The Director General of the International Telecommunication Satellite Organization (ITSO), Mr. Patrick Masambu, will discuss the current legal challenges for satellite technology, and the opportunities these technologies provide for economic development. He will address the international legal framework for the deployment, operation and disposal of satellites, and how they are used to achieve a more just economic development that benefits all countries worldwide. This conference is aimed at practitioners who work in the field of satellite law, as well as students that are interested in contemporary topics of international law. The program is sponsored by the Program on International Communications Regulation and Policy at American University Washington College of Law, in cooperation with ITSO.

Renata David, Deputy Director General & Director of Legal Affairs at the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITS) will speak about what it is like to work at an international organization that strives to enhance economic development through better electronic communication worldwide.

In the context of the partnership between AUWCL and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), the law school hosted ITSO’s 37th Assembly of Parties October 12-14, 2016. The Assembly of Parties is ITSO’s most important meeting and it is attended by ministers, ambassadors, and other prominent government officials from ITSO’s 149 member states. The Assembly was chaired by Ambassador Nikolay Nikiforov from the Party of Russia, and included the participation of deputy chair Ida Gaye-Warburton from the Party of Jamaica. Elections for the position of Director General took place on Thursday, October 13. Patrick Masambu of Uganda was chosen as Director General Elect and will assume the post in July 2017. ITSO’s executive organ is comprised of the Director General, Jose Toscano, the Director of Technical Affairs, Patrick Masambu, and the Director of Legal Affairs, Renata Brazil David. The partnership between AUWCL and ITSO has led to the creation of the Program on International Communications Regulation and Policy, which is headed by AUWCL alumna Renata Brazil David. The Program currently has three courses: a Spring semester course on International Communications Regulation and policy, an online course titled Basic Principles of International Communications Regulation and Policy, and a Summer course titled International Communications Law: A Comparative Perspective. ITSO which offers internships for current law students. For more information, visit www.itso.int.