professor Edwards met an American Samoan prosecutor, and they discussed, among other things, legal education and qualifications for the practice of law in American Samoa.
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the U.S., as are Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Island.
Flights to and from Apia and Pago Pago cease operating at 4:45 each afternoon, so the planes can avoid flying after the sun sets. Neither airstrip has lights; the pilots rely on visually spotting the runways.
Planes do not take off or land on these two airstrips if evening is approaching. If a plane is late flying into Apia, it is diverted to the main international airport in Samoa, which is an hour’s drive from Apia. There is no alternative airstrip on American Samoa for late planes to land after dark.
Planes do not take off or land on these two airstrips if evening is approaching. If a plane is late flying into Apia, it is diverted to the main international airport in Samoa, which is an hour’s drive from Apia. There is no alternative airstrip on American Samoa for late planes to land after dark.
To Nadi, Fiji – Thursday / Friday
Thursday morning began with Professor Edwards stopping by the U.S. Embassy – Samoa (Apia), de-briefing on his visit to Pago Pago, American Samoa the previous afternoon, and debriefing on the Embassy presentation the previous morning.
After saying farewell to U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires “Tony” Greubel and EducationUSA Adviser Sharon Mona, Professor Edwards embarked on the drive through the Samoa countryside to the main Apia airport, about 60 minutes away.
Professor Edwards flew for over 2 hours from Apia, Samoa to Nadi, Fiji.
Thursday morning began with Professor Edwards stopping by the U.S. Embassy – Samoa (Apia), de-briefing on his visit to Pago Pago, American Samoa the previous afternoon, and debriefing on the Embassy presentation the previous morning.
After saying farewell to U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires “Tony” Greubel and EducationUSA Adviser Sharon Mona, Professor Edwards embarked on the drive through the Samoa countryside to the main Apia airport, about 60 minutes away.
Professor Edwards flew for over 2 hours from Apia, Samoa to Nadi, Fiji.
Inside the U.S. Embassy, Suva, Fiji. Right to left -- Ms. Julianne Sutherland (Cultural Affairs); Ms. Violet P. Taukave (EducationUSA Advisor); Public Affairs Specialist At the Nadi, Fiji, airport Professor Edwards was picked up by a driver organized by the U.S. Embassy, Fiji, and driven for 3 ½ hours by car to Suva, Fiji, where Friday morning he gave a briefing at the U.S. Embassy. The briefing was conducted live with a videoconference conference component -- with U.S. officials in the room with him at the Suva Embassy, with connections to EducationUSA elsewhere in Fiji. Live and remote U.S. Embassy officials and others who attended included Ms. Shivanjani M. Naidu, Ms. Julianne Sutherland, Ms. Alena S. Vesikula-Vatuwaliwali, and Ms. Violet P. Taukave.
Faculty and staff of the University of Fiji School of Law, with Professor Edwards, following his faculty / staff presentation, before his student lecture. Ms. Violet P. Taukave escorted Professor Edwards to the University of Fiji School of Law where he presented to faculty and staff on the topic of Guantanamo Bay: Fair Trial Past & Present. He was hosted by University of Fiji School of Law Dean & Professor of Law Shaista Shameem, with whom he discussed the possibility of faculty and staff exchanges between Indiana McKinney and the Fiji Law School, contributions to the new Unifiji Law Review, and possibilities for remote and live teaching at the Fiji campus. He spoke about opportunities for Fiji law professors, staff and students to go on exchanges and otherwise cooperate with various other U.S. law schools, and the possibilities for law professors, staff and students from U.S. law schools to go on exchanges to Fiji. Ms. Violet P. Taukave spoke briefly about U.S. government resources that could possibly be available for such undertakings involving U.S. law schools and the Fiji faculty.
Professor Edwards and students, faculty and staff of the University of Fiji School of Law following his presentation. Following the faculty / staff presentation, Professor Edwards delivered a lecture to the student body, and to faculty and staff, on the topic of U.S. Legal Education – Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges for Students from Fiji. Ms. Violet P. Taukave discussed with the students resources available at the U.S. Embassy, including the EducationUSA Advising Center, where student from Fiji may go to learn more about studying in the U.S. She spoke about the library reading materials, computers, training courses and other resources available at the U.S. Embassy for students from Fiji to use. She also spoke briefly about student visas for students from Fiji, and about scholarships that might be available, including the Fulbright.
Professor Edwards also met Fiji / former Wall Street lawyer Ms. Adrienne Ali, who is opening a civil and human rights non-governmental organization in Suva in October 2017, and discussed, among other things, Indiana McKinney law student interns working at this new organization in 2018.
Professor Edwards also met Fiji / former Wall Street lawyer Ms. Adrienne Ali, who is opening a civil and human rights non-governmental organization in Suva in October 2017, and discussed, among other things, Indiana McKinney law student interns working at this new organization in 2018.
Following his University of Fiji presentations, a driver organized by the Embassy drove Professor Edwards from Suva, Fiji for 3 ½ hours back to Nadi, Fiji, the first leg of his return trip to the United States.
WEstjustice – near Melbourne
Just before the official 5-day speaking tour began, within hours after touching down in Melbourne, Australia from the U.S., Professor Edwards visited WEstjustice, a legal aid center hosting Indiana McKinney law student Mr. Joseph Scales as a human rights law intern. While at WEstjustice’s Footscray office, Professor Edwards met Mr. Scales’ supervisors and other WEstjustice staff. Professor Edwards also met Ms. Fionna McLeod, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Australia, which is the national body representing 16 state and territory legal professional bodies as well as Law Firms Australia
Just before the official 5-day speaking tour began, within hours after touching down in Melbourne, Australia from the U.S., Professor Edwards visited WEstjustice, a legal aid center hosting Indiana McKinney law student Mr. Joseph Scales as a human rights law intern. While at WEstjustice’s Footscray office, Professor Edwards met Mr. Scales’ supervisors and other WEstjustice staff. Professor Edwards also met Ms. Fionna McLeod, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Australia, which is the national body representing 16 state and territory legal professional bodies as well as Law Firms Australia
Conclusion – Comments by Professor Edwards
Professor Edwards spoke about his 5-day South Pacific speaking tour, saying, “I am excited about the possibility of more U.S. law schools and law professors collaborating with the South Pacific EducationUSA Advising Centers and U.S. Embassies and Consulates I visited in Samoa, Australia and Fiji. We on both sides of the Pacific can learn from exchanges with each other, whether the exchanges involve U.S. law students and professors traveling to the South Pacific, or South Pacific students and professors traveling to the U.S. We all also benefit from electronic and other cooperation that does not involve physical travel.”
Professor Edwards spoke about his 5-day South Pacific speaking tour, saying, “I am excited about the possibility of more U.S. law schools and law professors collaborating with the South Pacific EducationUSA Advising Centers and U.S. Embassies and Consulates I visited in Samoa, Australia and Fiji. We on both sides of the Pacific can learn from exchanges with each other, whether the exchanges involve U.S. law students and professors traveling to the South Pacific, or South Pacific students and professors traveling to the U.S. We all also benefit from electronic and other cooperation that does not involve physical travel.”
Professor Edwards said, “This 5-day South Pacific speaking tour was an excellent opportunity to cement valuable relationships, making it easier for law students and legal professionals on both sides of the Pacific to collaborate. I hope that many law schools in the U.S. will cooperate with the EducationUSA Advising Centers in the South Pacific, and with the Embassies and Consulates that house and support these Centers. Likewise, I hope that more law faculties and students from the South Pacific take advantage of resources available at and through our many U.S. law schools.”
Professor Edwards said, “This 5-day South Pacific speaking tour promoted public diplomacy and people-to people diplomacy, which both in turn promoted cultural awareness and mutual understanding, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights. Those of us on both sides of the Pacific benefitted from this rich and valuable exchange.”
Professor Edwards said, “In Fiji I visited my 39th EducationUSA Advising Center”, speaking of the U.S. State Department network with 450 Centers in almost 200 countries around the globe. He said, “Students, parents, university administrators, Center staff and others I speak to at EducationUSA Advising Centers always seem eager to learn about local students going to the U.S. to study law. International students want to study many different areas of law in the U.S., and consider many U.S. law schools that offer Master of Laws (LL.M.) and other suitable law degrees. I happily provide as much information as possible to students wishing to attend any of the many dozens of U.S. law schools whose doors are open to international students.”
Professor Edwards said, “My South Pacific visit was short, but it was very productive. I encountered a broad network of law professionals, including law students, and discussed substantive international law, international legal education, and information sharing and cooperation. I learned a great deal from EducationUSA Advisors, academics, government officials, law students, and the private bar.”
Professor Edwards said, “The U.S. Department of State deserves great credit for having on staff high quality officials who promote the diplomacy associated with international education, such as Mr. Antony Koliha, the Director of the State Department’s Office of Global Educational Programs, and Dr. Alfred (Fred) Boll, Branch Chief, EducationUSA, Office of Global Educational Programs, both based at State’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Their commitment and stewardship, along with that of hundreds of EducationUSA Advisors (including dozens I have met in the field around the globe), help make the EducationUSA network as highly valuable and effective as it is.”
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