UNEP-Georgetown Global Environment and Sustainability Law Fellows Program: Alumni
Since its inception, UNEP and Georgetown Law through the Fellowship Program have supported and trained ten Fellows from different countries, including: Antigua and Barbuda (Andrea Jacobs) , Argentina (Catalina Asiain), Chile (Sebastián Luengo), Ghana (Jamaldeen Seidu), Malawi (Michael Chifundo Chinyama), Nigeria (Munachi Ugwu) , Peru (Vera Flores), Uganda (Jeannie Namuga), Uruguay (Gonzalo Iglesias), Zimbabwe (Rudorwashe Chasi)
“Receiving this unique degree will not only benefit the national governments of the Fellows selected, but ultimately will impact countries and citizens around the world," Ms. Patricia J. Beneke, Former Director for the UNEP’s Regional Office for North America.
Testimonials from some of the UNEP-Georgetown Fellows Alumni
Rudorwashe Chasi - Zimbabwe
"UNEP and Georgetown University Sustainability Law program was an opportunity of a lifetime! It was a great experience learning from the best legal minds in the world and interacting with thought leaders and experts. It was a great platform for networking and exchange!"
Catalina Asiain - Argentina
“My experience with the UNEP-Georgetown Fellowship was beyond words. It was a door-opening and truly amazing opportunity to engage firsthand with topics I am passionate about, such as tackling plastic pollution, and to witness international environmental processes advancing at UNEP's Headquarters. I was also able to implement the insights and knowledge gained during the LL.M., which added great value to the experience. The team was incredibly welcoming and made us feel we were right at home in Nairobi, despite being far from it.”
Sebastián Luengo - Chile
"The UNEP-Georgetown Fellowship was a game changer for my professional and academic career. As I transitioned from the Chilean Ministry of Environment to Georgetown, my perspective on critical global environmental issues expanded significantly. The professors at Georgetown University Law Center (GULC) are exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced in their fields. Moreover, being based in Washington, D.C. opens the door to some of the most influential institutions in the world regarding environmental issues for internships and networking. Having the chance to work at UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi has also had a tremendous impact on my career. You get the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and join the ranks of one of the most prestigious organizations in the world: the United Nations. UNEP’s Law Division is working on solving current environmental issues all around the world, and you get the chance to learn and experience how cutting-edge agreements and regulations are shaping the international scene. My view on critical international environmental law issues has changed forever after my time at Georgetown and UNEP, and I truly believe there is nothing similar in the world."
Jamaldeen Tonzua Seidu - Ghana
“My time at Georgetown Law was a 360° experience that was full of excitement, value addition and ineffable memories. In retrospect, I wonder if any institution can rival Georgetown Law with its impeccable hosting of the top-notch Global Environmental Law and Sustainability Fellowship of the United Nations Environment Program. My 360° experience revolves around three planes— academic, professional and social. As a beneficiary of the excellent academic, professional and social resources of Georgetown Law and the United Nations Environment Programme, I am better positioned to serve Ghana, the world and humankind.”
Chifundo Chinyama - Malawi
Mr. Chifundo Chinyama was the 2018-2019 Fellow from Malawi. Chifundo worked as an environmental lawyer for the Environmental Affairs Department in Malawi and had a background in civil ligation and legislative drafting. In an interview to share his experiences, Mr. Chifundo stated that “the experience during the entire fellowship was incredible and eye-opening. I got to learn more about international environmental policies and litigation, which equipped me with the skills to promote environmental advocacy.” With the skills and experience that Mr. Chifundo gained, he hopes that he will be able to open a department in his institution that will pull in more environmental lawyers, especially given that there are only two environmental lawyers in his country. He further stated that “this fellowship has given me the chance to spread my wings wider and deeper into the environmental arena.”
Jeanie Namuga - Uganda
Jeanie focused her studies on the link between land use issues and the emerging oil and gas exploration market in Uganda. Before being awarded the Fellowship, Jeanie worked in the Land and Environmental Law Division of the High Court of Uganda, writing draft judicial opinions. She has also been involved with multiple organizations focused on environmental, land use, and public justice issues including the Ugandan Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers; Avocats Sans Frontiers; the Coalition for the International Criminal Court; the Uganda Land Alliance; and the East African Regional Symposium on Public Interest Environmental Litigation.
Andrea Jacobs - Antigua and Barbuda
Andrea focused her studies on development and climate change adaptation in the Caribbean. She further explored interests in clean energy technology, electric and autonomous vehicles, and robotics. Ms. Jacob’s profession focused on energy, environment, and development planning laws. Back in her country, she was the Chairman of the Development Control Authority Tribunal, in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, where she heard matters on appeal relating to building permissions and breaches of the building code. She also represented Antigua and Barbuda at the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change and was the coordinator for the Preambular and Compliance section of the Paris Agreement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.
Contact information:
- For any questions or assistance, please contact UNEP at unep-montevideo@un.org or Lydia Slobodian at Georgetown Law at lns27@georgetown.edu.
- For any more information on application process and deadlines, please visit UNEP’s page.
