Jul 30, 2002

US Universities staff visit the UNPO


On 21 March 2002, professors Hurst Hannum and Eileen Babbitt of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University in the US, visited the UNPO Secretariat.

Both are professors of international law and politics. The purpose was to obtain background information on the principles, structures, programmes and activities of the UNPO, as well as its membership. Central to the discussions was the issue of self-determination and the UNPO’s views on the need for a clear definition thereof. Questions were also asked on the distinction (if any) between minority rights and self- determination. Broad reference has been made to the various experiences of UNPO members and the current Lessons Learned Project.

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy is conducting research on the issue of negotiating self- determination, with reference to a possible need for more “flexibility” in determining the levels of self- determination as a solution to violent conflict. The Carnegie Foundation in The Hague is co-sponsor of the project.
Anne-Marie Gardner of the Princeton University visited the office on 18 April 2002.
Mrs. Gardner is a lecturer at the Politics Department, and currently conducts research for her PhD. The topic of her research is “Interna- tional response to self- determination”. The purpose of her visit was to share views with the UNPO on the effect a international human rights culture has had on states willingness to seriously or less-seriously consider the claims of minority groups, occupied nations and indigenous peoples on the right to self-determination.