A New Day: Prime Time to Advance Afghan Clinical Education

3(1) Asian Journal of Legal Education 1 (2016)

UC Berkeley Public Law Research Paper No. 2710518

39 Pages Posted: 4 Jan 2016

See all articles by Stephen A. Rosenbaum

Stephen A. Rosenbaum

University of California, Berkeley - School of Law; University of California, Berkeley - Othering & Belonging Institute (formerly Haas Institute for a Fair & Inclusive Society); University of Washington - Disability Studies Program

Date Written: October 5, 2015

Abstract

In a previous issue of the JOURNAL, Richard Grimes discussed the role that legal clinics can play in facilitating access to justice in a post-conflict society, such as Afghanistan’s, wracked by decades of civil war, external military intervention, and consequential regime changes. 1 (2) ASIAN J. LEGAL EDUC. 71 (2014). As foreign military forces withdraw, this Central Asian nation faces renewed security concerns and uncertainty about its politico-economic future. Yet, there is now a critical mass of law and Shari’a professors trained in the principles of experiential education, a few legal clinics are in place, and many deans are keen on hosting a clinic, with a vigorous nod of approval from the higher education ministry. Piloting a clinical programme requires a team of faculty members who remain in continuous contact with their peers across the nation and across the globe. This should include a partnership with a reputable law school abroad; support from in-country administrative staff; and periodic visits by consultants.

In addition, legal faculties and university administrators need to nurture clinical education by facilitating the development of new curricula, service-learning, and interdisciplinary and inter-university collaboration and exchange. While they needn’t reinvent policies, protocols or perhaps even priority assessments, they must remain vigilant that clinical legal education not be divorced from the rest of the curriculum. The temptation to purchase durable goods will be great, but the clinic staff should be much more strategic and frugal about ways for students, staff, and clients to access information and a space for consultation, training, and work. Finally, an essential but elusive goal is to maintain a relationship with donors that is marked by candour and coordination of activities with other funders.

Keywords: Afghanistan, Legal Education, Clinical Legal Education, Law School Clinic, Rule of Law, Law and Development

Suggested Citation

Rosenbaum, Stephen A., A New Day: Prime Time to Advance Afghan Clinical Education (October 5, 2015). 3(1) Asian Journal of Legal Education 1 (2016), UC Berkeley Public Law Research Paper No. 2710518, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2710518

Stephen A. Rosenbaum (Contact Author)

University of California, Berkeley - School of Law ( email )

Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
United States

University of California, Berkeley - Othering & Belonging Institute (formerly Haas Institute for a Fair & Inclusive Society) ( email )

Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

University of Washington - Disability Studies Program ( email )

Seattle, WA 98195
United States

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