SPEAKER:

Professor Narnia Bohler-Muller
Human Sciences Research Council

Date:  17 November

Time: 12:30  – 13:30

Venue:    VCRs, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban

The HSRC seminar series is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The views and opinions expressed therein as well as findings and statements of the seminar series do not necessarily represent the views of DST.

In all the BRIC/S Joint Statements and Declarations since 2009 the member states have emphasised two interrelated positions:

• The centrality of the United Nations in International Relations, with particular emphasis on multilateralism in decision making; and

• The need for a democratic and just world order based on the rule of international law, equality, mutual respect, cooperation, coordinated action and collective decision-making of all states. 

 Although the wording differs slightly from Yekaterinburg (2009) to Ufa (2015), this commitment to the centrality of the UN and maintaining the rule of law has not wavered. What is, however, somewhat of a paradox is that, despite this allegiance expressed by the leaders of all five BRICS nations to the UN and its agencies, there has simultaneously been a call for the reform of institutions of global governance. This is the revisionist nature of the BRICS agenda that seeks a fairer and more just world order that balances forces of power.

This seminar  looks at traditional definitions of the rule of law, where after some attempts will be made to unpack what BRICS’ understanding is of the role of international law in global reform.

The seminar may be attended in Pretoria, Cape Town or Durban

Kindly RSVP by 21 October 2015

Cape Town : HSRC, 12th Floor, Plein Park Building (Opposite Revenue Office), Plein Street, Cape Town. Contact Carmen August, Tel (021) 466 7827 Fax (021) 461 0299, or caugust@hsrc.ac.za;
Durban :  First floor HSRC board room, 750 Francois Road, Ntuthuko Junction, Pods 5 and 6, Cato Manor, Contact Ridhwaan Khan, Tel (031) 242 5400, cell: 083 788 2786 or RKhan@hsrc.ac.za ;
Pretoria : HSRC Video Conference, 1st floor HSRC Library Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Arlene Grossberg, Tel: (012) 302 2811, e-mail: acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za