aMBASSADOR
Ambassador's Speech
REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR WAYNE AT “JUSTICE GOES TO SCHOOL” EVENT
October 3, 2007
Good morning. First I want to thank Elena Highton de Nolasco, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; Marcela Losardo, Vice Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Lidia Soto, Vice Chairman of the Association of Judges, and representatives from Asociación Conciencia Virginia Simari, Susana Finger and Amalia Mattio for their combined efforts in putting together this impressive and important event this morning, and for asking me to come and speak to you all. I have been looking forward to this occasion with great anticipation.
I wanted to be with you today because I believe strongly in the value of the “Judges Go to School” program. In fact, the U.S. Embassy has supported the program financially since its launch two years ago, and we are very pleased to be cooperating in this effort with such prestigious institutions as the Association of Judges and Judicial Officials of the National Judiciary and Conciencia.
I believe that helping young people learn more about how the justice system works in Argentina is one of the most important things we can do. As Aristotle noted centuries ago, “It is in justice that the ordering of society is centered.” Knowing the law and your rights under the law are important steps in ensuring that the justice system in Argentina, in the US, or in any country, produces real justice.
The Judges Go to School and Mock Trial programs offer our student judges, prosecutors and defenders here today an innovative and exciting way to learn about how the legal system really works. Maybe some of you will be so inspired by this mock trial program that you will at some point in the future, occupy the role you are playing today. Whether or not that is the career path you choose, I applaud your participation and interest in being part of that “informed citizenry” which is the life blood of a healthy democracy.
I am pleased to be here with you as you undertake this program, and I encourage you to take what you learn and keep it close to you day by day. The knowledge you gain from this experience today will give you direction and courage as you face the challenges of becoming tomorrow´s future leaders of Argentina. Thank you all, very much.