Law academics co-lead international legal education in Southern Italy
27 Oct 2025
In July 2025, two academics from the University's Law School co-led international events in Italy, promoting inclusive dialogue on global justice. Highlights included a keynote by Dr Fatou Bensouda and workshops fostering critical reflection across cultures and disciplines.
In July 2025, Dr Emma Luce Scali and Professor John Haskell from the University's Law School co-led two major international academic events in Southern Italy: the 2025 Roccella Summer School of International Law and the Global Law and Political Economy Summer Academy.
Co-organised alongside Professor Raffaella Nigro (University ‘Magna Graecia’ of Catanzaro), the events brought together over 70 participants – including students, researchers and practitioners – to explore urgent questions of international law, justice, and political economy. The Roccella Summer School in particular is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for people from all backgrounds to reflect critically on international law’s relevance to the peaceful coexistence and the thriving of humanity. Its core mission is to promote wider public engagement with international law, fostering dialogue beyond traditional academic boundaries.
A highlight of the programme was the keynote address on the Day of International Criminal Justice (17 July) by HE Dr Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and current Gambia High Commissioner to the UK. Her address offered a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance in making international law work for justice and the world’s most vulnerable.
Participants engaged in accessible workshops, collaborative writing sessions and open discussions that encouraged peer learning and critical reflection across cultures, disciplines and lived experiences – all set against the backdrop of Roccella’s historic architecture and stunning coastal landscape.
Law student Vanshika Agarwal reflected on the event: “The experience reminded me that law is not just about rules or precedents, it is about people, identities, cultures, histories, and futures. Roccella gave me more than knowledge, it gave me inspiration, belonging, and the courage to keep going.”