Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute

We live in a global age. People, goods, services, information, and capital flow freely across international boundaries.  From the internet, e-mail, and fax machines to travel, migration, commerce, and foreign relations, the story of the new millennium is our ever shrinking planet. The world's problems--and the problems entrusted to lawyers--require international cooperation and international solutions.

The Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute was created for such a world.  By promoting an integrated approach to student, faculty, and community interaction, the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute functions as a center for instruction and research in international and comparative law, expands our knowledge and understanding of real-world issues and prepares lawyers for the professional challenges of the 21st century. To achieve these aims the Harris Institute draws on a vast pool of overseas and national expertise to promote continuous dialogue and exchange of views among students and faculty of Washington University with colleagues around the country and the world.

The Institute officially opened its doors in November 2000. Stephen H. Legomsky, the Charles F. Nagel Professor of International and Comparative Law, served as the first director of the Institute, which was known then as the Institute for Global Legal Studies. In 2002, John O. Haley, the Wiley B. Rutledge Professor of Law, succeeded Professor Legomsky as director of the Institute. In recognition of Whitney R. Harris' lifelong achievements in the field of international justice and his support of legal education and research, the University renamed the Institute in Harris' honor in February 2002. In fall 2007, Leila Nadya Sadat, Henry H. Oberschelp Professor of Law, was named the Institute's third director.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Chautauqua Declaration (2009) - The issuance of the Chautauqua Declaration is the culmination of the proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Humanitarian Law Dialogs held on Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2009. [more]

• Work Continues on the Specialized Convention on Crimes Against Humanity - A distinguished group of international law experts met June 11-12, 2009, in The Hague to continue work on a Specialized Convention on Crimes Against Humanity Initiative. [more]

• Specialized Convention on Crimes Against Humanity Began Work at Washington University Law School - Participants presented research on specific substantive and procedural aspects of the draft convention and debated related issues at the law school on April 13-15, 2009 . [more]