The International Law Association was founded in Brussels in 1873. Today, it has branches around the world and a growing membership of academics and practising professionals with an interest in international law. The Swiss Branch was founded in 1929. It works in close cooperation with the Swiss Society for International Law (SVIR/SSDI) and ensures the participation of its members in the ILA Executive Council as well as at the biennial conferences.
Reminder: Public Lecture: Andreas Ziegler, „Today’s big challenges of International Economic Law: the case of Switzerland“, Thursday 17 September 2020 (15h15 – 16h45 CET), Lausanne Worried about the lack of progress in the negotiations with Mercosur and the EU….or the state of the WTO and the development in investment arbitration…than join us to discuss the […]
15.09 : Conférence publique (Zoom) de Monsieur Pascal Saint-Amans, Directeur du Centre de politique et d’administration fiscales de l’OCDE
Nous avons le plaisir de vous informer que Monsieur Pascal Saint-Amans, Directeur du Centre de politique et d’administration fiscales de l’OCDE, donnera une conférence publique
le mardi 15 septembre 2020 à 14h15, par Zoom dans le cadre du cours « International Tax Policy » du Professeur Robert Danon
Les identifiants pour accéder à la conférence sont les suivants : Topic: Leçon Inaugurale : International Tax Policy avec Pascal Saint-Amans Time: Sep 15, 2020 02:15 PM Zurich Join Zoom Meeting: https://unil.zoom.us/j/92563694087 Meeting ID: 925 6369 4087 Password: 547223
L’exposé de Monsieur Saint-Amans portera notamment sur les grands enjeux actuels de politique fiscale internationale (taxation de l’économie numérique, enjeux fiscaux liés à la crise du COVID-19, etc.) et les négociations en cours au niveau international.
Cet enseignement est dispensé dans le cadre de la Maîtrise en droit (mention fiscalité internationale), de la Maîtrise en droit et économie (MDE), de la Maîtrise en comptabilité, contrôle et finance ainsi que du LL.M International Business Law
Call for Papers: Practising Reflexivity in International Law (Doctoral Forum)
The Law Department of the European University Institute, with the support of the European Society of International Law, has issued a call for papers for a Doctoral Forum on International Law, to be held in Florence, on November 23–24, 2020. The topic is “Practising Reflexivity in International Law.” The call is here. The deadline is September 13, 2020.
Online conference: D-DebtCon 2020: Distributed Interdisciplinary Sovereign Debt Research and Management Conference – 07 September 2020 , 09:00 – 18 September 2020, 18:00
The ongoing global public health crisis magnifies persistent sovereign debt problems and poses new ones of unprecedented scale and scope.
Recognizing the need for creative, research-based solutions, a group of leading academic and policy institutions from around the world will co-host a virtual Distributed Interdisciplinary Sovereign Debt Research and Management Conference (D-DebtCon) in nine countries, spanning five continents, from 7 September to 18 September 2020.
Each day between September 7 and September 18 will feature academic and policy panels in South Africa, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, Singapore, the United States, Barbados, the United Kingdom, and China.
Participants will discuss topics such as sovereign debt sustainability and debt vulnerabilities, restructuring architecture, debt transparency, fiscal federalism, resilience against pandemic and climate shocks, financial history, and the particular debt challenges facing countries in Africa and Latin America, as well as China and the European Union.
About DebtCon
The Interdisciplinary Sovereign Debt Research and Management Conference, or DebtCon, was launched at the Institute of International Economic Law (IIEL) at Georgetown in January 2016. Its mission is to engage scholars and practitioners across geographic, disciplinary, and institutional boundaries to help solve pressing sovereign debt problems. DebtCon brings cutting-edge research to bear on policy and market practice, and helps make research more impactful with exposure to real-world policy and market experience. D-DebtCon will carry on the mission and expand the reach of the DebtCon project at this critical time. DebtCon4 will return in person at the European University Institute (EUI) in 2021.
Since 2019, DebtCon has been part of the Sovereign Debt Forum, a collaboration among Georgetown IIEL, Queen Mary University London and EUI, to encourage and disseminate policy-relevant research, and help improve government debt management capacity, particularly in vulnerable economies. Past programs in Washington and Geneva may be found at this link.
Programme and registration
Please click on the sessions you are interested in to get to the registration page. Registration for the events without an active link will open shortly.
7 September: Addressing the African Debt Conundrum (University of Pretoria)
8 September: Sovereign Debt in the European Union (European University Institute)
9 September: Tradeoffs and Outcomes in Sovereign Debt Restructurings: The Views of Academics and Argentine Policymakers (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella)
17 September: COVID-19 Pandemic and Rising Global Debt (Tsinghua University)
18 September: Public challenges to private recognition regimes; Private enforcement of public debt: managing the externalities (International Insolvency Institute)
Graduate Institute session on financial history, 10 September 2020
The Graduate Institute’s session on 10 September 2020 will focus on financial history.
Presentations and Panel Discussions will feature: Michael Bordo (TBC), Nathan Sussman, Rui Esteves, Marc Flandreau, Simon Hinrichsen, Christopher Meissner (TBC), Ugo Panizza, Paul Schmelzing (TBC), Edwin M. Truman
Jeunes chercheurs en DIP en Suisse: Raphaël Marlétaz: L’harmonisation des lois cantonales d’aide sociale – Une analyse des obligations internationales des droits humains
C’est lors d’un colloque consacré à la pauvreté en Suisse, où des expert·e·s, issus de la pratique comme de la recherche, exposent leurs expériences et leurs problématiques, que Raphaël Marlétaz constate les grandes disparités cantonales dans l’aide sociale. Les habitant·e·s de Suisse n’ont pas tous accès aux mêmes prestations sociales selon leur lieu de domicile. Ces prestations jouent pourtant un rôle majeur dans la lutte contre la pauvreté. Et, la pauvreté a un impact conséquent sur la jouissance des droits humains.
Les droits humains font l’objet de conventions internationales ratifiées par la Suisse et les lois cantonales ne sont donc pas forcément conformes aux standards internationaux auxquels la Suisse a accepté d’être liée. On se trouve ainsi au cœur du sujet de Raphaël Marlétaz, est-ce que les garanties internationales des droits humains exigent une harmonisation des droits cantonaux de l’aide sociale ? Sa recherche vise à démontrer par une analyse de la protection internationale des droits humains l’obligation de la Suisse d’harmoniser ses lois cantonales d’aide sociale au sens large tout en respectant l’autonomie des cantons.
Raphaël Marlétaz a d’abord entrepris une analyse des systèmes cantonaux pour les quatre prestations qui ont le plus d’effets sur la prévention de la pauvreté ; à savoir les prestations complémentaires pour famille, l’avance sur contribution d’entretien et les bourses d’études qui sont des prestations sous conditions de ressources et l’aide sociale au sens strict comme dernière prestation que l’on peut toucher. Cette analyse a mis en évidence des disparités dans la mise en œuvre des droits humains des particuliers en Suisse. Il a ensuite démontré une obligation d’harmonisation pour certains éléments essentiels des différentes lois cantonales précitées. Il propose par exemple que les cantons qui n’accordent pas de prestations familles les prévoient au moins dans leur principe, que le délai de carence des avances sur contribution d’entretien soit abandonné, que tous les cantons ratifient le concordat de 2013 en matière de bourses d’études ou que le montant versé pour l’aide sociale soit indexé au coût de la vie et au moins égal à la couverture statistique des besoins vitaux.
Une des solutions envisagées par Raphaël Marlétaz pour que la Confédération puisse s’acquitter de ses obligations est d’admettre la possibilité pour les particuliers de les invoquer devant les tribunaux. C’est un des moyens efficaces pour permettre au droit international de déployer ses effets dans l’ensemble des cantons. Lorsqu’un contrôle des tribunaux et en particulier celui du Tribunal fédéral est admis, l’obligation d’harmonisation des droits cantonaux peut être mise en œuvre.
Au cours de sa recherche, Raphaël Marlétaz a eu la chance de participer au groupe de travail pour la rédaction du rapport alternatif sur la mise en œuvre des droits économiques, sociaux et culturels en Suisse examiné par le Comité DESC des Nations Unies en automne 2019. Dans ce cadre, il aussi pu assister à l’audition de l’Etat par ce comité. Ces contacts précieux avec des expertes et experts en matière d’aide sociale et des droits humains de toute la Suisse lui ont permis de construire des propositions pertinentes et en lien avec les préoccupations de la société civile et du Comité DESC.
Webinar: US Sanctions on Hong Kong and Its Legal and Financial Implications, Sept 3 (Thur), 9:00-10:20 AM HK Time
Centre for Chinese Law & Asian Institute of International Financial Law Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
US Sanctions on Hong Kong and Its Legal and Financial Implications
September 3, 2020 (Thursday) 09:00 — 10:20 AM Hong Kong Time; September 2, 2020 (Wednesday) 21:00 — 22:20 DC, USA Time Language: English Link to Webinar: https://hku.zoom.us/j/95748394966 Registration: Please click HERE to reserve a place. (Registered participants can receive recorded video after the webinar)
Abstract: Since the promulgation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), the Trump Administration has introduced a series of measures aimed at sanctioning individuals and financial institutions involved in the development and implementation of the NSL. The NSL has put the future of the city on the line, by simultaneously generating growing uncertainty around Hong Kong’s status as a leading financial centre, and exposing China’s profound vulnerability to the U.S. dollar-centric financial network. In this webinar, three esteemed experts will join us for a discussion on the following topics:
• The legal consequences of the recent and potential U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong • The corresponding economic impact on domestic and foreign financial institutions in Hong Kong • The potential Chinese countermeasures that can be employed the short-term and the country’s strategy of de-dollarization
Moderator: Angela Zhang, Associate Professor & Director of Centre for Chinese Law at the University of Hong Kong
Guest Speakers: Benjamin Kostrzewa is a senior attorney specializing in international trade law at Hogan Lovells. He previously served as assistant general counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative where he handled WTO disputes, FTA negotiations as well as U.S.-China conflicts and negotiations.
Elizabeth Rosenberg is the Director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. She was formerly a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, assisting to develop and implement financial and energy sanctions on countries such as Iran, Libya and Syria.
Victor Shih is an Associate Professor of political economy and the Ho Miu Lam Chair in China and Pacific Relations at University of California at San Diego. He is an expert on the politics of Chinese banking policies, fiscal policies, exchange rate as well as the elite politics of China. He is also the author of “Factions and Finance in China: Elite Conflict and Inflation.”
Webinar: What can we learn from regional initiatives on investment facilitation? 5 October 2020, 15:00-16:30 Central European Time (CET)
This is the fifth of a webinar series on investment facilitation for development, held in the framework of a joint ITC/DIE project on Investment Facilitation for Development.
To register for the event and receive the meeting link details please click here.
The webinar will be conducted in an interactive manner and allow for questions by participants.
The webinar is delivered through Zoom. You will receive details on how to join the workshop in a subsequent email after your registration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the webinar!
With kind regards,
Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business, ITC Axel Berger, Senior Researcher, DIE Karl P. Sauvant, Resident Senior Fellow, Columbia University, CCSI
Webinar: What can we learn from regional initiatives on investment facilitation? 5 October 2020, 15:00-16:30 Central European Time (CET)
This is the fifth of a webinar series on investment facilitation for development, held in the framework of a joint ITC/DIE project on Investment Facilitation for Development.
To register for the event and receive the meeting link details please click here.
The webinar will be conducted in an interactive manner and allow for questions by participants.
The webinar is delivered through Zoom. You will receive details on how to join the workshop in a subsequent email after your registration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the webinar!
With kind regards,
Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business, ITC Axel Berger, Senior Researcher, DIE Karl P. Sauvant, Resident Senior Fellow, Columbia University, CCSI
Webinar: What can we learn from regional initiatives on investment facilitation? 5 October 2020, 15:00-16:30 Central European Time (CET)
This is the fifth of a webinar series on investment facilitation for development, held in the framework of a joint ITC/DIE project on Investment Facilitation for Development.
To register for the event and receive the meeting link details please click here.
The webinar will be conducted in an interactive manner and allow for questions by participants.
The webinar is delivered through Zoom. You will receive details on how to join the workshop in a subsequent email after your registration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the webinar!
With kind regards,
Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business, ITC Axel Berger, Senior Researcher, DIE Karl P. Sauvant, Resident Senior Fellow, Columbia University, CCSI
Webinar: What can we learn from regional initiatives on investment facilitation? 5 October 2020, 15:00-16:30 Central European Time (CET)
This is the fifth of a webinar series on investment facilitation for development, held in the framework of a joint ITC/DIE project on Investment Facilitation for Development.
To register for the event and receive the meeting link details please click here.
The webinar will be conducted in an interactive manner and allow for questions by participants.
The webinar is delivered through Zoom. You will receive details on how to join the workshop in a subsequent email after your registration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the webinar!
With kind regards,
Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business, ITC Axel Berger, Senior Researcher, DIE Karl P. Sauvant, Resident Senior Fellow, Columbia University, CCSI
The American Society of International Law is pleased to announce a free online series examining what the 2020 Presidential Election will mean for international law. Building on the Society’s 2017 series, “International Law & the Trump Administration,” the six, hour-long sessions will feature discussions with a diverse group of current and former public officials, campaign representatives, and leading experts from academia, private practice, and non-governmental organizations.The series will address the following topics:
Cyber Threats & Election Interference
Trade & Investment
Climate Change & Environment
Immigration and Asylum
Use of Force & Counterterrorism
Multilateralism & International Institutions
A full description of the series, information about each session as confirmed, and registration can be found at www.asil.org/2020Election.
The first session, “Cyber Threats & Election Interference,” will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Register directly here.
All programs in the series will be freely available to the ASIL membership and the general public.
Initiative de limitation: conférence-débat en présence du Conseiller fédéral Alain Berset, Lausanne 03 septembre 2020, 17:30 – 20:00
Le 27 septembre prochain, le peuple devra se prononcer sur l’initiative dite «immigration modérée», qui s’attaque à la recette à succès de l’économie suisse: les accords bilatéraux.
M. Alain Berset,Conseiller fédéral, Chef du département fédéral de l’intérieur, viendra à Payerne présenter les enjeux liés à cette initiative.
Son exposé sera suivi d’un débat contradictoire.
Pour des raisons sanitaires, le port du masque sera obligatoire et toutes les mesures nécessaires seront mises en place.
Veuillez noter que le nombre de places est limité. Un apéritif conclura la soirée.
Programme:
17h30 Accueil
18h00 Mot de bienvenue
18h05 Conférence de Monsieur le Conseiller fédéral Alain Berset
18h20 Questions/réponses du public
18h30 Débat contradictoire entre Michael Buffat et François Schaller VS Jacqueline de Quattro et Isabelle Harsch
Initiative de limitation: un enjeu crucial pour notre pays !, Lausanne, 27 août 2020, 18:00 – 20:30
Le 27 septembre prochain, le peuple devra se prononcer sur l’initiative dite «immigration modérée», qui s’attaque à la recette à succès de l’économie suisse: les accords bilatéraux.
Mme Karin Keller-Sutter,Conseillère fédérale, Cheffe du département fédéral de justice et police, viendra à Lausanne présenter les enjeux liés à cette initiative.
Son exposé sera suivi d’un débat contradictoire entre Mme Aude Pugin (CEO d’APCO Technologies et Présidente de la CVCI) et M.Kevin Grangier (Président de l’UDC Vaud).
Pour des raisons sanitaires, le port du masque sera obligatoire et toutes les mesures nécessaires seront mises en place.
Veuillez noter que le nombre de places est limité. Un apéritif conclura la soirée.
Programme:
18h00 – Accueil
18h15 – Mot de bienvenue
18h20 – Conférence de Madame la Conseillère fédérale Karin Keller-Sutter “Les enjeux du vote sur l’initiative de limitation”
18h35 – Questions-réponses (animation par Vincent Bourquin, journaliste au Temps)
18h45 – Débat contradictoire sur les enjeux de l’initiative de résiliation des accords bilatéraux Entre Aude Pugin et Kevin Grangier
19h15 – Questions-réponses à Mme Pugin et M. Grangier
ATTENTION: si vous ne recevez pas dans les minutes qui suivent, sur le mail que vous avez indiqué dans le formulaire, un message de confirmation de votre inscription, c’est que la procédure a échoué. Veuillez recommencer ou prendre contact avec la personne responsable de la manifestation à l’adresse mail qui figure ci-dessus. Merci! Nom * Prénom *
© Felix Imhof