28 August 2009

Experts in Sheffield to discuss global sustainability

Experts in international law gathered at the University of Sheffield on 26 and 27 August to discuss some of the most fundamental issues facing the global community.

Government officials, diplomats, civil servants and academics from over 20 different countries attended the `Global Justice and Sustainable Development´ conference. Organised by Professor Duncan French, from the University´s School of Law, the conference aimed to address the role of international law in the achievement of global justice and sustainability.

Sustainable development seeks to manage how we use our resources to enable economic growth across the global community, whilst ensuring future generations are able to do the same. The conference looked at the role of justice when seeking this sustainability and addressed how we can guarantee fair access to the Earth´s resources for all people within the current generation, and for people in future generations.

A range of topics were discussed including climate change, access to water resources, international trade and investment, stakeholder and community participation, and ecological justice.

Professor Paul Mosley, from the Department of Economics at the University of Sheffield provided the keynote speech on the role of international organisations in supporting the rule of law and economic development in failing states.

Professor Duncan French said: "Sustainable development and global justice raise some of the most pressing issues of our time. Though international law cannot, by itself, provide comprehensive solutions to the environmental, social and economic challenges facing the global community, law will always be a fundamental aspect of any meaningful response.

"Moreover, international law provides the only framework by which the global community is able to coordinate and implement effective response and adaptation strategies, particularly if we also value strategies that are fair to the developing world."