Rosemarie Loftus

This year’s Summer School, entitled ‘Rules-Based International Order in an Age of Disruption: Is International Law Dead?’, began yesterday.

Across the two days, the programme explores the future of international law, the impact of strategic rivalry, Europe’s changing security environment, sanctions and supply chains, and the role of alliances, partnerships and coalitions in responding to global instability.

High-profile speakers at the event include:

• Avril Haines (former director of US National Intelligence and former deputy director of the CIA);
• The Honourable Rose Gottemoeller (William J. Perry Lecturer and former deputy secretary general of NATO);
• Dr Dmytro Kuleba (former Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs);
• Leo Varadkar (former taoiseach);
• Senator Michael McDowell SC;
• Fergal Keane (former BBC News foreign correspondent, freelance journalist and author);
• General Seán Clancy (chair of the European Union Military Committee);
• Dr. Patrick Bury (reader in Security, University of Bath)
• Professor Federico Fabbrini (full professor of EU Law and founding director of the Dublin European Law Institute at DCU).

Rosemarie Loftus, president of the Law Society, said: “The international legal order is under significant pressure, from war in Europe to economic fragmentation and renewed strategic rivalry.

“This year’s Summer School brings together some of the world’s leading voices to consider how law, diplomacy and democratic institutions can respond to that disruption. These are questions with real consequences for Ireland, Europe and the wider international community.”