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Theme: Environmental Law Education for Sustainable Development in the Middle East and North African (MENA) Region: Methodologies and Pedagogical Approaches for Effective Delivery
The third Scientific Conference and Workshop of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU) is planned to be held on November 1-5, 2021 to discuss and consolidate the achievements from the first two conferences held in Doha (Qatar) in November 2018, and in Settat (Morocco) in November 2019.
Chair’s Welcome Message
I warmly welcome you to the third Scientific Conference and Workshop of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU). This year’s conference builds on the achievements of the first two conferences held at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar in November 2018, and Settat (Morocco) in November 2019.
This year’s event features a five-day intensive and high-profile Train the Trainers (TTT) workshop organized, in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme. It will include the delivery of detailed training and lectures on environmental law by top-tier academics, practitioners, and trainers from across the world. The aim is to empower environmental law champions in the region with the advanced pedagogical skills and tools needed to drive the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially those relating to education, water, energy, climate change, and food security.
More importantly, as with previous occasions, we have put together a wide range of social events that will enable participants to renew old friendships, exchange new ideas and develop innovative approaches to the teaching of environmental law in their institutions.
I look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful Doha, Qatar!
Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN
Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Research), College of Law, HBKU
Chair, Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities
Chair of the 3rd MENA Environmental Law Scholars Conference
Dean’s Welcome Message
On behalf of the Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law, I am delighted to welcome you to Doha and to the 3rd Scientific Conference and Workshop of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU). Since its inception in 2018, ASSELLMU has been at the forefront of promoting education in environmental law in the MENA region. Driving ASSELLMU’s work are the pillars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which in turn are important to Qatar, as reflected in Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
Addressing the effects of climate change and reducing overall pollution is a legal regime that establishes clear standards and sets out a way for their enforcement. This requirement necessitates understanding the complexities of environmental law, both from a theoretical and practical perspective. ASSELLMU seeks to fill this gap and does so at a regional (MENA) level, relying on lessons learned from leading experts.
Support has and will always be critical to ASSELLMU’s success. We are grateful to ASSELLMU members and conference participants as your engagement provides essential substantive knowledge. Furthermore, your interaction and outreach to other environmental law experts in the MENA region has enabled the development of a network that reaches far beyond the events of a single conference or workshop.
We are also grateful to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its continuous financial support of ASSELLMU and its regular participation in ASSELLMU activities. ASSELLMU and its activities are also supported by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), and we are indebted to QNRF for its generosity.
Any regional organization with a forward-thinking agenda like ASSELLMU needs leadership, and so, we are indebted to HBKU Law Associate Professor Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi (SAN) and the ASSELLMU governing body for their vision and dedication.
While in Doha, I hope you have the chance to enjoy the beauty of our home in Education City, share a nice Arabic dinner among friends, and experience the warm Qatari hospitality. Welcome to Qatar!
Dr. Susan L. Karamanian
Dean, College of Law, HBKU
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Organizers
About ASSELLMU 2021
The third Scientific Conference and Workshop of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU) is planned to be held on November 1-5, 2021, to discuss and consolidate the achievements from the first two conferences held in Doha (Qatar) in November 2018, and in Settat (Morocco) in November 2019.
This year’s event, which features a five-day intensive and high-profile Train the Trainers (TTT) workshop organized, in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Program, aims to bring together environmental educators, university teachers, trainers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, experience, and learn from each other on how to strengthen environmental law teaching and practice in the region. As on previous occasions, it will provide a platform for sharing and exchanging information on the necessary resources, skills, approaches, and methodologies needed to equip students and future environmental administrators in the region with law and governance skills.
About Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), was founded in 2010 to continue fulfilling QF’s vision of unlocking human potential. A homegrown research and graduate studies, the university acts as a catalyst for positive transformation in Qatar and the region while having a global impact.
Located within Education City, HBKU seeks to provide unparalleled opportunities where inquiry and discovery are integral to teaching and learning at all levels utilizing a multidisciplinary approach across all focus areas.
HBKU is committed to actively contribute to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030 by building and cultivating human capacity through an enriching academic experience and an innovative research ecosystem. Through applying creativity to knowledge, students will have the opportunity to discover innovative solutions that are locally relevant and have a global impact.
At HBKU our students, faculty, staff, partners, and leadership all share a common belief in the power of higher education and research to make a positive impact on the development of nations.
More information at www.hbku.edu.qa/en
About Education City
Qatar Foundation’s flagship initiative is a campus of more than 12 square kilometers that hosts branch campuses of some of the world's leading educational institutes, a homegrown university, and other research, scholastic, and community centers. Together, these institutes make Education City a unique model of academic and research excellence, pioneering a new approach to multidisciplinary, global education and enabling breakthroughs that benefit Qatar and the rest of the world.
Total number of students across our universities and schools: 8,000+
Universities located in Education City: 9
Schools as part of our pre-university education network: 11
More information at https://www.qf.org.qa/education/education-city
About Qatar
Qatar has been an independent sovereign state since 1971. Qatar comprises an 11,500 square kilometer peninsula extending northwards into the Arabian Gulf. It has 563 km of uninterrupted coastline. The country’s population stands at 2.69 million and its capital city is Doha.
Local time is GMT/UCT + 3 hours. There are no daylight savings adjustments.
Qatar has a desert climate with year-round sunshine, very hot summers and mild winters. Mean monthly temperatures range from 17°C in January to 36°C in July, sometimes reaching highs of 40°C+ during the summer. Rain is infrequent, falling in brief showers mainly in winter.
Capital: Doha
Population: 2.69 million
Area: 11,500 sq. km
Language: Arabic
Religion: Islam
Currency: Riyal
Power Connection: The power plugs and sockets are of type D and G. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
More information at https://www.visitqatar.qa
Visa Information
Visa Information
Nationals of more than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, with varying lengths of stays allowed. Nationals of these eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver on arrival to Qatar, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
More details are available at https://portal.moi.gov.qa/qatarvisas/
Note: In addition to the required documents listed on the Qatar visa website, please carry the official invitation letter/email copy and hotel reservation with you for the immigration purposes.
Consent to use photographic, video and audio recordings
During the symposium, official photographers will be taking photographs, recording videos, or making audio recordings. The photographs, videos, and audio recordings will be used for symposium-related news and events including: promotional material, in both print and electronic format, on the Internet via HBKU and QF websites, and on social media.
Accommodation and Transportation
Accommodation option-1:
Alwadi Hotel
Within the MDD Musheireb Down Town City, Corner of Wadi Musheireb & Jassim Bin Mohammed Street Doha, Qatar
Website:
www.alwadihoteldoha.com
Contact:
Tel: +974 4009 9999
Email: H8395-re2@accor.com
Location:
Location
Bus service will be provided from the hotel to the venue.
Doha Metro green line to Qatar National Library.
Highlights:
- Located within Musheireb Down Town next to Souq Waqif
- 15 km to Qatar National Convention Centre
- 15 km to Qatar Foundation
- 20 km to Mall of Qatar
Accommodation option-2:
The Campus – Education City Guest Residence
The Campus - Education City Guest Residence, a short-term accommodation facility situated within the state-of-the-art, LEED Platinum student housing complex of Qatar Foundation (QF).
Website:
www.qf.org.qa/community/the-campus-education-city-guest-residence
Contact:
The Campus – Education City Guest Residence
Student Housing & Residence Life
Tel: +974 - 4023 7023 , +974 - 4023 7024
Email: thecampus@qf.org.qa
Location:
The Campus - Education City Guest Residence is located in SouthNest of Education City near the symposium venue, and our guests are housed in Amanah Hall. In addition to guest rooms and accommodation facilities, conference halls, communal areas, and prayer rooms are also available.
Location
Shuttle bus service will be available from the hotel to symposium venue.
Highlights:
- Closest and most cost-effective accommodation to the symposium venue. Approximately 500 meters away.
- Situated in a LEED Platinum facility following high sustainability standards.
- Dining facility, which offers a range of food options from breakfast to dinner.
- Our self- service laundry facilities are available on the second floor of Amanah Hall.
- Touch-ups in all guest rooms daily.
- The complimentary shuttle bus provided by QF Transport Department is available every 15 minutes on weekdays starting from 6:15am to 6pm, and every hour after 6pm until midnight.
Accommodation option-3:
Premier Inn Doha Education City Hotel
Behind Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), Doha, Qatar
Website:
https://global.premierinn.com/en
Contact:
Tel: +974 4007 8333
Fax: +974 4006 3330
Email: reservations.dec@mena.premierinn.com
Location:
https://g.page/premier-inn-doha-education-city?share
Shuttle bus service will be available from the hotel to symposium venue.
Highlights:
- Located within Education City
- 1 km to Qatar National Convention Centre
- 5 km to Qatar Foundation
- 10 km to Mall of Qatar
Accommodation option-4:
Al-Rayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton
Mall of Qatar P.O. Box 23325,
Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Contact:
Tel: +974-44899000
Fax: +974-44899599
Email: alrayyan.reservations@hilton.com
Location:
https://g.page/AlRayyanDohaCurio?share
Highlights:
- Attached to the Mall of Qatar; near convention center and must-see attractions
- 201 spacious and stylish guest rooms, including 25 specialty suites
- Various dining options, including rooftop restaurant and 24-hour room service
- Three outdoor temperature-controlled pools for adults, kids and relaxation
- Top-floor wellness areas.
Accommodation option-5:
DoubleTree by Hilton, Doha Old Town
Meena Street, Old Salata P.O. Box 20993 - Doha – Qatar
Website:
dohaoldtown.doubletree.com
Contact:
Tel: +974 4034 3333
Fax: +974 4034 3000
Reservations: dohaoldtown_reservations@hilton.com
Contact Person: William Decimoterzo
Direct: +974 4034 3569
Mob: +974 5033 7196
Email: william.decimoterzo@hilton.com
Location:
https://g.page/doubletreedohaoldtown?share
Highlights:
- A modern hotel located near the banking district, restaurants, shops, and the Corniche
- Near to the National Museum of Qatar, The Museum of Islamic Art, and Souq Waqif
- 10 minutes from Hamad International Airport
- Guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, complimentary Wi-Fi
- All day dining restaurant
- Complimentary fitness center and covered rooftop swimming pool
Transportation
Karwa is the national taxi and limousine service. To book a taxi call +974 800 8294,
UBER taxi service is also active in Qatar.
The Doha Metro: a mostly underground rail network which connects communities within Doha and its suburbs.
For journey planner click here.
For route map click here.
You can use your international driving license for seven consecutive days.
Currency Exchange
Minor Unit: 1/100 = Dirham
- 1.00 EUR = 4.05 QAR
- 1.00 USD = 3.64 QAR
- 1.00 GBP = 4.42 QAR
More information at https://www.visitqatar.qa
Submission ASSELLMU 2021
Theme
Environmental Law Education for Sustainable Development in the Middle East and North African (MENA) Region: Methodologies and Pedagogical Approaches for Effective Delivery
In acknowledgment of the importance of the environment to the MENA region, the plenary session and the TTT program will provide an opportunity for sharing information on how to enhance capacity for environmental law development and implementation in the region. The program will cover national, regional, and international law aspects on five main substantive topics:
International Environmental Law
Key multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) that, through their effective implementation, can advance the SDGs, specifically through issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy transition, food security, sustainable water management, land use and solid minerals, and clean technology entrepreneurship across the MENA region.
Environment Law Education for Sustainable Development
The role of environmental law education in advancing specific and critically important SDGs in the MENA region, especially those relating to water, energy, food, and economic diversification. Legal treatment of the determinants of environment and sustainable development in the countries of the Middle East and the Arab Maghreb.
Evidence-based Learning for Environmental Protection
Innovative educational techniques, legal tools, best practices, research, resources, and simulation models that can enhance legal and institutional capacity on environmental governance in the region.
Education Technologies (Ed-Tech) for Environmental Law
Existing technologies, enablers, challenges, and barriers faced in implementing MEAs in the region.
Practical Application
Current capacity development gaps and needs of environmental law agencies and ministries in the region, and how they can be met.
Papers
We are inviting abstracts for papers falling within any of the above topics that will propose groundbreaking academic-style contributions to environmental law in the MENA region. The contributions can take a continental approach to the issues they cover; or focus on sub-regional or country-level case studies. In so far as methodology is concerned, papers adopting multidisciplinary and empirical approaches are welcome. The papers can also address innovative approaches to teaching, carrying out research in and litigating environmental law.
Submission Guidelines
Environmental law teachers, scholars and legal practitioners, and other persons interested in the discipline of environmental law and policy from the MENA region, are invited to submit an abstract on any of the above five main substantive topics. The proposals should be of no more than 600 words and include the following elements:
- Name of the author
- Institutional affiliation of the author
- Author’s contact details
- Short description of the topic to be addressed in the paper
- The methodological approach taken
- A brief overview of the expected outcomes of the final paper
The submission must be original and not have already been published or submitted elsewhere. Please ensure that submissions do not infringe other people's intellectual property rights.
Submission of abstracts and publication timetable
The selection panel will consider the submitted abstracts and inform only the selected authors on or before October 7, 2021. On acceptance of an abstract by the selection panel, the author will be invited to present their paper for discussion at the ASSELLMU third Scientific Conference to be held on November 1-5, 2021.
In addition to comments received at the third Scientific Conference and TTT, authors of papers will receive comments from the editors of a journal special issue or book to be published. Authors are expected to incorporate these comments and return their final papers to the editors by January 31, 2022. Finally accepted papers will be published in a journal special issue or book.
The closing date for submission of abstracts is September 30, 2021. Any questions on this call for abstracts should be directed to dolawuyi@hbku.edu.qa
Abstracts should be submitted, together with a copy of the author’s curriculum vitae, as email attachments to Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN ( dolawuyi@hbku.edu.qa).