Practicing Reflexivity in International Law: Running a Never-Ending Race to Catch Up with the Western International Lawyers

Abstract

For a long time, the discussions on the diversity of international legal academia and practice have not been properly addressed by various actors of the field. Protagonists from the Global South were not even considered as relevant issue-setters of international law. However, the situation is gradually changing. More and more academics, practitioners, students both from the Global South and Global North raise their voices to address these pressing issues of discrimination, sexism, and racism that we currently observe in the international legal sphere. This paper offers a short glimpse at some of these challenges and draws arguments and conclusions on the author’s experiences. It points at the existing problems of the diversity of international legal institutions, representation in international legal academia, and publishing practices. This essay offers how international lawyers can help each other to overcome existing inequalities and create a better environment for future generations of international lawyers.

Keywords: international legal academia and practice, universality of international law, Global South, reflexivity, gender inequalities, racism, decolonization of syllabus