On Monday the 17th of August 2009 the Centre for Studies and Research in International Law and International Relations of the Hague Academy of International Law started. The Centre takes place annually at the Academy and Library building of the Peace Palace. The purpose of the Centre is to bring together advanced young scholars of a high standard from all over the world. The Academy proposes a different research theme each year. This year the topic is 'Cultural Diversity'.
Cultural diversity is however a very broad topic which touches many fields of law, such as for example private international law, international family law and public international law, but also the legal status and rights of minorities. The best research work of the Centre participants about the topic of this year will be published collectively by the Academy. The Centre only accepts a limited number of participants in order to ensure a high standard. The participants exchange ideas and views about their research regarding this year's topic, together with the two directors of studies for the coming three weeks. This will ultimately result in a collection of articles.
The director for the English speaking participants is Dr. Nadjima Yassari, Senior Research Fellow from the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Germany. The director for the French speaking participants is Prof. Dr. Marie-Claire Foblets from the Faculty of Social Sciences Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
The best research work of the Centre participants about the topic of this year will be published collectively by the Academy.