MARCO VENTORUZZO IS WORKING AS A VOLUNTEER DESIGNING A TRAINING COURSE FOR THE RWANDA SUPREME COURT AND COMMERCIAL COURT

Instead of making a donation, Marco Ventoruzzo, part of the Department of Legal Studies, chose to make his expertise available in order to support educational and training objectives in developing countries. The Bocconi faculty member has designed and coordinated a course in Rwanda, free of charge, which he will also teach, to develop proficiency in commercial law amongst members of the Supreme Court and the Commercial Court.

“I wanted to do a pro bono experience, making my expertise available in a country where it’s more difficult to gain access to legal education,” explains Ventoruzzo.“In Africa in general, international commerce is growing at bullish rates, but there are gaps to fill in the subject of law. Participating in this modernization is very exciting and it’s also important for the development of these populations.”

Some of Ventoruzzo’s American colleagues (he also teaches at Penn State University) put him in touch with the African Centre for Legal Excellence (ACLE), the African chapter of the International Law Institute, which develops professional education and training projects. ACLE proposed various project options to the professor and he chose the project in Rwanda, taking on the role of team leader.

“The importance of the client, the Supreme Court, and the objective of training judges to deal with disputes involving issues such as foreign investment, international licenses and contracts or technology transfers, makes this a very interesting project,” says Ventoruzzo. “The work to be carried out is very incisive, given that legislation in Rwanda has not been updated to face certain topics and the procedure for international contracts is very limited. Law reform moves from the historical foundation based on civil law and there is a tendency to shift towards common law, which is more widespread in international commerce. My background in both areas is helpful.”

After a series of meetings in Kigali with the stakeholders of the project, including the Ministry of Justice, the President of the Supreme Court, judges and the bar association, the course content and teaching methods were determined. The course began at the end of May and lasts 3 months. With a mix of in-class lectures and online modules, it focuses on international commercial law, other specific sectors such as companies law and financial regulation and new aspects of law such as intellectual property. Ventoruzzo himself will hold several of the courses in Kigali and has engaged several colleagues from Bocconi in the initiative, including Mariateresa Maggiolino.