2010

The 23rd Helsinki Summer Seminar on International Law Human Rights – Past, Present, Future 16-27 August 2010

Human rights are commonly celebrated as ‘values for a godless age’. Their integration in national constitutions is regarded as a cause for celebration and
their inclusion in the agendas of international institutions is seen to signal worldwide progress. How did we come to witness this triumph of human rights?
This seminar brings together scholars of various theoretical orientations to discuss the history and ideology of human rights as well as the role of rights
in domestic and international societies. Through its combination of critical query, historical analysis and empirical data, the seminar hopes to challenge
commonplace understandings and to inspire critical discussions on the future.

Lecturers:
Prof. Makau W. Mutua (University at Buffalo Law School)
Prof. Janet Halley (Harvard Law School)
Prof. Elina Pirjatanniemi (Åbo Akademi University)
Dr. Miia Halme (University of Helsinki)
Dr. Lior Barshack (Radzyner School of Law)
Dr. Dimitrios Efthymiou (European University Institute University College London)
Dr. Stiina Löytömäki (European University Institute)
Dr. Stephen Hopgood (SOAS, University of London)