the south africa human rights clinic: lessons and insights beth goldblatt visiting fellow,...
TRANSCRIPT
The South Africa Human Rights Clinic: Lessons and Insights
Beth GoldblattVisiting Fellow, Australian Human Rights Centre, UNSW
Course Description
• Five week internship at human rights and public interest NGOs in Johannesburg
• Preparation and supervision by lecturer• 6 students selected for 5 organisations • Students accompanied and oriented• Based in university accommodation
Objectives
• To provide services to NGOs• Experiential learning – law in practice• International comparative experience• Commitment to human rights and public
interest law• Personal growth and development
Assessment
• Participation in preparatory workshop (10%)• Clinic Performance (70%)• Memorandum (10%)• Presentations (10%)
•Film evening•Workshop•Reading •Logistics•Orientation,history,context
PREPARATION
Concurrent Supervision
• Placement Supervision• Face-to-face/email/skype contact• Reflective journals
Variety of work experience
• Public interest clients• Indigent clients• Complex public interest litigation• Regional and international work• Conceptual work• Strategic evaluation• Forms of research and writing
Inner City Property and Heritage Case
The Franklin & Jazz Spirit (Pty) Ltd v Limbada & Others
Marikana Mine Shooting Enquiry
ProBono remote clinics
Eviction Main Street
•Substantial responsibilities•Informed interest in different areas of law•Informed choice of future work in law•Improved confidence and skills•Excitement/despair about using law for change
Student reflections
Partner evaluations
• Generally very positive• High standard of student competence, work
habits, ethics and commitment• Real assistance/value to partners• Want to repeat the clinic • Longer would be better (some)
Challenges/Insights
• Value to partners/edu-tourism?• Risk/security/logistics• Preparation• Value of the group experience• Value of different partners• Other assessment options: newsletter
article/blog/clinic output - academic?• Communication with partners (expectations,
supervision)
THANKS
QUESTIONS?