Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The RUDN University Law Institute, in collaboration with one of Indonesia's leading universities, the University of Brawijaya, held a Summer School on International Environmental Law. This large-scale project brought together over 100 students, young researchers, and faculty from 30 countries, including China, India, and Malaysia.
One of the school's events was the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Russian Ecological Society: Defending the Future." Representatives of the Russian Ecological Society, the National Center for Ecological Reform Competence, and the Center for Ecological Reform Competence, RUDN University professors, and international experts presented their papers. Following the conference, a collection of papers will be published, which will significantly contribute to the development of international scientific cooperation in the field of ecology and sustainable development.
"In my presentation, I wanted to convey the idea that the intensive international negotiations on combating plastic pollution, which have been ongoing for three years, demonstrate the complexity of the quest for sustainable development, the importance of simultaneously preserving the environment, addressing the social concerns of workers involved in these processes, and considering the economic interests of states and companies. Water wears away a stone, as they say. Scientists in Russia and Indonesia are demonstrating consensus and drawing the attention of states to the same global problems that require immediate solutions. Science has always had and will continue to have a significant influence on the environmental policies of their countries," said Alexander Solntsev, Associate Professor of the Department of International Law at the Law Institute of RUDN University.
From theory to practice
As for the students, they gained knowledge on a wide range of issues during the Summer School:
On the contribution of UN bodies to the concept of sustainable development; on the law of climate change; on corporate social responsibility and "green" finance, as well as corporate impact on the rights of indigenous peoples; on the legal basis for the protection of Lake Baikal; on access to justice in environmental disputes and legal protection of the environment in the Arctic; on the role of China in global environmental governance and the legal aspects of "green" investments in Hunan Province; on marine environmental security and the "blue economy".
"The topic of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples resonated with me the most. It's because it directly relates to me, as I'm a Buryat—an indigenous people of Eastern Siberia and the Baikal region. It was helpful to see how these issues are discussed in international law and what examples exist in other countries," says Dimid Milgadayeva, a third-year undergraduate student in International Law at RUDN University.
"From the school's lectures and seminars, I remember a case about how local residents protested against the construction of a large hydroelectric power station. We discussed their rights and how international law could protect them. I used to think that such issues were resolved simply through protests or not at all. But it turns out that people have real legal tools, such as environmental impact assessments and national and international courts. And that they can work. I hadn't really found environmental law interesting before, but now I'm thinking about pursuing a master's degree in this field," says Aurelia Anna Louise Belluan, a second-year undergraduate student in International Law at the RUDN University Law Institute.
By the way, the first stage of the school took place in Moscow, and the second in Indonesia.
"While the Moscow program focused more on theoretical aspects and consisted of lectures by leading experts, discussions, and project work, in Indonesia, the students were immersed in the local context and had more practical experience: they participated in off-site seminars and analyzed real environmental cases. Thus, the topics of the first stage of the school were further developed: from theory in Moscow to practical application in Malang," said Asiyat Ibragimova, International Affairs Specialist at the RUDN Law Institute.
Joint projects
RUDN University students and students at an Indonesian university were interested in comparing the differences in environmental legislation between the two countries.
"For example, we have a greater emphasis on sustainable development and community rights, while in Russia, more attention is paid to industry. But overall, due to globalization, approaches are merging and gradually becoming universal across all countries," says Mikail Muhamad, a fourth-year student at the University of Brawijaya from Indonesia.
According to Veronika Dolganova, a fourth-year bachelor's student at the RUDN University Law Institute (Jurisprudence program), she greatly appreciates the opportunity to work in a multinational team during the Summer School.
"The ability to listen to different points of view, seek compromises, and find common ground even when legal systems and cultural approaches differ. This skill, in my opinion, is essential for every lawyer planning an international career," says Veronika Dolganova.
"This was my first time interacting with someone from Indonesia; I knew practically nothing about the country, its culture, or its laws. It was very interesting to hear how people from other countries approach the environment and environmental issues like global warming, pollution, and resource depletion. In our country, these issues are often perceived as secondary, but they spoke about them as part of everyday life. After such conversations, you begin to see these topics more broadly, not just as laws but as things that actually impact people," said Elizaveta Statsevich, a third-year undergraduate student in International Law at RUDN University.
During the discussions, the students came up with ideas for joint projects between students and their universities. For example, the Summer School participants decided to prepare an article comparing the environmental legislation of their countries.
"During the school, we also discussed the idea of joint educational modules that could be developed by several universities from Russia and Asia. I think this could really be implemented. For example, a course on international environmental law with faculty from different countries," says Anugrah Muhammad, a fourth-year student at the University of Brawijaya from Indonesia.
RUDN University's cooperation with foreign universities
RUDN University and the Indonesian University of Brawijaya have enjoyed a long-standing partnership: a cooperation agreement is in place and a collaborative work program is being implemented. Furthermore, a specialized class from our university has opened at the university. The parties plan to further develop their partnership. Negotiations are currently underway to continue student exchange and academic mobility programs, and the possibility of expanding the scope of joint schools and seminars is also being discussed. Furthermore, RUDN University has agreed with its Chinese partners, who participated in the Summer School on International Environmental Law, to launch a winter internship for our students.
The internship will take place in two law firms: Yingqi Law Firm and Solicitors
In addition, the parties agreed to hold a Winter School for students on international law in China.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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