Schlesinger Lecture

The Hastings International & Comparative Law Review Schlesinger Lecture Series

Every Year, HICLR hosts the Schlesinger Lecture, a symposium named after preeminent comparative legal scholar Rudolph B. Schlesinger.  He transformed comparative law into a viable academic field of study, and his textbook on the subject remains a best-selling text in American law schools.

In honor of Schlesinger's legacy, the symposium provides a forum for discourse and analysis of international legal issues.  The Lecture serves this end by bringing to Hastings distinguished scholars who grapple with cutting-edge international issues and present particularly shrewd insights.  Past speakers have ranged from globally recognized experts on international law such as Professor Philippe Sands of the University College of London to world-renowned scholars from other disciplines such as Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Chair of Arab Studies and director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University.  The Schlesinger Lecture is one of the best attended events at Hastings and continues to grow in prestige.

The 2011-12 Schlesinger Lecture

Please check back with this page for updates and details on the 2011-12 symposium to come.  To learn more about past or upcoming symposia, feel free to contact hiclrsymposium@gmail.com. 

The 2010-11 Schlesinger Lecture: The Hastings International & Comparative Law Review Symposium on Roma: Persecution, Exclusion and the Struggle for Human Rights

Conference - 4/1/11 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Location: Alumni Reception Center, 200 McAllister

Thank you for attending The Roma: Persecution, Exclusion, and the Struggle for Human Rights in the European Union.

This conference explored the complex history of the Roma people throughout Europe and their ongoing struggle for equal rights and access to justice. The discussion focused on the legal challenges that Roma rights groups are waging against discriminatory state practices and policies. Our panelists also evaluated modern outreach efforts within Romani communities, and the realities of living as a Roma today.

We were honored to have Mr. Robert Kushen, Executive Director of the European Roma Rights Centre as our keynote Schlesinger Lecturer. Other distinguished speakers included James Sloan, Visiting Professor of International Human Rights at U.C. Hastings, Corina Murafa, NGO Activist and founding member of ORICUM Association, and Cristiana Grigore, Fulbright Scholar and Romani woman. Our round table discussion was moderated by Professor Joel Paul, Associate Dean for International and Graduate Programs at Hastings.