UoN Faculty of Law to strengthen ties with Norway

On March 21, 2025, the Faculty of Law hosted a delegation from the Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi for a pivotal meeting with the Women, Children, and Nature’s Rights in Environmental Governance (WCNREG) team. This engagement reaffirmed the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions, focusing on human rights, legal education, environmental governance, and the crucial role of academia in shaping sustainable policies.

Dr. Jackson Bett, the Associate Dean, representing the Dean, Prof. Winfred Kamanu, expressed the Faculty’s commitment to strengthening this collaboration. He provided an overview of the Faculty of Law, its history, and its role in shaping legal education in Kenya and beyond. He emphasized the institution’s legacy as the oldest and largest law school in Kenya, producing top legal professionals who have gone on to serve in high-ranking positions across government, judiciary, and international organizations. Dr. Bett highlighted the Faculty’s areas of specialization, including environmental law, human rights, democracy, governance, and commercial law. He also elaborated on the Faculty’s research centers, such as the Center for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP) and the Maritime Law Research Unit, which actively contribute to legal scholarship and policy development. In his remarks, Dr. Bett reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to fostering international collaborations and providing an enabling environment for research and innovation in legal education.

Professor Anne Hellum from the University of Oslo (UiO) provided an in-depth historical overview of the cooperation between UiO and the University of Nairobi (UoN), tracing it back nearly four decades. She emphasized how the collaboration had evolved, from early initiatives in women’s law and human rights education to the robust programs currently being implemented under the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) framework. She highlighted the critical role played by key figures such as Professor Kameri Mbote in building the Regional Women's Law Center and the joint research program funded by the Norwegian Research Council on the human right to water.Professor Hellum stressed on the importance of mainstreaming equality and human rights into obligatory law curricula, noting that NORHED I had been instrumental in integrating these aspects into legal education. She expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Women, Children, and Nature’s Rights in Environmental Governance (WCNREG) program, which continues to advance evidence-based policies, engage stakeholders, and build capacity for human rights advocacy.

The Norwegian Embassy’s perspective was articulated by Mr. Geir Arne Schei, who presented Norway’s policy framework for human rights in development cooperation. He emphasized that human rights remained at the core of Norway’s foreign policy and development agenda. He acknowledged the deep historical ties between Norway and Kenya, dating back to Kenya’s independence, and reiterated Norway’s commitment to fostering partnerships that emphasize equality, justice, and sustainable development. He also highlighted Norway’s Africa strategy, which seeks to strengthen higher education collaborations, promote youth engagement, and enhance diplomatic relations. Mr. Geir further elaborated on Norway’s role in promoting governance and human rights, particularly within the framework of Kenya’s progressive constitution. He noted that Norway has historically supported Kenya’s constitutional reforms and democracy-building efforts through grants to civil society organizations and legal aid programs. He highlighted the need to ensure continued engagement in legal education to maintain Kenya’s leadership in constitutional discourse and human rights implementation. Additionally, he acknowledged the significance of Nairobi as the UN headquarters for environmental matters and reaffirmed Norway’s interest in expanding collaboration in climate governance, blue economy development, and legal frameworks for environmental protection.

The University of Nairobi and the Norwegian Embassy explored the possibility of increased student exchanges, joint research programs, and structured annual strategic meetings. There was a proposal for an open day dedicated to NORHED alumni, an initiative to enhance engagement and knowledge-sharing. Additionally, discussions were held on the importance of Norwegian students participating in University of Nairobi programs, either virtually or through physical exchanges.

Legal aid and access to justice were prominent themes; A proposal was tabled for a collaborative legal aid day, in which the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Health Sciences would jointly provide medical and legal assistance to marginalized communities. This initiative was seen as a step towards making justice and healthcare more accessible, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Dr. Evelyne Asala contributed insights into ongoing academic exchange programs, highlighting UoN’s partnerships with institutions like the Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, and discussing student mobility and knowledge-sharing platforms. Maritime law and blue economy governance were also addressed, with emphasis on legal frameworks to combat corruption and promote sustainability in coastal Kenya.

The WCNREG program, a major focal point of the meeting, takes a multidisciplinary approach to environmental governance, incorporating perspectives on gender, children’s rights, and sustainability. It has a strong academic foundation, with an active cohort of Master’s and PhD students conducting research that inform policy and practice. The program's ecofeminist African approach seeks to expand human rights education beyond the University of Nairobi, with the potential for enhanced collaboration extensively explored.

The discussions concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation. The Norwegian Embassy expressed its dedication to facilitating deeper engagement with UoN, particularly in environmental law, human rights, and governance. Participants emphasized the need for continuous dialogue and the implementation of key action points. As both institutions look forward, this partnership remains vital for advancing legal education, policy development, and human rights advocacy in the region.