Research Visit to Los Andes University, Bogota, Colombia

I have just returned from a very enjoyable research exchange at Los Andes University in Bogota Colombia. Thanks to my host Professor Sandra Borda and the Department of Political Science who facilitated my stay. Thanks also to Santander Bank and UCL International Office for the Research Catalyst Award which made my visit possible. The visit was very productive. I explored potential research collaborations with Sandra, gave a lecture to colleagues and students and was interviewed on the performance of the Colombian Human Rights Ombudsman for the university newspaper.

Los Andes Jessop team 2015
Los Andes Jessop team 2015

I also made some new acquaintances in Los Andes Law School. In particular, I very much enjoyed meeting Professors in Law Liliana Obregón and Rene Urueña, both of whom have a strong interest in human rights and global governance research. I also had the opportunity to serve as an impromptu judge in a practice moot contest for the Los Andes students hoping to contest the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition this year (in picture). I was instructed to look very stern, ask difficult questions and try and throw them off with a few raised eyebrows. I did my best! It was a pleasure to participate and the students were extremely impressive. Apparently, only three non-native speaking teams have won the Jessop in 56 years. This includes the Los Andes Colombia team which won in 2009. Beating UCL! Good luck to the team this year.  I am looking forward to building upon this visit through future collaborations.

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