Stefanie McCollum, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar, and Faizel Moosa, Ambassador of South Africa to Qatar, during the colloquium organised by the College of Law and Public Policy.
The College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently hosted a colloquium with ambassadors to Qatar that addressed International Law and Foreign Relations in a Turbulent World.
Susan L Karamanian, Dean of CLPP, chaired a panel discussion with guest speakers Stefanie McCollum, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar, and Faizel Moosa, Ambassador of South Africa to the State of Qatar, who is also a lawyer. Joining them on the panel was Dr Ilias Bantekas, Professor of Law, CLPP.
Ambassadors McCollum and Moosa explored the nature of foreign policy decision-making in an increasingly unsettled world, while reflecting on the intricacies of diplomacy, including the qualities and skillsets required for the effective resolution of international disputes.
Professor Bantekas put their remarks in a theoretical context by examining new ways of considering international law beyond the traditional State-centric approach.
Karamanian said, “CLPP was honoured to welcome Ambassadors McCollum and Moosa, who engaged in an open dialogue on the key role of diplomats in informing international law and policies. Attendees obtained first-hand insights into the importance of dialogue in diplomacy, in particular, and the challenges of maintaining it when core values are at issue.”
During the event, panellists recognised the foundational role of international law in foreign policy, and discussed how diplomats, lawyers, and foreign ministries represent sovereign states in specific areas, such as trade, access to resources, and human rights.
