What's New
Alexander Papachristou Named Executive Director of the Vance Center
Alexander Papachristou has joined the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice as Executive Director.
Vance Center Co-Sponsors Roundtable in Mombasa, Kenya
The Vance Center co-sponsored and participated in a roundtable in Mombasa, Kenya, on the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights October 20-21. The other co-sponsors were the Coalition for an Effective African Court and the International Commission of Jurists-Kenya. The Vance Center arranged for two people knowledgeable about the Inter-American human rights system, Judge Margarette Macaulay of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and Professor Francisco Rivera of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico Law School, to attend and participate as well. Read the Coalition's report on the conference here. 
Vance Center Facilitates Development of Publication "KNOW MORE III"
The Alliance of Freedom of Expression released its publication KNOW MORE III: Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data, which the Vance Center helped develop through pro bono legal asisstance. Read the report here in English and Spanish.
Latin Lawyer Interviews Tinker Program Officer Kirsten Cowal
In an article published November 11 by Latin Lawyer called, "Grants to share," Program Officer Kirsten Cowal discusses how funding organizations that promote and facilitate pro bono in Latin America helps the US-based foundation achieve its goal of developing a fair and equitable society in the region.
Vance Center and Fundacion Pro Bono Chile launch International Pro Bono Network in Washington and New York
The Vance Center and Fundacion Pro Bono Chile gathered with members of the Washington and New York legal communities to unveil their new project to strengthen human rights in the Americas by promoting the participation of pro bono lawyers in the Inter-American human rights system. Dean Claudio Grossman, American University Washington College of Law, a key partner of the project, hosted the event in Washintgon, which took place at the offices of Mayer Brown. In New York, Vance Center Committee members and supporters joined by video conference at the offices of Dewey LeBoeuf. More information about the project is available at www.redprobono.org and www.ipbnetwork.org.
Latin Lawyer Magazine Publishes Annual Survey of Pro Bono in Latin America
Latin Lawyer Magazine has published its annual survey of pro bono in Latin America. The full report is available on Latin Lawyer's website. One of the articles highlights the importance of financial support of pro bono clearinghouses: "Pro Bono 2011: Time is NOT Money," by Rosie Creswell and Emiliano Melino.
Amicus Curiae Brief Submitted to Inter-American Court on Human Rights in the matter of Karen Atala v. Republic of Chile
From June to August of this year, the Vance Center coordinated the drafting of an amicus curiae brief in the matter of Karen Atala v. Chile for submission to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in September. The brief argues that the weight of international authority holds that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation violates human rights, and that lesbian and gay parenting is compatible with the best interests of the child.The brief was prepared by attorneys at Morrison & Foerster, the International Women's Human Rights Clinic of the City University of New York, and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission on behalf of Amnesty International; ARC International; Center for Constitutional Rights; Consultaría para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento; Council for Global Equality; Human Rights Watch; International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; International Women's Human Rights Clinic at the City University of New York School of Law; Lawyers for Children, Inc.; Legal Aid Society of New York; Legal Momentum; MADRE; National Center for Lesbian Rights; National Economic and Social Rights Initiative; New York City Bar Association (LGBT Committee); and Women's Link Worldwide. Read brief in English or Spanish.
The Vance Center and Fundacion Pro Bono Chile Launch International Pro Bono Network
The Vance Center and Fundacion Pro Bono Chile gathered with leaders of the Inter-American system during the Inter-American Court's 92nd Extraordinary Session on August 31 in Bogota, Colombia to unveil a new project to strengthen human rights in the Americas by promoting the participation of pro bono lawyers in the Inter-American human rights system. Fundacion Pro Bono Colombia and members of the Colombian private bar led and participated in the meeting, at which the Vance Center, Fundacion Pro Bono Chile and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate with each other to strengthen pro bono in the Americas. The initiative emerged as a project during the April 2011 Access to Justice Conference held in Santiago, Chile. More information about the Network is forthcoming.
The Vance Center Receives Prestigious Access to Justice Award
The Vance Center has received the Inter-American Bar Association's Access to Justice Award. It was awarded at the IABA's XLVII Annual Conference held in Veracruz from June 28 to July 2. Antonia Stolper graciously traveled to the conference to accept the award. It recognizes the Vance Center "for promoting rule of law, human rights, and access to justice for those who have been traditionally deprived of their personal freedom."
Hemispheric Conference on Access to Justice
Over 250 attorneys from across the hemisphere gathered in Santiago on April 7-8 to attend an informative and thought-provoking conference entitled Pro Bono and the Legal Profession: Strengthening Access to Justice, organized by The Vance Center in collaboration with Fundacion Pro Bono Chile (FPB). All segments of the legal profession, including firms, bar associations, pro bono clearinghouses, law schools, corporate legal departments, judiciaries and public interest institutions, were well represented. The 18 countries sending participants were Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela. Download Report >>
Women in the Profession Summit
On April 6, a summit of women attorneys from across Latin America and the United States was held in Santiago, Chile that was co-sponsored by the Vance Center and the Universidad de Chile Law School. The more than 75 enthusiastic women who attended discussed issues of concern to female attorneys, including breaking gender barriers and strengthening the role of women in the legal profession.
Recent Events
July 2011
Vance Center hosts discussion in New York with Gerardo Bello, Executive Director of Fundacion Pro Venezuela, on the state of civil rights in Venezuela.
June 2011
Vance Center hosted an event with United Nations Under-Secretary General & Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, on The Future of UN Women.
June 2011
Vance Center hosts roundtable discussion with Delphine Djiraibe, Co-Founder and Principal Attorney of the Chadian Public Interest Law Center, and recipient of the 2004 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.
May 2011
Vance Center hosts roundtale discussions with Observatorio de Políticas Públicas de Derechos Humanos en el Mercosur.
April 2011
Vance Center enters into partnership with Inter-American Court on Human Rights to promote pro bono legal work in Latin America to advance access to justice and human rights.
Vance Center in the News
Click here to view a list of articles featuring the Vance Center