CONFERENCE aGENDA

Due to the continuing and evolving circumstances governed by Covid, speakers and/or content may be subject to change without prior notice. (This version of the agenda will supersede all other versions)

CONFERENCE IN CELEBRATION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UAE CONSTITUTION

(Proposed Conference Schedule)

Day 1 - November 22, 2021

Introduction: 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Keynote Address:

Introduction of Keynote Speaker by Mariët Westermann, Vice Chancellor NYU Abu Dhabi

Keynote Address by HE Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to HH the President, Chancellor of UAEU

Chairs:

2. NYU Abu Dhabi: Prof. John Coughlin, Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law, Inaugural Address

3. Nick Cochrane-Dyet, Chairman of the British Business Group, Abu Dhabi: Welcome Address (tbc)

4. Oxford Commission on Constitutions: Prof Denis Galligan, Oxford University Professor of Law, Emeritus and Dr. Monika Magyar, Director OCC – Brief Introduction of the UAE50 Programme, Inaugural Address, Introducing the Conference Agenda

Session I, The Past: The Historical Record, 12:30 - 3:30 PM

1. The Revd Jonathan Aitken, Former Member of Parliament of Her Majesty’s UK Government: The founding, formation, nation building and historic achievements of the United Arab Emirates 1971-2021: (Perceptions of an eyewitness present since the creation of the UAE)

2. Dr. Frauke Heard-Bey, UAE Historian: "From Tribe to State: The Transformation of Political Structure in five States of the GCC"

3. His Excellency Councillor Ali Al Shaer Al Dhaheri Director of ADJD Judicial Inspection Division: “The Making of The Constitution: the UAE Perspective.”

Day 2--November 23, 2021,

Opening of Day 2, 9:00 AM

Awam Ampka, Dean of Arts and Humanities, NYU Abu Dhabi, Opening of Day 2, Welcome address.

Session II, The Present: The Constitution 1971-2021: Practice and Experience, 9 AM - 12 NOON

1. Faris Nasrallah, Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, Dubai International Arbitration Centre, Researcher Max Plank Institute: “Forging Federalism in the UAE: The Role of the Constitutional Court.”

2. Maheen Pfeffer, Associate General Counsel, NYU Abu Dhabi: “Transformations in the Regulatory and Legislative Framework in the UAE and the Constitution.”

3. Prof Abderrahim El Maslouhi, Professor of Public Law, UAE University: “The Rule of Law, Building an Analytical Approach to Judicial Review in the UAE Constitutional System.”

4. Judge Dr. Musab Salem Al Hosani First Instance Judge at the Abu Dhabi Court for Family and Civil and Administrative Claims. “The living Constitution - relevant meaning beyond the original text and the Constitution as an evolving document that changes over time.”

Session III, The Future: The Constitution for the Future; An International Perspective, 2 - 5 PM

Lord Edward Udny-Lister, Chair of UAE-UK Business Council: Keynote Speech

2. Speaker from the Human Rights Action Plan Unit. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Update on the establishment of the National Human Rights Institute

3. Prof. Yoseph Edrey, Professor of Law, Haifa University, Israel: “Adam Smith's Four Canons of Good Tax as Constitutional Principles.”

4. Prof. John Sexton, President Emeritus of NYU, Butler Professor of Law, NYU Law School: “Constitutionalism: Lessons Learned, the University, and the Next 50 Years.”