Kabul, Afghanistan | March 2, 2011 – High-ranking representatives of the governments of Afghanistan and the United States attended the final awards ceremony of the International Jessup Moot Court Competition today at the Kabul Appellate Court. Five student teams from Kabul, Al Biruni, Balkh, Nangarhar, and Herat universities came together at the USAID-funded event to compete for the chance to represent Afghanistan at an international competition to be held in Washington, DC.
Attending the awards ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Hans G. Klemm, Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement, met with students and provided closing remarks. Referencing a famous Dari proverb, Ambassador Klemm emphasized that, “without struggle, no goal can be attained,” and he encouraged the students to continue to strive to improve themselves and all of Afghanistan.
Other guests in attendance included, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mohammad Baburi, and Deputy Chief Judge of the Kabul Appellate Court Amer Kamawi. U.S. Embassy officials and academics served as judges. The officials recognized the dedication and hard work of the students and presented them with certificates of achievement. The event culminated with the team from Kabul University being announced the winner.
“This is an essential and productive program. It is a golden opportunity for Afghan students to share their legal knowledge with students from around the world,” stated Deputy Chief Judge Kamawi. He expressed gratitude to USAID for striving to “strengthen the rule of law so that Afghanistan could move closer toward peace and stability.”
In late March, this championship team will compete with top student teams from around the world in the international competition in Washington, D.C. The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's largest and most prestigious moot court competition with teams from more than 500 law schools and 80 different countries. Last year, Afghanistan’s team was awarded the "Spirit of the Jessup Award," a recognition devoted to the team that best exemplifies the spirit of camaraderie, academic excellence, competitiveness, and the appreciation of fellow competitors.
USAID’s Rule of Law Stabilization Program – Formal Component is designed to develop the human and institutional capacity of the justice sector, increase the public’s access to justice, particularly women, and promote the public’s demand for a robust rule of law environment in Afghanistan.