10 December 1981

United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law

The General Assembly,

Noting with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law and the recommendations made to the Secretary-General by the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, which are contained in that report,

Considering that international law should occupy an appropriate place in the teaching of legal disciplines at all universities, Noting with appreciation the efforts made by States at the bilateral level to provide assistance in the teaching and study of international law,

Convinced, nevertheless, that States, international organizations and institutions should be encouraged to give further support to the Programme and to increase their activities to promote the teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law, in particular those activities which are of special benefit to persons from developing countries,

Recalling that, in the conduct of the Programme, it is desirable to use as far as possible the resources and facilities made available by Member States, international organizations and others,

1. Authorizes the Secretary-General to carry out in 1982 and 1983 the activities specified in his report, including the provision of:

(a) A minimum of 15 fellowships each in 1982 and 1983, at the request of Governments of developing countries;

(b) A minimum of one scholarship each in 1982 and 1983 under the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship, to be financed by the voluntary contributions specifically made for the fellowship as a result of the requests set out in paragraphs 9 and 10 below;

(c) Assistance in the form of a travel grant for one participant from each developing country who will be invited to the regional courses to be organized in 1982 and 1983, and to finance the above activities from provisions in the regular budget and also voluntary financial contributions which would be received as a result of the requests set out in paragraphs 9 and 10 below;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his constructive efforts to promote training and assistance in international law within the framework of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law in 1980 and 1981;

3. Expresses its appreciation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for its participation in the Programme, in particular for the efforts made to support the teaching of international law;

4. Expresses its appreciation to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research for its participation in the Programme, particularly in the organization of regional meetings and in the conduct of the fellowship programme in international law sponsored jointly by the United Nations and the Institute;

5. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Egypt for providing host facilities for the regional training and refresher courses held at Cairo in 1981;

6. Expresses its appreciation to the Hague Academy of International Law for its valuable contributions to the Programme by enabling international law fellows under the sponsorship of the United Nations and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to attend its annual international law courses, providing facilities for seminars organized by the Institute in conjunction with the Academy courses;

7. Notes with appreciation the contributions made by the Hague Academy of International Law to the teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law and calls upon Member States and interested organizations to give favourable consideration to the appeal of the Academy for adequate assistance to solve its financial problems;

8. Urges all Governments to encourage the inclusion of courses on international law in the programmes of legal studies offered at institutions of higher learning;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to publicize the Programme and to invite periodically Member States, universities, philanthropic foundations and other interested national and international institutions and organizations, as well as individuals, to make voluntary contributions towards the financing of the Programme or otherwise assisting in its implementation and possible expansion;

10. Reiterates its request to Member States and to interested organizations and individuals to make voluntary contributions towards the financing of the Programme and expresses its appreciation to those Member States which have made voluntary contributions for this purpose;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session on the implementation of the Programme during 1982 and 1983 and, following consultations with the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, to submit recommendations regarding the execution of the Programme in subsequent years;

12. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-eighth session the item entitled "United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law".