Canberra, Monday 11 February, 2002

HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION AFTER SEPTEMBER 11

The last decade of the twentieth century saw the emergence of a ‘new humanitarianism’, marked by a heightened concern on the part of the international community for the plight of those subject to systematic and profound violations of human rights and crimes against humanity. This concern was matched by increased political and legal activism, evident in a series of direct international military interventions (Somalia, Kosovo and East Timor) and in the development of new international judicial institutions (notably the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court).
What impact will the events of September 11, and the subsequent 'War on Terrorism’, have on this ‘new humanitarianism’? Will the sense of obligation to the world’s most persecuted be eroded by new global insecurities? Will there be more or less chance of international agreement to intervene to prevent major humanitarian crises? Will international institutions such as the United Nations be strengthened or weakened in the new security environment? How will the ‘War on Terrorism’ affect the rule of international law, and will the capacity of international legal institutions to deal with humanitarian problems be strengthened or weakened? What role should Australia play in advancing international humanitarianism in the twenty-first century?
The National Europe Centre at the Australian National University draws your attention to two significant events which will address issues of humanitarian intervention which have become pressing after September 11: a Round Table Discussion and National Press Club Lunch on Tuesday 12 February.

ROUNDTABLE

9.00-11.15am, Mills Room, Chancelry Building, Fellows Road, ANU

Ambassador Peter Van Walsam
(Former President of the UN Security Council)

Professor Andrew Byrnes
(Centre for International and Public Law, ANU)

Professor Tony Coady
(Department of Philosophy, University of Melbourne)

Dr Chris Reus-Smit
(Head, Department of International Relations, ANU)

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB PANEL DISCUSSION AND LUNCH

12.00-2.00pm, National Press Club, Canberra

The Hon. Alexander Downer
(Minister of Foreign Affairs)

Ambassador Peter Van Walsam
(Former President UN Security Council)

Sir Ninian Stephen
(Former Justice of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia)

The Hon. Kevin Rudd
(Opposition Spokesman for Foreign Affairs)

The Department of International Relations, National Europe Centre and the Royal Netherlands Embassy encourage all of those interested to attend. Bookings are not required for the Roundtable, but they are for the Press Club Panel Discussion. To book for the latter, please contact the Press Club directly on 6273 3644.

Dr Chris Reus-Smit
Senior Fellow and Head of Department
Department of International Relations
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Australian National University
Phone: 61 2 6125 2165,
Fax: 61 2 6125 8010
URL: http://rspas.anu.edu.au/ir

Dr John Gage
Deputy Director, National Europe Centre
Australian National University
Phone: 61 2 6125 3481, Fax: 61 2 6125 9976
Email: John.Gage@anu.edu.au
URL: http://www.anu.edu.au/NEC/homenec.html

For further information contact Genevieve Turville, ANU Public Affairs, 02 6125 5575 or 0416 249 245

No 13/02

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002