Washburn University Signs Cooperation Agreement with the Supreme Court of Paraguay

Washburn University is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement of cooperation with the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Paraguay at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 9, 1999 in the Robinson Courtroom at the Washburn University School of Law.

The cooperation agreement provides a framework for the realization of mutually agreed upon activities involving the Washburn University School of Law and the Division of Research, Legislation, and Publications of the Paraguayan Supreme Court's International Center of Judicial Studies. Such activities may include 1) communication and consultation, 2) exchange of publications, materials, and information in various formats, 3) exchange of professors, students, researchers, practitioners, and scholars affiliated with the activities of the two institutions, 4) joint research activities and publications, 5) participation in, and sponsorship, of seminars, academic and professional meetings, and training programs, and 6) other appropriate programs and activities.

Representing Washburn University at the signing ceremony were President Jerry Farley; James Concannon, Dean of the School of Law; and Russell Smith, Director of the MBA Program. Representing the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Paraguay were Minister Elixeno Ayala of the Supreme Court of Justice; Dr. Juan Esteban Aguirre, Ambassador of Paraguay to the United States (to be confirmed); and Dr. Mario Ramos Reyes, Consul General of Paraguay in Kansas.

The present agreement is the result of lengthy consultations among Dean Concannon, Russell Smith, Consul General Ramos Reyes, Minister Ayala, and other officials of both institutions since May of this year, including trips by Smith and Ramos Reyes to Paraguay last summer. The preamble of the document that will be signed on December 9 states that the signatories have entered into the agreement because of their "mutual commitment to international understanding, to democracy, and to the role of law in the promotion of liberty, justice, and social and economic development."

In a recent letter, Dr. Juan Esteban Aguirre, Paraguayan Ambassador to the United States has written: "The agreement most certainly addresses vital issues for the development of Paraguay. A sound, rational administration of justice is essential to democracy; to the rule of law; to political stability; to investment promotion; to prevent corruption; to fight narcotraffic; to protect intellectual property rights; and to protect private owners and, above all, human rights. An effective judiciary can create the right climate and the right context for growth. In these terms, please accept my appreciation and my government's for your assistance and cooperation."

The Republic of Paraguay and the State of Kansas have been partners in the Partners of the Americas program since 1968. Located between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia in South America, Paraguay has an area of 406,750 square kilometers and a population of 4,643,000. Its capital city is Asuncion. Over thirty years of dictatorial rule by a single president was ended by coup d'etat in 1989. Open elections followed and a new, democratic constitution was adopted in 1992. As a result of the new historical context, the Government of Paraguay, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently opened a Consulate General in the State of Kansas expressing its concrete support for the already longstanding cooperation and commitment of people from Kansas and Paraguay.

As citizens of a democracy in transition, Paraguayans face numerous challenges in implementing their new democracy. Washburn University and the Washburn University School of Law are honored to be invited to be partners in this process.

For Further Information, contact:
Russell Smith at (785) 23 1 -1010, ext. 1307, or
Dean James Concannon, Washburn University School of Law, at (785) 23 1 -1010, ext. 1662