South Africa Exchange

In June 2008, Seattle University School of Law entered into a memorandum of understanding with the University of the Witwatersrand (“Wits”) in Johannesburg, South Africa, for student and faculty exchanges between the two institutions. The MOU is the next step in a growing relationship between the law school and Wits. From 2003 to 2004, Professor Ron Slye was the Bram Fischer Professor of Human Rights at Wits. In 2007, the law school initiated Global Justice Advocacy, a five-week intensive legal education program held at Wits for law students from the United States and Africa. The relationship with Wits is part of an overall focus on Africa that has included legal training in Uganda and South Africa (Legal Writing in Africa; a project with the iSchool at the University of Washington concerning the legacy and heritage of the International Tribunal for Rwanda) and the hosting of visiting professors and lecturers from Africa, including Labor Court Judge Dhaya Pillay (South Africa); visiting legal writing professor Edwin Abuya (Kenya); and Justice Zak Yacoob (South African Constitutional Court).

During his recent visit to the law school, Judge Zakeria Yacoob of the South African Constitutional Court discussed the future of Guantanamo with Professor John McKay, former U.S. Attorney and currently a professor of practice at the Seattle University School of Law. The discussion highlights both areas of common agreement and disagreement between these two legal practitioners. The hour-long discussion can be viewed here: The Future of Guantanamo: An African and US Perspective Justice Yacoob & John McKay, Socio Economics Rights Class, (02/06/2009).