INVITATION: Colloquium and Book Launch

The Dullah Omar Institute invites you to a colloquium and book launch on Monday, 16 May 2016 (15h00-18h00) at the Kader Asmal Moot Court, Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape.

Colloquium: The South African Constitution as an export model

The adoption of the 1996 Constitution and its successful implementation in the subsequent two decades, has been inspirational in constitution-making processes of a number of fragile countries, providing a model of how to deal with conflict within a framework of constitutional democracy.

Limited government through an enforceable Bill of Rights which included in particular socio-economic rights, an independent judiciary, democratic governance, and the devolution of state power are some of the key features that found traction in new constitutions. Perhaps the best example is the 2010 Kenyan Constitution that borrowed heavily from South Africa’s. The colloquium seeks to reflect on the South African Constitution as export model, the processes of transfers, and the factors that have contributed to the attractiveness of this model.

Topics and speakers:
Opening remarks – Prof Bernard Martin (Dean, Faculty of Law, UWC)

The South African Constitution in constitution-making processes globally: An international perspective - Prof Xavier Philippe (Director, Louis Favoreu Institute, Aix-Marseilles University)
The South African model of multi-level government as a peace-making device in highly divided societies – Prof Nico Steytler (SARChI Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Policy, Dullah Omar Institute, UWC). International borrowing from South Africa’s intergovernmental fiscal relations system - Bongani Khumalo (Acting Chairperson, Financial and Fiscal Commission)
When local goes global: The international impact of South Africa’s system of local government – Prof Jaap de Visser (Director, Dullah Omar Institute of Constitutional Law, Governance and Human Rights, UWC)

Time: 15h00 – 17h00

Book Launch: Kenya-South Africa Dialogue on Devolution, edited by Nico Steytler and Yash Pal Ghai (Juta & Co)

The Kenyan Constitution of 2010 largely copied the structure, approach, and principles of provincial and local government from the South African Constitution to establish a new system of devolved government. This book compares the two countries’ systems of devolution in terms of law and practice. Drawing on an in-depth assessment of the South African practice of multilevel government over the past 20 years, lessons – both positive and negative – are identified that may assist in the development of the nascent Kenyan system.

Welcome address – Prof Vivienne Lawack (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, UWC)
Prof Nico Steytler in conversation with Prof Yonatan Fessha (Deputy Dean, Faculty of Law, UWC)

Time: 17h00, followed by a reception
Please RSVP to: dullahomarinstituteuwc@gmail.com by 10 May 2016