Loyola University Chicago and the African Union (AU) signed a milestone memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week that signified a multi-year program of cooperation designed to build capacity within the African Union, its Member States, and the African Regional Economic Communities (RECs), to strengthen governance and the rule of law. Under the MOU, Loyola will partner with the AU to train and educate the staff of the AU, RECs, and AU Member States to strengthen their capacity to advance the rule of law throughout the region, an effort to be driven by African rule of law leaders and represent a dynamic force for change.
Professor Vincent Nmehielle, AU legal counsel and director of legal affairs, and David Yellen, dean of Loyola’s School of Law, signed the MOU at the AU Representational Mission to the United States in Washington, DC in the presence of the AU representative to the US, the chairperson of the African Group of Ambassadors, the African diplomatic corps, and other invited guests.
Reinforcing Loyola’s commitment to peace and justice, the School of Law offers an innovative Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development. Launched in 2011, this unique program, called PROLAW, provides training to advance social justice across the globe through effective, sustainable governance and strengthening of the rule of law. PROLAW is organized at Loyola’s John Felice Rome Center in Italy.
Under the terms of the MOU, selected staff and employees of the AU Member States officials, and staff of the RECs will attend PROLAW’s one-year, degree-granting program. Upon graduation, individuals will return to their home countries or respective organizations to assume the task of strengthening governance and the rule of law. In addition, Loyola will implement bi-annual, complementary seminars and workshops at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to further the development of AU staff. The program of cooperation is expected to educate more than 100 rule of law professionals over the next three years. The US Department of State has played a key role in supporting the work outlined in the agreement. An announcement about this role is forthcoming.
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