The South Africa Human Rights Clinic: Lessons and Insights Beth Goldblatt Visiting Fellow, Australian Human Rights Centre, UNSW

Course Description Five week internship at human rights and public interest NGOs in Johannesburg Preparation and supervision by lecturer 6 students selected for 5 organisations Students accompanied and oriented Based in university accommodation

Objectives To provide services to NGOs Experiential learning – law in practice International comparative experience Commitment to human rights and public interest law Personal growth and development

Assessment Participation in preparatory workshop (10%) Clinic Performance (70%) Memorandum (10%) Presentations (10%)

Film evening Workshop Reading Logistics Orientation,history,context PREPARATION

Concurrent Supervision Placement Supervision Face-to-face/ /skype contact Reflective journals

Variety of work experience Public interest clients Indigent clients Complex public interest litigation Regional and international work Conceptual work Strategic evaluation Forms of research and writing

Inner City Property and Heritage Case The Franklin & Jazz Spirit (Pty) Ltd v Limbada & Others

Marikana Mine Shooting Enquiry

ProBono remote clinics

Eviction Main Street

Substantial responsibilities Informed interest in different areas of law Informed choice of future work in law Improved confidence and skills Excitement/despair about using law for change Student reflections

Partner evaluations Generally very positive High standard of student competence, work habits, ethics and commitment Real assistance/value to partners Want to repeat the clinic Longer would be better (some)

Challenges/Insights Value to partners/edu-tourism? Risk/security/logistics Preparation Value of the group experience Value of different partners Other assessment options: newsletter article/blog/clinic output - academic? Communication with partners (expectations, supervision)

THANKS QUESTIONS?