IILA is a unique non-profit international law advisory and training organization, working for global fairness through global law. Founded in 2017, IILA emerged from its founder’s many years working on international law within the United Nations, international courts and civil society organizations. Collaborating across the globe with international lawyers working for small and developing States, these experiences highlighted that the making and applying of international law is a deeply unfair process. Many States are simply not able to fully engage with international law due to a lack of resources and expertise. Not all voices are heard and not all needs are taken into account.

 

Download IILA’s Case for Support 2020
and Services Guide below to learn more:

 
 

Harnessing the Power of International Law

In Island nations from the Caribbean to the Pacific, communities struggle to plan for the effects of climate change that threaten their very existence. Peoples across sub-Saharan Africa battle against poverty, fighting to attract investment for development that does not exploit them or their environment. Global laws to promote and protect human rights remain unimplemented due to a sheer lack of resources and expertise.

International law is an invaluable tool in our collective quest for long-term, sustainable and fair solutions to global problems. It is at the heart of protecting the environment, enforcing human rights, preventing conflict and ensuring sustainable development through fair trade and investment. It holds the potential to directly improve the lives of millions around the world.

A fair, just, and peaceful world requires a fair and just global system of laws and institutions, one that respects and defends the basic equality of all human beings. Our own good fortune lies so much in the benefits of international law. It is our responsibility to ensure that the same opportunities are available to all peoples.

In-House Counsel for Small and Developing States 

IILA works to enable more effective and fair participation of small and developing States in the creation and application of international law. Raising the voices of disadvantaged States enhances the power of international law to advance just solutions to pressing global challenges. The making and applying of international law is a deeply unfair process. Many States are simply not able to fully engage with international law due to a lack of resources and expertise. Not all voices are heard and not all needs are taken into account. 

IILA works to increase the capacity of small and developing States to utilize international law. IILA’s goal is to assist these States to participate more actively and effectively in international decisions that affect their lives and futures. In helping to promote greater inclusivity, IILA contributes to more equitable and sustainable solutions to global issues.

IILA’s approach is the innovative and unique model of serving as “in-house counsel”, working in partnership alongside disadvantaged States’ international law teams to provide on-going, impartial legal support and training. IILA does not replace the local international law advisers but partners with them for long-term collaboration. IILA’s approach enhances our State partners’ ability to play a more active and engaged role in the international community; to negotiate with greater confidence; to build the capability of their legal departments; and to begin to create positive changes in the international law regime in line with long term sustainable just and fair solutions.

IILA’s Philosophy

IILA is an independent and impartial organization, and only works with States committed to the rule of law, human rights and democracy. While IILA partners directly with the public international law advisers of small and developing States, it is the citizens of our partner States that IILA serves by ensuring their needs shape the creation and application of international law. We do not speak for our Partners, but stand with them in addressing their international law challenges. It is by supporting State partners that IILA helps turn international law into an effective and robust tool for securing just and fair sustainable solutions to today’s global problems.