The Two Day Multidisciplinary Congress on Political Science and Global Governance organized by Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab came to an end today. Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar, Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court delivered the Valedictory address. Professor B.S. Chimni, Chairperson Centre for International Legal Studies, JNU was the Guest of Honour. Professor (Dr.) Paramjit S. Jaswal, Vice-Chancellor, RGNUL introduced the distinguished guests and welcomed them to the Valedictory.Ms. Shveta Dhaliwal, Assistant Professor of Political Science, RGNUL and Conference Coordinator read out the report on the Congress. The Congress was divided into four technical sessions. It was inaugurated by Honb’le Mr. Justice S.S. Nijjar, Judge Supreme Court of India and Visitor RGNUL. A the Souvenir, containing the abstracts of the papers presented in the Congress was released. After Presidential Address Justice Nijjar released the Book Human Rights Advocacy: Global Approaches Local Experiences. Twenty seven papers were presented in session-I. Session-II was divided into three parallel sessions. 60 papers were presented in these sessions. Technical Session-III and IV commenced on 27th March, 34 papers were presented in the sessions.
Professor B.S. Chimni, Chairperson Centre of International Legal Studies, JNU was the Guest of Honour. Prof. Chimni said that he was deeply impressed by all the presentations. All the pertinent issues were raised. Concept and methodology of Global Governance need to be reviewed. Nation state is fast losing its bite in terms of analyzing social phenomenon including law, justice – these can no longer be analysed within the framework of nation state. If you look at the ambit of WTO – it regulates the core aspects of trade and agriculture, IPR (technology policy) trade and services, trade and environment, area of dumping. Sovereign economic policy reminds of these domains. Some of the Sovereign powers of nation state have been given to international institutions. It is important to understand international interventions being made into nation states. In some ways we have undermined participative democracy. We need today to talk about global democracy.
Likewise is the situation with concepts like justice. A landmark publication on Justice – The Theory of Justice – talked about justice within the framework of nation state. Four decades later no work talks of justice only within the frame work of nation state.
Such has been the impact of international institutions on the nations states. I urge you to take this rejection of nationalist justice seriously. Indian Legal System is being restructured through global forces. To conclude he urged the law students to please take issues relating to Global Governance seriously at methodological level. Nation state does not allow us to respond to the problems of the people of the country.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar in his Presidential Address narrated the journey of RGNUL right from its inception in 2006. He appreciated and lauded the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar and described them as formidable team. WTO and other global institutions do not take into account the plight of common man. Modern ideas are acceptable but not at the cost of common man. 35% of population which lives below B.P.L. – is it such a tall order to ensure food for them. Why globalization has failed them? Have we forgotten the goals set in the constitution? Impact of globalization is such that we may never be able to shake off the regulations forced on us by international institutions. I request the scholars to find ways and means to restore the smile on the faces of common people we have to solve problems keeping in view the problems of the last man in the queue.
The resource persons Professor B.S. Chimni, Chairperson, Centre for International Legal Studies, JNU, Professor Harmeet Singh, JNU, Professor (Dr.) Surinder Shukla, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Professor Kathleen Mahoney, Canada were all presented with Mementoes as token of appreciation.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Professor (Dr.) G.I.S. Sandhu, Registrar, RGNUL.