Professional Development Program

The Professional Development Program involves a number of initiatives designed to foster our members' interests in international issues and events, legal and non-legal, private and public. There are two key initiatives under the program.

 

Global Thinking Lecture Series

The Global Thinking Lecture Series invites highly-esteemed experts, academics, diplomats, and lawyers to present a lecture at Melbourne Law School on a range of topics, all with global focus. The Series is currently in its third year and has hosted a range of distinguished guests, including: Justice Dyson Heydon of the High Court of Australia; Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon; World Vision Australia CEO, Tim Costello; and former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans.

 

Comprising a rich program of distinguished speakers and leaders of industry, the events are a highlight of the Melbourne Law School events program, celebrating careers rich with challenge, diversity and global opportunities. This year, the Professional Development Program will continue to build on the momentum and popularity of the Series with topics and guest speakers highlighting the many paths open to a law graduates and centering around a variety of contemporary international issues and events, both legal and non-legal.

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Some examples of past lectures include:

  • The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP on ‘Public Governance – How is Australia Faring Internationally?’

  • Judge Rowan Downing QC of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, on 'The place of victims in international justice-the experience of the ECCC'.

  • Professor Robyn Eckersley on 'Moving Forward in the Climate Negotiations: Multilateralism or Minilateralism.'

  • The Hon Gareth Evans QC about his experience of 'International Law and Global Policymaking: Life at the Coalface'.

  • Justice Dyson Heydon AC QC who spoke on the question 'Are Bills of Rights Necessary in Common Law Systems?'

 

Coffee Hour Discussion Series

In 2018 the GLSA will coordinate a number of academic discussions with small groups of up to 20 students. These discussions are held over a coffee and are hosted and presented by distinguished guests of Melbourne Law School – often visiting professors or practitioners – who, in an interactive and informal setting, share with students their diverse backgrounds, global experiences and areas of specialist knowledge. Past guests of the program have included Professor Anne Orford talking about 'Interventions, Civil War and International Law', Dr Rain Liivoja discussing  technology in warefare, Dr John Chesterman from the Office of the Public Advocate and Antony Taubman, Director of the Intellectual Property Division of the World Trade Organisation.

 

For further information about this Program and its initiatives, or if you are interested in being involved in either of these Series, please contact our Professional Development Directors at: glsa-professional@unimelb.edu.au.