In partnership with The Leitner Center for International Law and Justice, the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs will host the Inaugural Fr. Miguel D’Escoto Memorial Lecture: “Spiritual Sources of Legal Creativity” on October 24 at 11 AM at Fordham University Law School, Room 3-03.
In the 1980s, Maryknoll priest and Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Father Miguel D’Escoto was a lead advocate in a historic case before the International Court of Justice. In its final verdict, the United States was found guilty of orchestrating acts of aggression in Nicaragua during the Contra guerrilla insurgency.
“It was not only a moral and political victory, but a vindication of Miguel’s underlying belief that international law, not violence, was the basis of peace and justice in the relations among nations,” wrote Richard Falk, a lead counsel in the case.
This lecture will commemorate the legacy of the priest and diplomat through the memories and reflections of:
- Kevin M. Cahill, M.D., University Professor, Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham University
- Richard Falk, Professor Emeritus, Princeton University School of Law
- Ambassador Carlos Argüello Gómez, Agent of Nicaragua to the International Court of Justice and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Martin S. Flaherty, Leitner Family Professor of Law, Fordham Law School
- H.E. Nassir Al Nasser, High Representative, United Nations Alliance