Global Law Brigades at The University of California Irvine
The University of California, Irvine Panama Brigade offers the opportunity for students to apply their education in solving real world problems while enabling underdeveloped communities to achieve their goals.
A team of students of diverse backgrounds will participate in extensive planning and development throughout the academic year on a given project and collaborate with the community to implement their work during trips to the region.
We believe that our brigade will not only enrich the lives of the community members, but those of the students as well by bridging cultures and encouraging global citizenship, and building long-term relationships.
We hope that this endeavor, with the combination of work experience and cultural exchange, will lead to the personal and professional development of all students involved.
What can a Law Brigade Do?
- Local NGO Formulation: By helping communities organize themselves into an NGO, GLB will give them the opportunity to access private and public benefits, like donations or apply for public programs. Also, it will help communities to work as a whole for their objectives--giving them a sense of cooperation and collaboration to get their goals achieved.
- NGO Capacity Fortification : Most communities that already have their local NGO registered don't know what to do with it. By giving them the right steps, tools and guidance on what to do with their entity, we will give these communities the possibility to begin to improve their situation.
- Direct Capital Investment In The Community (Community Investment Fund): As part of the GLB cost, each brigader will contribute $100 towards direct capital investment in the community they volunteer in. This money will be used as the Brigade Team sees fit to provide the best long terms sustainable legal solutions and it is up to the individual Brigade team as to how this money will be allocated.
- Human Resource Capital: Each Brigade will include at least 10-15 students who will engage a community, create an intercultural dialogue, and collaborate to provide the best sustainable solutions possible. Often times, brigaders walk away from these experiences learning much more than taught and gaining a valuable and eye-opening experience.
- Global Brigades Is Not a One Time Hand Out. Often times, if a Brigade believes it is necessary, they can pursue 1-2 follow up brigades to ensure the execution of their sustainable development solutions. Global Brigades staff along with our partner organizations also continue to monitor the success of each brigade to ensure long term sustainability.
Who joins GLB?
Mainly pre-law and law students form Global Law Brigades clubs at their universities.
These clubs organize week-long trips to Panamá, accompanied by advisors and local guides, to participate in legal empowerment projects including
Human rights, indigenous rights, women´s rights, environmental law education, forming local NGOs, local NGO capacitation, land rights education, local business law support, and organic and fair trade certification.
Our programs identify and analyze domestic and international laws beneficial to disadvantaged communities, so we can create positive, proactive solutions.
Our partners in Panama and our team – indicate great potential for the project. Through consistent communication, a developed system of monitoring progress and frequent trips to the region, we aim to ensure the sustainability of the project. The UCI Panama Brigade consists of a group of students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. We bring a variety of perspectives to the project and hope to “adopt” the community, and find diverse future opportunities in the area. We have a strong team of advisors to support our endeavors and ensure the success of the students involved; the community in Panama; and the program as a whole.
