Faculty Colloquium

Presenter: Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida, Professor of International Law, FGV Rio Law

Discussant: Aditya Sharma, PhD Candidate, Sciences Po Law School

LATIN TALES is a research project grounded on the understanding that International Law transcends a mere corpus iuris governing the conduct of legal subjects, since it provides a framework and a shared vocabulary for international political discourse. Operating within this legal-political context, international legal cases offer a platform for states to construct narratives advocating for a particular understanding of International Law. Providing a means to grasp complex legal and social phenomena, narratives can serve as instruments that organise knowledge and experiences into a compelling story.

These narratives, which reflect underlying political motivations, influence state decisions regarding participation before International Courts and Tribunals, the content of their written and oral submissions, and strategic efforts to influence the outcome of a case. LATIN TALES, therefore, aims to explore the narratives advanced by Latin American states in their participation before International Courts and Tribunals, particularly in cases concerning community interests.

LATIN TALES ICJ focuses on the ICJ advisory proceedings in which Latin American states have significantly participated, namely: (i) Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change; (ii) Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; and (iii) Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965.