The Stanford Journal of International Law is hosting a Young Scholar's Symposium dedicated to research on African legal developments, March 12-13, 2004. This event is meant to encourage legal scholarship and provide a forum for interdisciplinary dialogue. The symposium will consist of several panel discussions covering a broad array of legal topics. While the forum will highlight the works of young scholars, panel discussions will include prominent academicians and practitioners whose work draws them to Africa and international law.
Africa has often been referred to as the Lost Continent.Popular media attention and academic scholarship have largely ignored economic, social, and political developments on the African continent, as well as the impact of larger world issues on Africa's development. What role, if any, are legal developments playing in addressing the challenges of governance and human security in Africa, including the scourge of AIDS, the difficulties of conflict resolution and post-conflict transition, and the pressing need for economic development? Do recent developments such as the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development represent a turning point for regional development and stability? Finally, what role should legal institutions, both domestic and international, play in fostering an environment conducive to political, economic and social development?