WHO: The International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI) at DePaul University will host Ambassador John E. Herbst, coordinator for reconstruction and stabilization, for the U.S. State Department; Thomas A. Schweich, visiting professor and ambassador-in-residence at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law; David Crane, professor of law at the Syracuse University College of Law and Doug Cassel, director of the Center for Civil and Human Rights at the University of Notre Dame Law School, and Ambassador J.D. Bindenagel, vice president for community, government and international affairs at DePaul, for a discussion on rule of law operations around the world.

WHAT: Will discuss rule of law operations around the world. Panelists will examine new collaborations in the field as well as programs designed to increase the nation’s civilian response capacity. Civilian responders can be deployed to help provide diplomatic and reconstruction support in coordination with military efforts for security and stabilization. The event is free and open to the public. Make reservations at www.law.depaul.edu/ihrli/register.

WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Crystal Room.

Background: The U.S. State Department is working to harness the full range of skills and resources needed to improve our nation’s response in conflict situations. Panelists will draw on their broad personal backgrounds with capacity building programs to discuss such topics as the challenges faced in real-world implementation, expanding coordination between participating entities as a means to increase the impact, and the need to work with local populations to better contextualize programs. Presenters also will discuss innovative projects, including the Civilian Response Corps (CRC)—civilian responders intended to deploy on short notice to unconventional and conflict environments—and how Chicago professionals can become involved. Other speakers will include Victor Rostow, the former executive director of the Core Group for Global Security Affairs, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense-Policy; Daniel Rothenberg, managing director of International Projects, International Human Rights Law Institute; Thomas Dempsey, Professor of Security Sector Reform, U.S. Army; Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute and Melanne Civic, senior rule of law advisor for the office of the coordinator of reconstruction and stabilization.