Guest lectures by Dr. Ahmed
Abdalla (Caïro)
'Child Labour as an Issue of
Human Development and International Law'
13 April 2005, 10-12 a.m.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Room 4B306
Summary:
A moral stigma but a social reality; that is
what child labour is. While it makes a harsh reality in the
under-developed world, it exposes an obnoxious immorality for
the developed world. Historic exploitation of poor nations and
present unfair terms of trade with them, impose a frank discussion
of human and legal dimensions of this international problem.
What is being done at the level of international law (conventions,
clauses, etc.) forms an important aspect of the ongoing discussion
regarding child labour as a challenge to humanity and its international
legality.
'The West
and Islam: which West, which Islam?'
14 April 2005, 10-12 a.m.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Room D2.01
Summary:
Yes, there were, there
are and there will always be conflicts between the Western world
and the Islamic world. These conflicts assume a bloody nature
as epitomized by the Infernos of Sept.11, Afghanistan and Iraq.
They also assume a character of peaceful bargaining as happens
in the UN where the two sides vote against each other (except
for the voting that leads to killing: e.g. Iraq’s case).
To avoid fire and blood both worlds should be reminded that
they belong to one “World”. The unity of the latter
needs to be enhanced not only by market mechanisms, but also
by values and rules of international justice, multiculturalism
and peaceful competition. What is at issue is not only misunderstanding
between the Western and the Islamic worlds. It is also a question
of validity and feasibility. In a word, we need another Western
world and another Islamic world to make coexistence, cooperation
and construction possible for the one world that combines other
races and religions of human kind!
Curriculum
Vitae of Dr. Ahmed Abdalla
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