DIILS conducted Legal Aspects of Peacekeeping seminar with Beninese Armed Forces in July 2007.  The Beninese Armed forces have significant peacekeeping experience and the seminar was a truly collaborative experience for the DIILS team to have the input of their experience to enhance seminars.

Benin's democratic standing, stability, and positive role in international peacekeeping have helped Benin's international stature continue to grow. In 2004 Benin was elected to serve on the UN Security Council for a term of two years further impacting Benin's role in Peacekeeping Operations.

DIILS recently conducted its first seminar in Guinea Bissau. The seminar was the result of a July 2007 assessment by members of the DIILS staff meeting with civilian and military officials. The program entitled "Legal Issues in the Development of a Professional Military", was presented for members of the military, as well as civilian officials from the Defense and Justice Ministries. The program focused on themes related to Rule of Law, Role of the Military in a Democracy, Civil/Military Jurisdiction, Military Justice, Domestic Operations, Crime and Corruption.

For more photographs of the seminar see the url below and select the title under the photograph for a full view and caption: http://www.diils.org/file_gallery/5/759

In June 2007 DIILS international operations officers CPT Nagesh Chelluri (US Army) and LT Derek Mills (USN) hosted 3 Togolese Judges and their interpeter in Washington DC for a week of orientation on US Tort claims laws. The delegation met with representative of the US Army Claims Service (USARCS), The US Army Litigation Division (Lit Div), and the Department of Justice Tort Claims Division (DoJ) and gained an appreciation for the interaction between Lit Div, USARCS and DoJ in handling claims against the US government by American citizens. A highlight of the visit was a meeting with DoJ summer interns and law students.  The judges enjoyed interacting with the students and answering their questions about the Togolese legal system.

For more photographs of the seminar see the url below and select the title under the photograph for a full view and caption: http://www.diils.org/file_gallery/5/710

DIILS continues its long relationship with Czech Republic with this seminar. Czech Republic and DIILS have enjoyed a close relationship since 1995. DIILS has had 24 events with Czech Republic, including seminars on Military Justice, Police Operations, the Legal Aspects of Multinational Operations and most recently in August of 2006, the Legal Aspects of Peace Support Operations. The August 2006 MET was so well received that DIILS was requested to provide the same MET again this year to an entirely new audience.  Similarly to last year’s MET, numerous classes were once again be taught by the Czech Officers and members of the Ministry of Defense (MOD). However, unlike last year where the majority of the classes were taught in English, it was decided that this year’s MET would be taught completely in English. The MOD liaison, Mr Jakub Cimoradský played a significant role through his lectures and specific knowledge of the host countries interests and deployments.

For more photographs of the seminar see the url below and select the title under the photograph for a full view and caption: http://www.diils.org/file_gallery/5/725

From 21 through 24 May 2007, DIILS conducted a seminar on Peacekeeping for Decision Makers for members of the Zambian Army, Air Force, National Service, and National Police. An experienced audience of Zambian participants took part, with over half of the participants having deployed in at least one UN or AU mission abroad, and the remainder either serving in instructor billets or senior advisory positions at the MoD or National Police. The DIILS program emphasized the vital concerns required for a nation to participate in peacekeeping, including Doctrine, Law of Armed Conflict, Leadership, and National Policy.