McGill Institute of Air and Space Law

🌠 Exciting Opportunity: Erin & John Collins Arsenault Space Fellowships 🚀 Join the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law and the McGill University – Faculty of Law with our prestigious fellowships: Erin & John Collins Arsenault Doctoral Fellowship: $9,500CAD for the DCL program (1 to be awarded). Erin & John Collins Arsenault LLM Fellowship: Full LLM (Thesis) tuition covered (2 to be awarded). 🌌 Theme: Sustainable Space Governance Explore environmental, political, and financial stability in space activities while promoting cooperation and democratization. 📄 Eligibility and Application Process: Submit a 1-page statement, research proposal, and CV to the IASL by the application deadline. McGill Faculty of Law Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (all documents except for the research proposal must be uploaded by this date) McGill Faculty of Law Research Proposal Deadline: 20 December 2024 Fellowship Application Deadline: 20 December 2024 Don't miss this chance to shape the future of space governance and cooperation! 🛰️ More information attached. hashtag #SpaceFellowships #SustainableGovernance #spacelaw

Join us for a virtual Public Lecture/Graduation Ceremony of the McGill-ASLI Course on International Space Law and Governance, a joint course organised by the African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI) and McGill Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University, Canada. The participants (from Ghana, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, Uganda, and Zimbabwe), participated in a 6-week course, aimed at providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks and governance structures governing global space activities. Participants also examined the role of international law in the regulation of outer space activities as well as the legal principles, policies, and practices that shape the development, regulation, and utilisation of space resources and technologies. We thank all our facilitators including: Andrea Harrington, Upasana Dasgupta, Tare Brisibe, PhD, Gilles Doucet, Adrian Tiplady, Prof Peter Nesgos, Julia Selman Ayetey, Joan Chesoni and Etim Offiong. The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Ram Jakhu (Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus, McGill Institute of Air and Space Law). To participate in the lecture, please register here: https://lnkd.in/e3SfwenB

Executive Director Stefan-Michael Wedenig represented the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law at the UN Conference on Space Law and Policy hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in Vienna. In particular, he joined the working group on authrozation and continuous supervision of space activities. The three-day event brought together governments, industry as well as academia and fostered collaboration between key stakeholders shaping the future of space governance. Managing Editor of the Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Uses of Outer Space (MILAMOS) and IASL alum, David Kuan-Wei Chen also participated and moderated the working group on operational safety and environmental impact. #spacelaw #un #unoosa

From Childhood Dreams to the Frontiers of Space Law! 🚀 As a child, I was always fascinated by space – the mysteries of the stars, planets, and the endless possibilities that the universe holds. Fast forward to today, and I had the incredible opportunity to attend the EALS-MCGILL Masterclass on International Space Law and Policy – a dream come full circle! This transformative program, facilitated by Prof. Andrea Harrington of McGill University and Arnold Agaba, Chair of the McGill Research Group on Air and Space Law in Africa, and hosted by Justice (Retd.) Dr Fauz Twaib (East African Law Society Chairperson) and Faith Odhiambo (President of the Law Society of Kenya), opened my eyes to the legal landscape that governs space activities. The masterclass was designed to bridge the knowledge gap in space law, especially for African legal professionals, and provided valuable insights into areas like:  1️⃣ International Treaties & Governance – Insight into the Outer Space Treaty and global efforts to maintain peace and order in space.  2️⃣ Commercial Space Activities – Licensing, liability, and regulatory considerations for private companies in space.  3️⃣ Earth Observation, Military Applications & International Cooperation – Unpacking the legal frameworks surrounding Earth observation, remote sensing, and military uses of space, along with international cooperation and mutual assistance for peaceful space exploration. 4️⃣Financing, Security Interests & Dispute Resolution – Addressing the unique challenges in financing space activities, registering security interests in spacecraft, dispute resolution, and the impact of emerging technologies on space governance. Africa is positioning itself as a critical player in the space sector, and I’m inspired by Kenya’s commitment to establishing a regulatory framework through the Kenya Space Bill. This initiative will place Kenya at the forefront of space governance in Africa, contributing to a global dialogue on responsible space exploration. Attending this masterclass was not just educational – it was personal, bringing my childhood fascination into a real-world context. I’m grateful to have shared this experience with leading minds in space law.  #EALSMasterclass #SpaceLaw #KenyaSpaceBill #AfricaInSpace #LegalFrameworks #FutureOfSpace 

Last month, Straife senior advisor Michael P. Murphy, KM, in his role as Ambassador for the Sovereign Order of Malta, gave a keynote address at the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law's inaugural Air Law Workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, on the importance of “One African Sky.” He explained why the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is crucial for Africa's economic development in his speech. He stated, "First and foremost, it addresses one of the significant barriers to trade and investment within Africa: limited air connectivity. Currently, many African countries are not only geographically isolated but are also hindered by restrictive air service agreements that stifle competition and inflate costs. By removing these barriers, the SAATM allows for more competitive pricing and improved services, making air travel more accessible..." He also noted that "for the SAATM to reach its full potential, we must confront and overcome certain challenges. Issues such as regulatory harmonization, safety standards, and infrastructure development need our immediate attention. We must work collaboratively to build the necessary frameworks that ensure the safety and efficiency of our air transport system. This requires commitment from both governments and the private sector to invest in infrastructure and innovation." Collaboration and commitment are core values at Straife. We applaud Ambassador Murphy's dedication to these and the African Union.

The McGill Institute of Air and Space Law was delighted to participate in an expert roundtable on "Higher Airspace Operations: Present and Future from the Legal Point of View," co-hosted with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to ICAO at The Saint James's Club of Montreal. The roundtable served to foster dynamic exchanges on establishing harmonized international guidelines for higher airspace operations, exploring the intersection of air and space law in this emerging field. The session featured presentations from Jack Wright Nelson, Editor of the Annals of Air and Space Law, and Yuri Fattah, Program Manager at the International Civil Aviation Organization's Air Navigation Bureau, followed by insightful discussion with Professor Vincent Correia (Co-Director, McGill Institute of Air and Space Law) and Michael G. (Director, Legal Affairs & External Relations Bureau, International Civil Aviation Organization). The roundtable was expertly moderated by Professor Jae Woon Lee (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), a graduate of the Institute. We were honored by the participation of Ambassador Dr. Jae Wan Lee and representatives from the Korean Mission including Mr. Sang Heon Lee, Ms. Mijoo Hyun, and Mr. Jiyeol Paek. 

Please join us if you are interested in potentially studying Air and Space Law with us. **The application deadline has been extended until 15 December 2024.**

For anyone who is considering an LLM, doctorate, or graduate certificate in Air and Space Law, please feel free to join our upcoming information session this Friday! You will have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. I hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/eVH8BYi9

Congratulations to our student Lydia Johansson for winning the 2024 International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA) scholarship! We are proud of the accomplishments of our bright students.