University of the Western Cape International Teaching Week – 29 July - 1 August 2025

The Role of Law in an Era of Global Crises and Change

The world is experiencing an unprecedented convergence of armed conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, economic inequality, public health challenges, technological revolutions, and environmental degradation. These disruptions challenge legal and governance systems and profoundly impact the achievement prospects of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, the role of law becomes critical in shaping a more just, sustainable, and resilient global future. Global cooperation and best practices are needed not just in achieving the SDGs but also in the teaching of law as an effective tool for meaningful social change.

The Faculty of Law therefore invites legal scholars from a broad range of disciplines such as public law, private law, criminal justice, constitutional law, criminal law, public international law, labour law, land law, Islamic law, and legal pluralism to participate in the UWC 2025 International Teaching Week. The themes for the lectures are outlined below:
 

1. Law and Climate Change: How can legal frameworks, both international and domestic, respond to the urgent challenges posed by the climate crisis? What is the role of law in mitigating environmental degradation, promoting climate justice, facilitating sustainable land use and development patterns and enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities?
2. Governance in an Age of Disruption: How are legal and constitutional frameworks adapting to political and social instability? How can law promote good governance, protect democracy, and address the rise of populism and authoritarianism?
3. Wars, Armed Conflicts, and Humanitarian Law: How are international humanitarian law and human rights frameworks evolving in response to modern warfare, displacement, and global humanitarian crises? What legal mechanisms can be leveraged to protect civilians, address the root causes of conflict, and ensure accountability?
4. Technology, AI, and Law: With rapid technological advancements reshaping economies and societies, how can law regulate emerging technologies such as AI, data governance, and automation while protecting human rights and preventing inequalities?
5. Global Health and Legal Responses: Considering global health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, what role can international and national legal systems play in safeguarding public health, addressing health inequities, and ensuring access to medical resources?
6. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability: How should corporate law evolve to ensure that businesses contribute to sustainable development? What legal tools can promote corporate accountability for environmental and social impacts?
7. Labour Law, Migration, and the Changing World of Work: How are labour law systems adapting to the evolving world of work, including informal employment, work in the gig economy, and remote work? What role does labour law play in promoting decent work and addressing inequalities in the labour market, particularly in the context of economic disruptions, climate change, and global health crises? As regional integration and migration on the continent increases, who are the implications for labour law and social protection systems?  
8. Criminal Justice in an Era of Crisis: How are criminal justice systems adapting to new challenges such as environmental crimes, cybercrimes, and transnational criminal networks? What reforms are necessary to ensure that justice systems remain fair, inclusive, and effective in a changing world?
9. Children and Child Justice: How are children affected by global crises such as armed conflict, migration, climate change, and economic instability? What role can child justice systems and international law play in protecting children's rights, ensuring access to justice, and fostering rehabilitation and protection in times of crisis?
10. Land Law and Legal Pluralism: How can land laws, particularly in pluralistic societies, address the complexities of land ownership, resource management, and cultural heritage in the face of displacement, urbanization, and environmental change?
11. Legal, Cultural and Religious Pluralism in a Globalized World: How are legal systems balancing local norms, customs, and religious traditions with international legal standards, particularly in post-colonial contexts? What are the implications for human rights, law reforms, and development programming?
12. Public International Law and Global Governance: In an increasingly interconnected world, how can international legal frameworks and institutions foster global cooperation to address transboundary crises such as climate change, migration, and armed conflict? How can we reform the existing institutions of global governance to address inequalities and concerns of the Global South?
13. Jurisprudence and Legal Theory: What is the role of law in the decolonisation and transformation of higher education and how can law be instrumentalised to promote social cohesion and epistemic justice in multicultural societies?
14. The Role of Law in Achieving the SDGs: We invite colleagues to join us to explore the intersection of law and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on how law can promote sustainable development, protect human rights, and build equitable societies. What legal innovations, reforms, or interpretations are necessary to address the interconnected challenges of global crises and the SDGs?

The International Teaching Week will consist of the following:

An opportunity to give guest lectures to Undergraduate law students at UWC

Modules include:

• Legal and religious pluralism
• Public International Law
• Constitutional Law
• Research Methodology
• Labour Law
• Preparing for Legal Practice
• Land Law
• Welfare Law (Family Law and Law of Persons)

 

1. An opportunity to present a formal paper of 45 minutes on any of the above themes to other guests, law students, law teachers and colleagues from other faculties
2. Guided excursions in and around Cape Town, such as the District Six Museum, Robben Island, Boulders Beach and wine farms
3. Transport to and from the airport, as well as from accommodation to UWC
4. A gala dinner with other guests and colleagues from UWC

Confirmation of interest to participate:

We would be delighted if you can join us for this exciting week of teaching and learning. Kindly let us know whether you would be available to join us by 28 March 2025.
If you are interested, kindly also provide us with the following:
 

• A summary of your guest lectures and/or formal paper, consisting of no more than 150 words, clearly outlining the relevance to the theme.
• A brief bio of 100-150 words, including institutional affiliation and contact details.

For inquiries, please contact Prof. Sue-Mari Viljoen at suviljoen@uwc.ac.za