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Children are the greatest treasure entrusted to any generation and the care of future generations is our sacred trust. International law is concerned with the welfare of humanity as a whole and not merely with one generation. International law would be greatly lacking in its duties and perspectives if it confined its attention to the interests of those who are alive here and now. It needs to take into view the human family as a whole and the generations yet to come as part of the human family. I stress again that empowering the International Court does not mean empowering in the sense of giving it armed force but empowering in the sense of giving greater universal moral authority to its decrees – a moral authority which would extend so far that no nation or individual would want to incur the displeasure and contempt of the world community by acting in a contrary fashion. |
The City Montessori School is dedicated to this concept and what I have outlined is one of the most effective and practical ways in which the authority of the court in this regard can be enormously strengthened and rendered universally binding. |
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—Hon'ble Mr Justice C. G. Weeramantry
Former Vice President, International Court of Justice, The Hague
Advisor of the International Conferences of Chief Justices of the World
& Laureate of 2006 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education
Message dated 13th December 2008
delivered at the 9th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World |
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We need to improve resources of organisations whose efforts are so vital in building a world law and legal institutions, to mobilise world wide public opinion to support this endeavour. We must never forget to urge states and international organisations to put into effect and ratify international conventions, treaties, laws, ideas and institutions that will further mankind's goal. We must continue to encourage legal education and research in international law in law schools, exchange of law teachers and law students, and establish good, well-stocked libraries with international law materials. We must encourage and support peace education programmes in schools and colleges on the model of the City Montessori School. I wish to emphasise that once ideas are born, they become indestructible and although they may be hampered by chains in the end, they break through because they are immortal. We are bound to achieve our vision because we are on the right side of history. Let us all support the Gandhi Vision, the CMS Project, our common future. |
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—Hon'ble Mr Justice B. J. Odoki
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Uganda
Patron of the International Conferences of Chief Justices of the World
Speech dated 12th December 2009
delivered at the 10th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World |
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Regarding an enforceable world law in protecting children's rights, judges in almost every country increasingly look to international law and to the laws of other countries in interpreting their national law and in solving new problems.
Participation in international conferences such as this one allows delegates to share ideas and seek solutions to common problems. An understanding of how colleagues reached their decisions in similar cases can assist a judge in reaching a decision in a case which he or she may be facing for the first time. It is vital that those involved in enforcing, applying and monitoring implementation of the standards in children's rights remain open to the positive influence which other standards offer.
It is time to share ideas and assistance in a broader context. The rule of law and the concept of justice are worldwide and fundamental principles. |
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—Hon'ble Mr Justice Lex Mpati
President, Supreme Court of Appeal, South Africa
Speech dated 12th December 2009
delivered at the 10th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World |
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