Diane Dunn Panama Director Global Law Brigades
[email protected] Mobile: 6799-6424 www.lawbrigades.org www.globalbrigades.org
GLOBAL LAW BRIGADES: An international volunteer network of students and law professionals collaborating with local organizations and developing communities to improve quality of life by implementing legal empowerment, human rights, environmental protection, and business law strategies for micro-enterprise development. BRIGADES: Global Brigades, a secular, 501c3 non-profit organization, works with university students and law students to form on-campus Global Law Brigades clubs. These clubs organize 7-8 day trips to Panama, accompanied by advisors and local guides, to participate in legal empowerment projects including human rights, indigenous rights, women´s rights, environmental protection, organic and fair trade certification. Our programs identify and analyze domestic and international laws beneficial to disadvantaged communities, so we can create positive, proactive solutions. Global Law Brigades programs in Panama also work in collaboration with our strategic development programs including Business, Architecture, and Environmental Brigades. Together we empower students, professionals, and developing communities to challenge poverty through a holistic approach to development and poverty alleviation. FEASIBILITY OF SCOPE: The needs of the community should be addressed to some measurable extent within one year. The solutions are both tangible (formal agreements, contracts, certification, licensing, etc.) and intangible (legal empowerment of community members through education and workshops). Project phases will be implemented by one-week Brigades. PARTNERSHIP: Global Law Brigades builds partnerships with universities, government agencies, and local and international organizations addressing a broad range of legal issues to challenge poverty and empower developing communities. These relationships provide our volunteers with local knowledge and expertise, while ensuring that all projects are needs-based, environmentally, culturally, and socially conscious. NECESSITY: Our projects address critical legal problems faced by indigenous communities, small farmers, women, displaced persons, and other disadvantaged populations. Projects and strategies empower these communities to advocate for human rights, challenge poverty, respect traditional cultures, and preserve the environment. SUSTAINABILITY: Projects are self sustaining, and empower local communities with education, resources, partnership support, and global visibility. After each phase of implementation, Global Law Brigades clubs share information about the status of the project to pursue successful resolution. We also ensure that local legal expertise is available as needed for follow up, monitoring of project status, and evaluating community impact. LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT: At least two individuals within the community and partnership organization serve as ongoing contacts for Law Brigades in Panama. The contacts agree on a mutually satisfactory reporting means to monitor the progress of each project.
Global Law Brigades is a secular, international volunteer network of students and law professionals who collaborate with local organizations and developing communities to implement legal empowerment, human rights, environmental protection, and business rights strategies for micro-enterprise development.