International Law Librarians Congregate in Toronto

Last night was the kick-off of the 2012 annual International Association of Libraries meeting at the Law Society of Upper Canada in Toronto. About 120 prominent law librarians from around the world–primarily from academic, legislative and court house libraries–have arrived in Toronto and are enjoying the first day of programming.

The theme of this year’s program is “Canada: The Cultural Mosaic and International Law.” So far we have been welcomed by Ms. Deborah Deller, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Dean Lorne Sossin of Osgoode Hall Law School, and The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada (via video).

Today thus far we listened to Prof. Ayelet Schachar from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto explain why multiculturalism distinguishes Canada from all other countries (given that 50% of our citizens were born in other countries), Prof. Faisal Bhabha of Osgoode Hall Law School discussing the Canadian approach to international human rights, and Prof. Kent McNeil of Osgoode Hall Law School and Prof. Douglas Sanderson of the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto on Canadian Aboriginal law.

IALL 2012 is being jointly hosted by the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.

To follow via Twitter, tweets have been tagged #IALL2012.