International Law, Legal culture and Lawfare - different approaches between the West and the East

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the significance of international law has grown exponentially. International law encompasses a vast array of legal systems, norms, and principles that govern the interactions between states, international organizations, other non-state actors and us, individuals.

Legal culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, written norms and oral customs that shape the legal system and influence the behavior and perceptions of individuals within a particular legal community. We delve into the formation and development of legal consciousness, examining how personal experiences, education, media, and social norms shape individuals’ perceptions of international law.

Such perceptions occur not only in the time of peace, but also during wartime. Lawfare became another tool in warfighting, where parties (mis)use international law principles to gain military and political aims.

About the speaker:

Dr. Joanna Siekiera is an international lawyer, Doctor of Public Policy from Poland. She works as a legal advisor to various military institutions such as NATO Stability Policing Center of Excellence in Italy, Finnish Defense Forces International Center, and United States Marine Corps Brute Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare.

Dr. Siekiera did her postdoctoral research at the University of Bergen in Norway, and her Ph.D. studies in New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington.

Her areas of expertise are law of armed conflict and the Indo-Pacific region. Moreover, Siekira's career has been highlighted thanks to the publication of book, articles and legal opinions on international law, international relations, and security.

If you are interested in learning more about her work, you can check her both professional and personal sites: University of Bergen, LinkedIn & Twitter.

Learning objectives:

• Critical thinking
• Financial & legal literacy
• Intercultural skills

Requirements

• First comes, first served
• There is no limit on the number of places available

Certificate/ECTS: Not given

Language: English

This activity is part of Work Package 5.