UNEP-Georgetown Global Environment and Sustainability Law Fellows Program: Alumni
"Georgetown Law is thrilled to be partnering with UNEP in making its world-class environmental law program available to lawyers from Africa and other developing nations in the public sector, who will be addressing many of the planet's most challenging ecological and resource problems," Dean William Treanor.
Since its inception, UNEP and Georgetown Law have supported and trained five Fellows from different countries, including, Ghana (Capt. Jamaldeen Seidu); Uruguay (Prof. Gonzalo Iglesias); Malawi (Mr. Michael Chifundo Chinyama); Uganda (Ms. Jeannie Namuga); and Antigua and Barbuda (Ms. Andrea Jacobs). Capt. Seidu and Prof. Iglesias will travel to Kenya to work at the UNEP Headquarters when global travel safely resumes.
Capt. Jamaldeen Tonzua Seidu 
“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.” – Capt. Jamaldeen Tonzua Seidu L’20.
Mr. Chifundo Chinyama
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.”
Ms. Jeanie Namuga
Ms. Jeanie Namuga, 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, Ms. Namuga 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.
Ms. Andrea Jacobs
Ms. Andrea Jacobs, on the other hand, 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.
"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.
Contact information:
- For any questions or assistance, please contact Allan Meso from UNEP, at Allan.Meso[at]un.org or Prof. Sara A. Colangelo from Georgetown University Law Center, at sac54[at]law.georgetown.edu.
- To know more about the call for applications, including the application processes, please visit this website
- For more information on supporting this Fellowship, please contact Gene Finn, Director of Development, at Gene.Finn[at]law.georgetown.edu.
