The Australian Institute of International Affairs, the International Law Association (Australian Branch) and the Nygh Family are proud to announce that Georgia Lee is the 2024 Peter Nygh Hague Conference Intern.
After completing her combined degree in Legal and Security Studies at Macquarie University in November this year, Georgia will begin a six-month internship at the Hague Conference on Private International Law in February 2024.
During her studies, Georgia developed a keen interest in both private and public international law. As part of her application for the internship, Georgia submitted an essay on the law of the sea, in which she critically analyzed the available international legal framework to potentially combat ocean acidification.
Georgia's interest in international law also developed through her participation in group research with Women Peace Makers for Cambodian civil society reporting under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Georgia not only has a strong interest in international law, particularly as it concerns issues of international cooperation in cross-border matters, but also an obvious passion for social justice. She has achieved excellent academic results whilst managing an impressive range of extracurricular activities and part-time jobs and has achieved a language diploma in French from Macquarie University.
Georgia's enthusiasm for international law and her research and analytical skills will undoubtedly prove invaluable to the work of the Hague Conference, which welcomes her.
The internship supports a graduate or postgraduate student from an Australian law school to undertake an internship at the Hague Conference on Private International Law (Hague Conference) in the Netherlands by providing funds to cover living and travel expenses.
For more information about the Peter Nygh Hague Conference internship, see International Affairs. The application deadline for the 2025 prize is July 31, 2025.
Background to the award
The internship at the Peter Nygh Hague Conference is an award in memory of the late Dr. Peter Nygh AM, a leading international lawyer and former judge at the Family Court of Australia. Dr. Nygh was also an Australian delegate and rapporteur to the Hague Conference. In 2002 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), among other things, “for his services to international law, particularly through his voluntary support to the Hague Conference”.
Dr. Nygh's family donated money to establish the Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship. An additional $50,000 was donated by the Commonwealth Attorney General's Office. Resolve Litigation Lawyers generously supports the administration of the award. Further donations are being sought to support this initiative. All donations are tax deductible.
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (www.internationalaffairs.org.au) was founded in 1924 as an independent, non-political body to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs. The AIIA operates nationwide with 1,500 members in seven state and territorial branches. The AIIA provides a forum for discussion and informs and disseminates ideas through its Australian Journal of International Affairs and book series, including Australia in World Affairs. The Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General, the Honorable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), is the Honorary Visitor and Patron of the AIIA.
The International Law Association has over 50 branches worldwide and a growing number of academics and practicing professionals with an interest in international law. Membership is open to all persons interested in international law. The Hon. Dr. Peter Nygh AM was a former president of the ILA (AB) and was also active in the international organization of the ILA. As president of the ILA (AB), he promoted cooperation between the ILA (AB) and the AIIA.
