The role of the university in the human rights movement

In developing this project, the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program sought to bring together for an interactive and interdisciplinary discussion a small number of people who had given sustained thought from different perspectives to issues concerning the role of the university in the human rights movement. The 23 participants noted in the Annex came from eighteen universities in nine countries, principally law faculties, and from research centers. The format and process for this meeting at Harvard Law School followed the pattern of prior meetings arranged by the Human Rights Program. Edited readings on the subject of the discussion were prepared in advance by the Program and distributed to all participants. No formal papers were presented. The participants engaged in a roundtable discussion about the issues that were outlined in advance of the meeting. Peter Rosenblum did most of the work in editing the transcript, while Henry Steiner participated in the editing. The published text considerably shortens the original transcript and occasionally revises the order of remarks, in order to present a readable and cogent exchange of ideas. Each participant had the opportunity to review and correct a draft of this publication, to be certain that its text accurately reflects the views expressed during the discussions. The Human Rights Program provided the funds necessary for the roundtable and for this publication.