Three University of Queensland law students will go to Myanmar next week to present at the Asia Pro Bono Conference and Legal Ethics Forum.
TC Beirne School of Law students William Lee, Balawyn Jones and Rebecca Morrison will attend the four-day conference as part of a Brisbane delegation also including Caxton Legal Centre and the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House.
UQ Pro Bono Centre director Monica Taylor said she hoped the program would bring greater collaboration between Australian and international law students about the importance of law school-supported pro bono activities.
“UQ’s law school is committed to developing a strong pro bono and public service ethos in our students,” Ms Taylor said.
“Across Asia, law students are making strong contributions to improving access to justice in their communities.
“In Myanmar, our law students will have the opportunity to connect with their peers from other countries in the region to share their experiences and their passion for pro bono work.”
At the conference, Mr Lee, Ms Jones and Ms Morrison will present the findings of their six-month research project which looked at various models for engaging law students in pro bono work.
Mr Lee said he had gained an appreciation for what pro bono work could achieve.
“Even as a student, I’ve been able to achieve something positive in the community,” he said.
Mr Lee has been involved in the Manning Street Project, a collaboration between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre. He has also worked with the Landowners Advocacy and Legal Support Unit in the Solomon Islands.
“They have quite a different legal system, but I was still able to apply my skills to the issue at hand,” Mr Lee said.
He said he was looking forward to learning more about pro bono work across the region during the conference in Myanmar.
“It is an amazing opportunity for us to engage with new ideas alongside very knowledgeable and influential legal professionals, and to share our perspectives,” Mr Lee said.
The Asia Pro Bono Conference and Legal Ethics Forum is in its fourth year. Previous conferences were held in Laos, Vietnam and Singapore.
The UQ Pro Bono Centre is grateful for The Honourable Justice Glen Williams AO QC’s donation to help support the cost of the trip, which is otherwise self-funded by the students.
Media: UQ Pro Bono Centre director Monica Taylor, m.taylor@law.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 6192, +61 (0) 431 866 344; Nadine Davidson-Wall, n.davidson-wall@law.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 9263.
