World Moot on International Law and Animal Rights (WMILAR)

Announcing the winners of WMILAR @ PRAVOS ?? We are so proud of everyone who took part in our regional rounds for Europe and Central Asia at PRAVOS nearly two weeks ago . Each participant offered a unique perspective, persuasive arguments, and genuine hope for a better legal future for all animals! Many congratulations to the University of Leipzig: Josephine G?tze and Marie Kolb , who were named Regional Champions ?????? Congratulations also to the Runners-Up, from the University of Lapland: Ida Nurmi, Nelli Vilhelmiina Niva, Vilma Swahne , Severi Eera Matias Lehto ?? We also had prizes for: Best Oralist: Marie Kolb of the University of Leipzig Best Memo: University of Lapland: Ida Nurmi, Nelli Vilhelmiina Niva, Vilma Swahne, Severi Eera Matias Lehto Thank you to every participant for making this event so special. You all have such exciting futures and the power and potential to use your skills for the good of all sentient life ???? #animalrights #winners #mootcourtcompetition #winnerannouncement

More highlights from Day One of WMILAR @ PRAVOS ?? Participants training hard ahead of the moot court competition, which kicked off last week! #animalrightslaw #worldmoot #animallaw

?? ?? Excited to share that our team from the University of Lapland placed 2nd in the World Moot on International Law and Animal Rights (WMILAR) ! As first-time mooters, this achievement came as a great surprise to us, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that led to this success. Not only did we secure second place, but we were also honored to receive the Best Memorials Award! This recognition is a testament to the commitment we put into our research and the passion we have for advancing international law and animal rights. I want to thank our team coach, Tero Kivinen for the support as well as my dear team members: Vilma Swahne, Severi Lehto and Nelli Niva. Working with you was not only rewarding but more importantly, so much fun! Forever grateful for you for accepting this challenge despite us having only a couple of weeks to prepare before the deadline of the Memorials ???? A huge thank you to the organizers for hosting such a well-run and engaging competition, and to all the participants who made it an intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking experience. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from and engage with so many brilliant minds in the field. Now it's time for a well-deserved (vegetarian) team-dinner at Musta H?rk?. ??

What an amazing few days ???????? The Europe & Central Asia Rounds of the WMILAR finished on Thursday after four days of moot court training, competitions, and inspirational talks. Bringing together legal experts, moot court specialists, and student and teacher participants, WMILAR @ PRAVOS was a special moment for animal rights law, as the world’s first global moot court competition and training courses on animal rights law concluded the last of the first cycle of regional rounds. Highlights included: ?? Spirited mooting from all teams in the Moot Court Competition! The Judges (Prof. Mirela ?upan, Dr. Marina Lostal, Dr. Saba Pipia, Ms. Ankita Shanker, Mr. Chad Osorio) acknowledged the incredible contributions of all participants, notably the originality of their ideas and arguments. ?? An Opening Ceremony, featuring an Opening Address from Mr. Anees Ahmed, titled 'Global Peace through Global Justice: How the Law Can Secure a Better Future for Us All'. ?? A star-studded Closing Ceremony with a panel discussion between Dr. Marina Lostal, Dr. Raffael Fasel, and Dr. Katharina Braun, and an enlightening Closing Address by Prof. Dr. Markus Wild on 'Fundamental Rights for Primates—the Basel Experience'. ?? Practical Training Courses for students and coaches delivered by Dr. Dr. Eduardo Kapapelo, PhD, Dr. Laura Ausserladscheider Jonas, Ms. Shama Abbasi, Ms. Ankita Shanker, and Mr. Chad Osorio. Thank you to everyone involved in making this event so special, from the WMILAR team to our sponsors the Craigslist Charitable Foundation, Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), and The Pollination Project Foundation. And this is just the beginning! The next cycle of the WMILAR will bring even more quality mooting and training. Watch this space ?? Photo credit: Chad Osorio.

On this International Women's Day, I want to reflect on this year's theme: Accelerate Action. Progress in animal rights law - like any movement for justice - requires not just awareness, but concrete legal and policy changes. Women around the world are at the forefront of this push, driving legal innovation and advocating for stronger protections for animals. With that in mind, I am incredibly grateful to share that Josephine G?tze and I were named Regional Champions of Europe and Central Asia at the inaugural World Moot on International Law and Animal Rights (WMILAR). I was also honoured to receive the Best Oralist Award. This competition has been an exciting and challenging journey, further deepening my passion for animal rights law and reinforcing my commitment to advocating for stronger legal protections for animals. Bringing together public international, human rights, and environmental law, the moot highlights the evolving role of animal rights within these frameworks - an area I hope to dedicate my career to. I am deeply thankful to so many people who made this experience possible: - To my teammate, co-agent, and friend, Josephine: thank you for always supporting my endeavours! ?? - To the judges: your insightful feedback has helped me further grow as an advocate. ?????? - To the trainers, panelists, and organizers: your expertise and dedication made this event truly impactful. ?? - To the wonderful people in Osijek: thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality! ?? - To Ankita Shanker, the founder and director of the WMILAR: your vision and commitment to this field are truly inspiring! ? I am excited to see how the legal landscape for animal rights continues to evolve and I look forward to continuing these important discussions in the international rounds this summer! May it please the Court! #law #MootCourt #WMILAR #animalrights #environment #advocacy #WomensDay #justice ??????????

Nasze super-utalentowane podopieczne przechodz? przez pierwszy etap turnieju moot court WMILAR i melduj? si? w pó?finale. WPiA UW reprezentuj? Adrianna Skupień, Izabela Walkiewicz, Marta Pilarska, Oliwia Andrzejewska. Ich ?wietny wyst?p zas?uguje na uznanie. Trzymajcie jutro kciuki! _________ Przypomnijmy, ?e World Moot on International Law and Animal Rights (WMILAR) jest pierwszym i najwi?kszym mi?dzynarodowym turniejem prawniczym moot court z prawa zwierz?t. W panelach bior? udzia? wybitni przedstawiciele ?wiata nauki oraz s?dziowie z ca?ego ?wiata. Turnieje regionalne odbywaj? si? w 8 miejscach na ?wiecie, ich zwyci?zcy rywalizuj? nast?pnie w globalnym turnieju fina?owym.

More highlights from day one of WMILAR @ PRAVOS ?? Participants training hard ahead of the moot court competition, which kicks off today! Pravni fakultet Osijek / Faculty of Law Osijek Global Research Network Think Tank #animalrightslaw #worldmoot #animallaw

?? T-1 hour… Are you ready? Because we sure are! ?????? Don’t miss this exciting event… Join us in-person or online for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the regional finals of WMILAR @ PRAVOS! Pravni fakultet Osijek / Faculty of Law Osijek Global Research Network Think Tank #animallaw #animalrightslaw #mootcourt #law #education