About us

Poor and rural communities within Panama can often lack essential legal resources thus leaving citizens in rural areas unaware of their legal rights and forcing those that have means to travel long distances to reach this information. HOWEVER  there are several efforts happening right now to change this. Find out how to start a Law Brigade by contacting Michelle@globalbrigades.org and you can begin changing this.

 

What is Global Law Brigades (GLB)?

A Law Brigade consists of pre-law and law students who collaborate with local legal professionals to work with developing communities on their legal necessities and ellaborate projects to implement legal empowerment strategies. Law Brigades are one-week experiences abroad that include hands-on work alongside community members to help them approach their legal issues and give them solutions. Law Brigades currently operate in Panama with projects that complement Business, Environmental and Architecture Brigades to alleviate poverty and foster human rights and community development.

 

Law Brigades programs create first-hand opportunities for youth and civil society to understand domestic and international legal issues in developing regions including international humanitarian law; business licensing; community organization through local NGO's; micro-enterprise laws; and environmental and human rights concerns.  We empower college students and law students to build relationships with established local and international legal, humanitarian, environmental and development organizations, and provide opportunities to work together with communities served by these organizations.

 

What can a Law Brigade Do?

 This could be the first two types of projects on this section.
 

1. Local NGO Formulation : By helping communities organize themselves into an NGO, GLB will give them the opportunity to access private and public benefits, like donations or apply for public programs. Also, it will help communities to work as a whole for their objectives--giving them a sense of cooperation and collaboration to get their goals achieved.
2. NGO Capacity Fortification  : Most communities that already have their local NGO registered don't know what to do with it. By giving them the right steps, tools and guidance on what to do with their entity, we will give these communities the possibility to begin to improve their situation.

GLB provides sustainable solutions by providing:

 

1. Direct Capital Investment In The Community (Community Investment Fund):  As part of the GLB cost, each brigader will contribute $100 towards direct capital investment in the community they volunteer in.  This money will be used as the Brigade Team sees fit to provide the best long terms sustainable legal solutions and it is up to the individual Brigade team as to how this money will be allocated.
2. Human Resource Capital:  Each Brigade will include at least 10-15 students who will engage a community, create an intercultural dialogue, and collaborate to provide the best sustainable solutions possible.  Often times, brigaders walk away from these experiences learning much more than taught and gaining a valuable and eye-opening experience.
3. Global Brigades Is Not a One Time Hand Out.  Often times, if a Brigade believes it is necessary, they can pursue 1-2 follow up brigades to ensure the execution of their sustainable development solutions.  Global Brigades staff along with our partner organizations also continue to monitor the success of each brigade to ensure long term sustainability. 

 

 

Who joins GLB?

Mainly pre-law and law students form Global Law Brigades clubs at their universities. 

 

• These clubs organize week-long trips to Panamá, accompanied by advisors and local guides, to participate in legal empowerment projects including human rights , indigenous rights , women´s rights , environmental law education , forming local NGO s, local NGO capacitation , land rights education , local business law sup port , and organic and fair trade certification .  
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• Our programs identify and analyze domestic and international laws beneficial to disadvantaged communities, so we can create positive, proactive solutions.
  

 

 

What is GLB's Mission?

Global Law Brigades programs in Panamá also work in collaboration with our strategic development programs including Business , Architecture , and Environmental Brigades.  Together we empower students, professionals, partner organizations, government agencies and developing communities to challenge poverty through a holistic and sustainable approach to development and poverty alleviation.

 

Where is GLB?

Currently, GLB is working in local Panamanian communities, with possibilities for expansion to other regions. Thus far, successful brigades have been implemented in the Panama Province with several Embera Indigenous Communities.

 

Leadership Team

 

Carlos Saldaña , Law Brigades Director, Panama