Training

2011 ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY

Overview

The right to food has been recognized since the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights; yet achieving food security remains a challenge. Participants to this seminar will be encouraged to think fundamentally about the topics selected for discussion, and in particular to consider how the private sector can be mobilized in the effort to secure long term food security and to increase agricultural productivity - within the context of a strategic national sector plan. The seminar will equip participants with the tools necessary to introduce and improve food security in their respective countries, and to address short and long term obstacles along the way. Case studies will be introduced throughout the seminar. The bulk of the seminar will focus on the selected topics listed under “Implementing and Sustaining Food Security” in the description below.

Course Outline

 ELEMENTS OF FOOD SECURITY

Legal Framework

• Towards an international legal framework for adequate food security
  
• National food security legal frameworks.

National Economic and political environment

• National fiscal situation and macroeconomic environment- price supports, subsidies and other governmental interventions
  
• Involvement of international and regional organizations
  
• Markets and products, existing and potential
  
• State of literacy and education.

NATIONAL SECTOR PLANNING

Methodology for developing an effective national sector plan

• Responsibilities and supervision
  
• Participation and consultation with national and local stakeholders (smallholders and farmer organizations, civil society, private sector, other groups)
• Considerations of institution building and reform. 

Role of the public sector and governmental policies

• Enabling a favorable economic and investment climate
  
• Public sector budgets and fiscal capacity
  
• Coordinated policies in land use, energy, water and other natural resources, irrigation, food safety and consumer protection, education, employment, trade, investment and competition, subsidies, price supports and other market interventions, infrastructure development, taxation and others
  
• Food supply, emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

Role of the private sector 

• Access to technology and to research and development
  
• Access to funds and financial technology
  
• Enhanced employment
  
• Education and training
  
• Management expertise.

Role of Civil Society 

• Social, civic and educational non-governmental organizations
• Labor organizations.
• Universities, non profits, NGOs
  
• Religious, fraternal, civic and charitable organizations
  
• Women's, ethnic and minority group organizations.

Role of International Institutions and Regional Organizations

• World Bank, United Nations, UN Food and Agriculture among others
  
• Types of funds and programs
• Access to funds and programs; management and accountability, coordination with other programs.

IMPLEMENTING AND SUSTAINING FOOD SECURITY (SELECTED TOPICS)

Markets and products- implications for market intervention, trade, investment and competition

• High value crops and agricultural products
  
• Innovation and the role of science and technology in agricultural production
  
• Analysis of markets and products- value chains; trade; and globalization of markets
  
• Role of research and development.

Public Private Partnerships and Agricultural Infrastructure

• Public private partnerships in agriculture
  
• Types of critical agricultural infrastructure-public private partnerships and other models
• Role of the government in bidding and procurement, governance, forms of government support, regulation and standards of service. 

Investment, Finance and Insurance

• Access to finance in the agricultural economy
  
• Transaction types and structures- land, facilities, crop production, export and import, operations
  
• Participants in agricultural and rural finance- investment funds, banks, international and regional organizations, insurance companies, leasing companies, credit companies, production equipment vendors, microfinance organizations
  
• Rural finance in the private sector- role of producer organizations, community organizations, collateral and land titles, negotiable instruments (warehouse receipts) and other financial instruments
• Investment funds in the agricultural sector- financing of high value and export products, biofuels and other hybrid products, agricultural lands
• Insurance and risk management in the business of agricultural - government and private insurers, role of international and regional institutions, types of products, other forms of risk mitigation.

Education and Training

• Access to basic education
  
• Agricultural education- vocational and technological training
  
• Financial education
  
• Education in rural areas
  
• Gender and ethnic and minority group considerations.

Food Safety, Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance

• National regulation and standards
• Role of international and regional organizations
• Best practices and standards
  
• Risk assessment and enforcement mechanisms.

Energy, Water and Environmental Protection

• Impact on agricultural economies of soaring prices for mineral fuels and the search for renewable energy resources
  
• Considerations of environmental policies and standards
  
• Issues surrounding water resources, irrigation and water supply.

Social Safety Nets and Emergency Preparedness

• Alleviating malnutrition and assuring adequate food supplies to the nation
• Emergency preparedness, planning and disaster relief.

Course Advisor

Mr. Martin D. Jacobson is a retired partner in Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, based in New York City. Mr. Jacobson has over 30 years of experience in financial and corporate transactions with a focus on project, infrastructure and aviation finance. He is currently a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School and is formerly a Franklin Fellow in the Office of the Legal Adviser in the U.S. Department of State. He holds a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), an M.B. A. from New York University (Stern School of Business), and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

2012 ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY

Overview

The right to food has been recognized since the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights; yet achieving food security remains a challenge. Participants to this seminar will be encouraged to think fundamentally about the topics selected for discussion, and in particular to consider how the private sector can be mobilized in the effort to secure long term food security and to increase agricultural productivity - within the context of a strategic national sector plan. The seminar will equip participants with the tools necessary to introduce and improve food security in their respective countries, and to address short and long term obstacles along the way. Case studies will be introduced throughout the seminar. The bulk of the seminar will focus on the selected topics listed under “Implementing and Sustaining Food Security” in the description below.

Course Outline

 ELEMENTS OF FOOD SECURITY

Legal Framework

• Towards an international legal framework for adequate food security
  
• National food security legal frameworks.

National Economic and political environment

• National fiscal situation and macroeconomic environment- price supports, subsidies and other governmental interventions
  
• Involvement of international and regional organizations
  
• Markets and products, existing and potential
  
• State of literacy and education.

NATIONAL SECTOR PLANNING

Methodology for developing an effective national sector plan

• Responsibilities and supervision
  
• Participation and consultation with national and local stakeholders (smallholders and farmer organizations, civil society, private sector, other groups)
• Considerations of institution building and reform. 

Role of the public sector and governmental policies

• Enabling a favorable economic and investment climate
  
• Public sector budgets and fiscal capacity
  
• Coordinated policies in land use, energy, water and other natural resources, irrigation, food safety and consumer protection, education, employment, trade, investment and competition, subsidies, price supports and other market interventions, infrastructure development, taxation and others
  
• Food supply, emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

Role of the private sector 

• Access to technology and to research and development
  
• Access to funds and financial technology
  
• Enhanced employment
  
• Education and training
  
• Management expertise.

Role of Civil Society 

• Social, civic and educational non-governmental organizations
• Labor organizations.
• Universities, non profits, NGOs
  
• Religious, fraternal, civic and charitable organizations
  
• Women's, ethnic and minority group organizations.

Role of International Institutions and Regional Organizations

• World Bank, United Nations, UN Food and Agriculture among others
  
• Types of funds and programs
• Access to funds and programs; management and accountability, coordination with other programs.

IMPLEMENTING AND SUSTAINING FOOD SECURITY (SELECTED TOPICS)

Markets and products- implications for market intervention, trade, investment and competition

• High value crops and agricultural products
  
• Innovation and the role of science and technology in agricultural production
  
• Analysis of markets and products- value chains; trade; and globalization of markets
  
• Role of research and development.

Public Private Partnerships and Agricultural Infrastructure

• Public private partnerships in agriculture
  
• Types of critical agricultural infrastructure-public private partnerships and other models
• Role of the government in bidding and procurement, governance, forms of government support, regulation and standards of service. 

Investment, Finance and Insurance

• Access to finance in the agricultural economy
  
• Transaction types and structures- land, facilities, crop production, export and import, operations
  
• Participants in agricultural and rural finance- investment funds, banks, international and regional organizations, insurance companies, leasing companies, credit companies, production equipment vendors, microfinance organizations
  
• Rural finance in the private sector- role of producer organizations, community organizations, collateral and land titles, negotiable instruments (warehouse receipts) and other financial instruments
• Investment funds in the agricultural sector- financing of high value and export products, biofuels and other hybrid products, agricultural lands
• Insurance and risk management in the business of agricultural - government and private insurers, role of international and regional institutions, types of products, other forms of risk mitigation.

Education and Training

• Access to basic education
  
• Agricultural education- vocational and technological training
  
• Financial education
  
• Education in rural areas
  
• Gender and ethnic and minority group considerations.

Food Safety, Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance

• National regulation and standards
• Role of international and regional organizations
• Best practices and standards
  
• Risk assessment and enforcement mechanisms.

Energy, Water and Environmental Protection

• Impact on agricultural economies of soaring prices for mineral fuels and the search for renewable energy resources
  
• Considerations of environmental policies and standards
  
• Issues surrounding water resources, irrigation and water supply.

Social Safety Nets and Emergency Preparedness

• Alleviating malnutrition and assuring adequate food supplies to the nation
• Emergency preparedness, planning and disaster relief.

Course Advisor

Mr. Martin D. Jacobson is a retired partner in Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, based in New York City. Mr. Jacobson has over 30 years of experience in financial and corporate transactions with a focus on project, infrastructure and aviation finance. He is currently a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School and is formerly a Franklin Fellow in the Office of the Legal Adviser in the U.S. Department of State. He holds a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), an M.B. A. from New York University (Stern School of Business), and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

U.S. ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS

The International Law Institute is proud to announce our

2011 Legal English and Legal Writing

and Orientation to the U.S. Legal System Program

The International Law Institute [ILI] stands as an originator of U.S. legal orientation programs specifically designed for foreign law students and practicing international lawyers.

The Interantional Law Institute was first to create the "Orientation to the U.S. Legal System" now in its 41st year.  This program is designed to introduce foreign young attorneys to the study of common law and to prepare them for their international legal practice and studies at U.S. law schools. 

ILI ADVANTAGES

Expertise

Our Legal English and Orientation in the U.S. Legal System programs are led by internationally renowned faculty from the ILI, Georgetown University, partners from top Washington D.C. law firms, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government Federal Attorneys and senior members from the American Bar Association (ABA). 

Networking

Network with outstanding professionals, famous legal scholars, and colleagues from all over the world.

Private Coaching 

Each participant will have a U.S. lawyer made available to discuss legal issues, proof read documents or clarify legal terminology or document structure.

Location 

Washington, D.C. is the seat of the U.S. Federal government; headquarters to multinational organizations such as the World Bank, IMF and MCC.  Study at ILI provides international legal students a unique opportunity to study in the center of U.S. and international law.

LEGAL ENGLISH AND LEGAL WRITING  [July 11 - 22, 2011]   Program Details

Intensive and specialized training in Legal English terminology in both written and oral formats.  Designed to enhance international participant's proficiency to better understand and compete with U.S. counterparts.

Also develops advanced skills to succeed in legal research and writing assignments. Emphasis on components of legal arguments and reliance on common law reasoning and statutory interpretation.

• Develop research, legal reasoning and writing skills to meet the standard requirements of U.S. law schools and firms.

• Introduce students to the judicial precedent and statutory interpretation in Common Law jurisdictions.

• Familiarize students to effective research strategies, use of primary and secondary research materials, and professional legal writing by completing a writing project as a course requirement. 

Kevin Fandl, Chief of Alternatives to Detention Unit at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and former Fulbright Fellow (Colombia), specializes in International Trade Law and economic development. Professor Fandl is adjunct faculty at the American University Washington College of Law since 2004, where he has been teaching Legal English and Legal Writing since 2004. Mr. Fandl has significant experience teaching Legal English in other countries, including Chile, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

ORIENTATION IN THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM   [July 25 - August 5, 2011]    Program Details

Comprehensive training of the Common Law and the U.S. Legal System

Focus of this course will include:

• Understanding the U.S. Legal System and its institutions
• Analyze the impact of U.S. law on international organizations
• Develop analytical and research capabilities needed to study in common law systems in U.S. law schools or in prominent U.S. law firms

Study Areas will include:

• American Court Systems
• US Civil Procedure Abroad
• Arbitration: Enforcement
• Civil Litigation and Jurisdictional Courts  US Product Liability
• Negotiation of contracts with US Lawyers
• Extra-territorial Application of US Law    
• US Insurance System
• American Torts in International Settings
• Effects of Sarbanes –Oxley and SEC
• US Regulatory Systems

Professor Charles Abernathy is course director for this program.  Prof. Abernathy is professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Professor Abernathy has written casebooks on constitutional litigation and the law of equal employment opportunities. His publication "LAW IN THE UNITED STATES: CASES AND MATERIALS" serves as the basic text for the Orientation seminar.

ENROLL IN BOTH PROGRAMS AND SAVE!   Combination Program Details

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2011 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Overview

This course empowers participants to become effective leaders and managers in the international development context. International development work involves multi-stakeholder cooperation and delivery in challenging environments. We designed this course to target governments from developing countries as well as practitioners in the international development community. The course tailors leadership and management training as it pertains to the public service sector and public sector reform. The skill set that needs to be developed includes leadership and decision-making, organizational management, human capital development, accountability and reporting standards, negotiations, navigating through political waters, and effective communications.

Course Outline

Leading Teams and Organizations

• Developing personal leadership competencies: self awareness; courage; vision; strategic and analytical thinking; learning agility; decisiveness; energy; results driven; credibility; influence; communication
• Planning for and achieving team and organizational results
• Building and maintaining relationships
• Recognizing human potential and delegating appropriately
• Building diversity
• Fostering innovation
• Handling risks, changes, complications and conflicts
• Coaching and appraisal
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Cultural adaptation

General team and organizational management skills: change management; communication management; conflict management; constraint management; crisis management; decision management; financial management; human resource management; information management; operations management; perception management; performance management; process management; project and program management; quality management; resource management; risk management; skills management; strategic management

Leadership and Management in the International Development Work

• Meeting donor and other key stakeholder requirements
• Building strong relationships with strategic partners
• Executing in challenging political environments
• Working with limited resources
• Institutionalizing open and participatory communication channels
• Negotiations

Course Advisors

Kim Phan is the Executive Director of the International Law Institute; she oversees the operations and management of the Institute as well as its practice areas. In addition to being Executive Director, Ms. Phan is also the Director of Business Development, in that capacity she serves as the Project Director for all of ILI's projects with various donors, countries, and partners. Prior to joining ILI, she worked under the U.S. Mission at the Asian Development Bank as the U.S. – Asia Environmental Partnership representative. Ms. Phan has a Masters in the Study of Law from Northwestern University School of Law and a B.A. from Allegheny College with a focus in Nuclear Warfare Strategy.

Gerhard Botha is the Director of Programs at the International Law Institute and has more than 25 years of legal and international development experience. Prior to ILI, he was at the World Bank, serving for eight years as a senior sector specialist in legal and judicial reform and private and financial sector development, in several countries. Mr. Botha has also worked in labor/employment law and relations, conflict resolution and negotiations, in private practice and within a large corporate environment in Southern Africa. Mr. Botha holds B.A. and LL.B degrees from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, an LL.M degree in labor law from the University of South Africa and an LL.M focusing on labor/ employment law and alternate dispute resolution, from The George Washington University Law School in Washington DC.