International Law to Be Discussed at HSE
On the 27th May 2015 Professor Wolfgang Graf Vitzthum, of the University of Tubingen will lead a discussion at the HSE Faculty of Law on Current Problems in International Law. The discussion coincides with the launch of a second Russian edition of his authoritative textbook which describes the branches, institutions and fundamental concepts of international law and its development. The discussion is open to all and will be in English at 10.30 am in room 315, 17 Malaya Ordynka Street.
Professor Graf Vizthum has talked to the HSE English News service ahead of the discussion about why international law is not at all dull and of the important role it plays in today’s globalised world.
— What will be the main topics of the discussion on international law at the HSE on the 27th?
— I am open to treat any public international topic my colleagues and/or the students want to discuss, e.g. the importance of the epochs and the "schools" of international law; territorial integrity; self-determination of peoples; the incorporation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
— Do you share the point of view that the law is a dry subject?
— No, definitely not! Law is fascinating, it tells you a lot about history, mentality and aspirations of people and countries. Public international law in particular is of utmost importance to transnational and inter-state understanding, coexistence and cooperation.
— What is attractive to young people in international law today, in the epoch of globalisation?
— The epoch of globalisation is also an epoch of multiculturalism, in communication, religion, arts, international law etc. It is true, specialists in international law are, like all lawyers, influenced by their education in domestic legal systems. In our multicultural epoch, however, they’ll have to deal with (and internalize) norms, interpretations and interests deriving from totally different cultural backgrounds. Therefore, its more useful than ever before, I think, to learn languages, to read foreign scholarly books, to study and to travel abroad etc.
— You are going to present the second edition of your book on international law in Russian. That's a success! Is it an updated version or is the interest and demand are so high?
— It’s a thoroughly updated version (just like, in 2014, the second edition in Chinese).
— Do you include anything from Russian legislation in your research?
— Only if it’s translated into German (like Martens, Korowin etc.) or cited in English or French because, alas, I don’t speak Russian.
Professor Vitzthum is a famous German specialist in public and international law. From 1981 to 2009 he was a Professor at Law Faculty of Tubingen University and is author of many books and articles on administrative, constitutional and international and European law.
Anna Chernyakhovskaya, specially for HSE News service
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