Global support for Addis Ababa
Founded in 1961, the Law Faculty at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia was once the finest law school in Africa. However, systematic decline halted academic progress. DLA Piper’s first ever global CSR project – undertaken in collaboration with Northwestern University and Accenture – aimed to support the Faculty by developing a series of lectures and teaching courses that provide students with an education of the highest quality.
An intense period of research and discussion across countries led to the development of an effective programme. Each course involves intensive two-week seminars to supplement the graduate legal curriculum. We also provide lectures to members of the Ethiopian Bar and met with relevant local associations and government ministries in order to provide a holistic approach to developing the country’s rule of law.
A successful application was made to the DLA Piper Foundation for a substantial grant. Sponsorship was also sought and obtained from Ethiopian business interests and other international corporations with an interest in an improved legal and regulatory regime in Ethiopia.
DLA Piper Norway offered an all expenses paid trainee placement to Addis Ababa students during autumn and a further placement was offered to a student from Mekelle University in northern Ethiopia - such was the impact of the project on the Norwegian teaching team.
This project was both challenging and rewarding. From its inception we had to develop new best practice, and show our ability to be pragmatic and innovative in what was fairly unchartered waters. So far the scheme has:
· Reached around 1000 undergraduates and 100 graduate students
· Delivered nine separate courses on international business law
· Involved around 4,000 hours of our time
· Used the skills of 40 DLA Piper team people from 16 offices across the globe.
“We are very grateful for the assistance we are receiving from DLA Piper. The Law Faculty at Addis Ababa University is facing significant challenges and the DLA Piper lawyers have worked with us to identify and respond to our specific needs. The assistance has been invaluable.“
Fikremarkos Merso, Dean of the Addis Ababa Law School