Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony Between the Ministry of Justice of Lao PDR, Represented by the Department of International Cooperation, and BABSEACLE Laos

On the morning of 23rd September 2024 at Crown Plaza Hotel, the MOU signing ceremony was held between the Ministry of Justice, represented by Department of International Cooperation, and BABSEACLE Laos. This was done under the project entitled Developing and Strengthening Clinical Legal Education (CLE) Programs and strengthening legal services for communities at National Institute of Justice and 3 campuses support under United States of America International Development Agency (USAID) with the honor of being chaired by Mr. Ketkana Phommachan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, together with Mr. Michael McCord, representative of the USAID, as co-chairs.

The MOU was signed by Mr Khamphone Sipasert Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Justice, and Ms. Pavina Thephithuck BABSEACLE LAOS Coordinator (FLPCLE Alumni). The signing had the honor to be attended by representative 4 target province of Provincial Administrative office, Department of foreigner affairs and Provincial of Justice, Related department from Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Foreigner Affair, Ministry of Education and Sport, Faculty of Law and Political science, Lao bar association as well as Development Partners from the international organizations (NGO) such as TAF, USAID, CEGGA, UNDP, Luxdev. The purpose of the MOU and initiative is to further develop and strengthen law teachers, students, and the legal education systems through Clinical Legal Education (CLE), including strengthening the skills of professors in teaching by involving students and doing practical work along with theoretical learning to become lawyers or legal practitioners who possess knowledge, skills, professional ethics, and legal spirit (pro bono). This is done as a means to promote access to justice and rule of law in Laos, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.