Addis Ababa University’s College of Law and Governance Studies launched the Clinical Legal Education program with the financial support received from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
ADDIS ABABA (AAU)–The College of Law and Governance Studies of Addis Ababa University (AAU) launched Clinical Legal Education in Addis Ababa and its Environs in a ceremony held on January 30, 2018 at the Main Campus School of Law Building.
Solomon Nigussie (PhD), Dean of the College of Law and Governance Studies, said that the Project has the overall goal of promoting access to justice through the provision of legal aid services to indigent, at risk and vulnerable sections of the society while improving student and legal practitioners’ practical skills and instill a strong sense of social responsibility and professional ethics among program beneficiaries.
Dr. Solomon added that the College of Law and Governance Studies is grateful for the financial support extended to it by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Head of School of Law, Yonas Birmeta (PhD), delivered a presentation on the achievements of the AAU Legal Aid Center and familiarization of the “Widening Access to Justice through Clinical Legal Education in Addis Ababa and its Environs” project.
According to the school head, more than four thousand beneficiaries sought and received services from the centers only in the past two years. The Legal Aid Center is located in the premises of the Oromia Supreme Court, Federal First Instance benches at Lideta and Kirkos Sub-cities.
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The Legal Clinic of Addis Ababa University School of Law was established in February 2015 with the financial support of the Royal Danish Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, legal professionals, academicians, administrative staff and students attended the ceremony.