Following on from my short post last week highlighting the Makwanyane Institute’s call for applications for its 2018 workshop (deadline 20th November, more details here), I am pleased to highlight another interesting opportunity. Below is the newly established University of The Gambia Law Review’s call for papers. All the details are set out below on how you can contribute a paper to its inaugural issue looking at the concept of the “New Gambia”. I would urge all our readers to read and consider submitting a paper. Just to make clear, I have no affiliation with the University of The Gambia, or its Law Review, beyond helping if I can and wanting to spread the message on what appears to be a great new inititiative. Enjoy! OW
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University of The Gambia Law Review: Call for Papers
Issue 1: The New Gambia
Theme
Since the recent inauguration of President Adama Barrow, the Gambia has renewed its commitment to the International Criminal Court, sought to re-join the Commonwealth, held legislative elections approved by international observers, and undergone processes towards establishing a truth, reconciliation and reparations commission. Transitional justice measures and infrastructural developments are complementary efforts towards a broader human rights movement that seeks to establish the Gambia as the human rights capital of Africa. Hosting Africa’s flagship human rights institution, the Gambia is the newest sub-Saharan democracy, with the subsequent potential to significantly advance the contemporary, international legal sphere. The immense opportunities and challenges possessed by the ‘New Gambia’ therefore centre upon the creation of laws, institutions and values that are necessary to protect human rights and advance the rule of law.
The redrafting of the Gambian Constitution amidst increased patriotism and optimism may produce new hopes and fears of justice and impunity. Yet, social issues such as rural to urban migration, poverty, youth unemployment, women’s rights, education and health persist. Thus, here lie the legal and political tasks of the ‘New Gambia’: To reform political peace with dialogue and freedom of expression; to facilitate a culture of possibility and widened economic revenue; and to establish values of justice and human rights amongst remnants of an old Gambian order.
The Faculty of Law aims to advance recent efforts towards democratic processes and good governance in The Gambia through legal education by strengthening academic credentials and promoting the potential of the legal community. As such, The University of The Gambia Law Review is calling for academic articles, student commentaries and activist contributions that cultivate and critique the concept of a ‘New Gambia’ from varying domestic and international, legal, political and developmental perspectives. Ideas may be based upon, but are not limited to, the following:
- Transitional justice
- International human rights law
- The Gambian Constitution
- Migration
- Poverty, unemployment and social exclusion
- Religion, culture and tribalism
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Gambia and the International Criminal Court
- Freedom of expression
- Political pressures in new governance
Deadline
The applications process is now open.
The deadline for final submission of papers is 15th March 2018.
Authors should submit a first draft of their article no later than this date. The quality of the papers will be screened by the team of editors, whom may request amendments.
Successful authors will be notified by email.
Submission
All articles, commentaries and contributions must adhere to the Law Review Guidelines. Once complete, papers should be sent to lawreview@utg.edu.gm.
Format
Main text font must be Arial, size 12, and justified with 1.5 line-spacing.
Footnotes must be Arial, size 10, and left-aligned with 1.0 line-spacing.
Articles must be 5,000 – 8,000 words, including footnotes.
Each article must have a 300-word abstract.
Commentaries and other contributions must be 1,500 – 3,000 words.
Every paper must be supplemented by a full reference list.
Citations must be consistent with the OSCOLA system.
Spelling and grammar must be consistent with British English.
Quality
Files must be submitted as .doc or .docx (such as from Microsoft Word or Open Office).
PDF submissions are not accepted.
All entries must read as formal academic papers, with a consistent writing style that is logical, precise and professional.
All factual statements must be supported by sources or research evidence that are cited in both the text and the reference list.
All entries must original and not previously published.