Griffith graduate lands UN leadership role
In the eyes of Chris Eigeland, studying at Griffith University presented the perfect platform to make his mark on the world.
His determination and his ambition were nurtured, supported, and ultimately accelerated by a university environment that gave him the impetus to bring change to the lives of the poor in Haiti, East Timor, and, more recently, South Africa through his groundbreaking Schoolbag initiative.
His relentless efforts and unflinching focus have now been recognised with his selection as Australia’s Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2016.
“Griffith has been the ideal place to study, allowing me to kick-start my career by pursuing my passion for human rights, education and the environment,” says Chris, who completed a double degree at the end of 2013.
The Australian Youth Representative is appointed by the United Nations in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the annual recipient dedicating 12 months to the job of unearthing the issues most important to young Australians.
Chris will deliver his findings in a report to national leaders at the end of his term, and will also address the UN General Assembly in New York as part of the Australian delegation.
“This is an incredible leadership opportunity which will put me in the same room as global leaders and international NGOs striving to bring about positive change in the world and improve human rights around the globe.
“My education experience and my university experience at Griffith combined to fill me with the confidence and knowledge to seize the opportunities that have led to this achievement.”
At the end of 2015, Chris completed an international associateship in the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the country’s highest court.
“This court embodies the transformation of South Africa with its focus on dignity and human rights,” says Chris who completed a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts.
His role involved researching and advising on current trends in international law, particularly in the area of constitutional and human rights jurisprudence.
“This associateship has undoubtedly deepened my understanding of nations undergoing democratic transitions, and I now have an enhanced appreciation of the immense emotional and historical weight that accompanies such a shift.”
Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts
On graduation, you may choose to specialise in law, combine your skills to work as a specialist media or arts lawyer, or use your arts qualification to explore a wider spectrum.
Law component
Griffith Law School offers a professional legal curriculum that focuses on core areas of legal practice and the legal skills that lawyers must have. You will have the opportunity to choose law electives based on your interests, including clinical courses that emphasise practical legal skills, insights and experience.
You will make connections between law and ethics, legal theory, Indigenous issues, and internationalisation. You will also develop interdisciplinary understandings of law and legal work.
You will take courses such as Constitutional Law, Legal Theory, Law and the Modern State, Corporate Governance and Regulation, Criminal Law, and Property Law.
Arts component
You will have the option to choose a major and develop specialist expertise in contemporary fields such as Journalism, Public Relations, Islam-West Relations Security Studies or Criminal Justice. Or, you can study more traditional fields such as Sociology, History and Literary Studies.
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