In 2017 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Georgetown University Law Center partnered in 2017 to roll out a joint Global Environment and Sustainability Law Fellows Program. The objective is to train public sector lawyers from developing countries working on matters related to environmental law, natural resources law, or associated fields of law. Successful fellows are accorded an Environmental and Energy Law LL.M. Degree from the Law Center. Upon graduation, the fellows gain international environmental legal and policy experience with UNEP’s Law Division for up to three months.
The fellowship gives the lawyers an opportunity to learn and to share their expertise, as well as to transfer the knowledge gained during the fellowship upon return to their respective countries and public sector roles. UNEP, being a co-sponsor in the fellowship programme has so far supported three candidates, from different regions, enhancing their knowledge on international environmental law and policy.
Chifundo Michael Chinyama is from Malawi and was the 2018 UNEP-Georgetown Global Environmental and Sustainability Law fellow. As part of the fellowship, Mr Chinyama was awarded a scholarship to earn a Master’s degree in Environmental and Energy Law at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Chifundo works as an environmental lawyer for the Environmental Affairs Department in Malawi and has a background in civil ligation and legislative drafting. Following completion of his fellowship, Chifundo shared some of his experiences and reflections.
What inspired you to apply for the Georgetown Fellowship Program?
I became a lawyer almost by accident. I was actually a geography teacher in a secondary school, but I felt the need to do something more than just teaching, and so I started this movement called the Youth Empowerment Initiative, where I would motivate my peers, and we would discuss career goals, and how to achieve them. I was basically just trying to motivate people to fulfil their career goals. What I didn’t realize at the time is that I was also motivating myself.
During one of my counselling sessions, I happened to be encouraging a friend to take a course in law, who in turn encouraged me to apply to take the course, which I did. In between my career change, and having a background in geography and education, I grew interested in issues dealing with environmental protection and sciences, and that’s how I ended up working with the Environmental Affairs Department in my country.
I came across the Georgetown Fellowship by chance, and I decided to give it a try. I had applied for several other fellowship programmes but hadn’t succeeded in any of them. After many failed attempts, I reluctantly made an application for the Georgetown Fellowship, and to my surprise, I succeeded. I was very excited to have been selected, since this would give me an opportunity to learn more on policy direction as well as environmental legislation.
How was your experience during the fellowship?
My experience during the entire fellowship was incredible, eye opening. I got to learn more about international environmental policies and litigation, which equipped me with skills to promote environmental advocacy. With the skills and experience that I gained, I hope I’ll be able to open a department in my institution that will pull in more environmental lawyers. Given that we are only two environmental lawyers in my country, this fellowship has given me the chance to spread my wings wider and deeper into the environmental arena.
What were the best and most challenging parts of your fellowship experience?
The most challenging parts of the fellowship were administrative delays in getting both to Washington, D.C. and later to Nairobi. Settling down in a new city is already a daunting experience especially when you add the anxiety of not knowing how you will make ends meet when the stipend is delayed. So, in a nutshell I would say that is was the biggest challenge that I faced.
The best part about the fellowship apart from the studies at Georgetown and the exciting work at UNEP was being able to live in Washington, D.C. and in Nairobi. I loved everything that came with living in an international city from meeting people from all over the world, experiencing a new culture, learning another language, to travelling and making new friends. Both Washington, D.C. and Nairobi had something unique to offer and I enjoyed my stay in both cities.
What did you like most about working with UNEP’s Law Division as a whole?
I have always wanted to work in an international organization so coming to UNEP was the opportunity of a lifetime. I found all the people in the Law Division very friendly and always willing to help.
In terms of work I particularly found the UNEP-OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) consultation insightful. One key take-away I got from the meeting was the importance of supporting and defending environmental rights defenders. I found the dialogue between UNEP and OHCHR useful considering the revised Malawian environmental legislation and the challenges with environmental governance in Malawi.
I also enjoyed working on the Green customs Initiative (GCI). I found the work extremely relevant to the illegal ivory trade that is prevalent in the Southern African region. I think that the various initiatives under this programme will go a long way in combatting illegal trade in environmentally sensitive commodities in the region. Apart from this I also think the working with UNEP allowed me to hone various skills like public speaking, researching, and even drafting.
What do you think could be done better to improve the impact of the fellowship?
I think the impact of the fellowship largely depends on how the fellows utilize or apply their recently acquired skills, qualifications, and experiences in their home countries. Given that this was the second cohort, I think the impact can only be evaluated in the long term.
What experience have you taken from this exercise?
I learnt a lot through this experience. I was able to acquire more knowledge and I was also able to travel and to make new connections with people from different nationalities.
Would you recommend others to join the Georgetown fellowship?
Absolutely. I think the fellowship was a mind opening and enriching experience and I always share the information about the fellowship with others who are interested.
Parting words?
What I have learned from this entire experience is that it is possible to achieve your dreams as long you persevere and not give up.
More information: UNEP-Georgetown Fellowship Programme
