UBC Reports | Vol. 47 | No. 18 | November 15, 2001

War crimes prosecutor receives degree Nov. 22

Rwanda, Yugoslavia proving grounds for justice

One of Canada's leading jurists and international law experts will be awarded an honorary degree during Fall Congregation Nov. 22.

Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour earned international recognition in 1996 when she was appointed by the United Nations Security Council to serve as prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

"Even at her relatively young age, she has a record of accomplishment and dedication to Canadian and international law that is second to none," says Law Dean Joost Blom.

More than 2,560 students will receive their degrees during Fall Congregation Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. Degrees will be awarded in eight ceremonies at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

Born and educated in Montreal, Arbour was called to the Quebec bar in 1971 and served as a faculty member and associate dean of York University's Osgoode Hall Law School.

While there, she also served as vice-president of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

Arbour was appointed judge of the Ontario High Court of Justice in 1987 and also served on the Ontario Court of Appeal. She was elected to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1999.

See also

Stellar student in the swim of things

A PhD in breakthroughs

The schedule of ceremonies for the Fall Congregation can be found on the UBC Ceremonies & Events Web site at http://www.external-affairs.ubc.ca/ceremonies/.