Law and Rwanda: Can a New Legal System be the Foundation for Prosperity and Stability in Africa? Don Wallace International Law Institute Chairman Georgetown University Cornell's Robert Summers, right, and Georgetown's Don Wallace, center, are co-drafting the Rwanadan legal code. Muna Ndulo, left, is serving as an adviser on the project. Photo by Sheryl Sinkow Monday, August 27th Petroleum Club  Petroleum Room  800 Bell Street 43rd floor  Registration: 11:30 a.m. Program: Noon-1:30 p.m. Members: $35 Non-members: $45 Preferred Table : $500  Online registration is closed. To register, email rsvp@wachouston.org or call (713) 522-7811

To what extent can a new legal system change a society? During the 1994 genocide, almost one million people were killed in Rwanda in a three month period. Since then, the Rwandan people have been determined to build a different future. The country has moved steadily from chaos to creative development, from devastation to democracy. An important part of this new future is a new justice system. President Paul Kagame has thrown out the civil law code, asking Don Wallace and the members of the International Law Institute to rewrite the constitution, to develop a common law system for the country, and to train the next generation of Rwandan attorneys. What is the potential impact of Rwanda's new legal system on the country and the region? Can a new legal structure be the foundation for peace and prosperity? Don Wallace, Jr. is Chairman of the International Law Institute of Washington, D.C. and a Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where he has taught international law, international trade, international business transactions, international procurement, foreign affairs and the U.S. Constitution. He has worked with numerous international institutions and has taught law in China, Egypt, Indonesia, Africa, Russia and most of the post-Soviet states. Since its origin as part of Georgetown University in 1955, the International Law Institute has provided technical assistance and practical solutions to the legal, economic and financial problems of developing countries - training over 14,000 officials, managers, and practitioners from more than 185 countries since its first seminar in 1971. Online registration is closed.  To register, email rsvp@wachouston.org or call (713) 522-7811