Arbitration centre partners with YEP for outreach on dispute resolution

PRESS RELEASE: In its first-ever outreach initiative directed at youth of the British Virgin Islands, the BVI International Arbitration Centre is excited to host a student debate focusing on dispute resolution on Friday, 27 July, in partnership with the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).

During a “working lunch” at the Centre, fifteen students from YEP will plunge for the first time into the world of dispute resolution. Divided into two teams of six, they will research the subjects of litigation vs. arbitration – the two major methods of dispute resolution in the business world – and engage in a vigorous debate about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

According to Francois Lassalle, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, the programme is the first-ever youth programme of its kind in the BVI focusing solely on arbitration, and YEP, a nonprofit youth organisation founded in 2007 providing opportunities and activities for young people, is the ideal partner for it.

“YEP BVI has been a highly respected youth organisation in the community for many years, and we love what they stand for, as well as their commitment to exposing young people to new and diverse opportunities,” he said.

“With the BVI rapidly becoming a major arbitration hub in the Caribbean and beyond, some of the most important work we do at the centre is educating young people about our industry and helping to ensure bright future for arbitration in the territory. We believe this programme is an exciting first step toward sowing the seeds for future arbitrators in the BVI.”

Topics the students will explore in their preparations for the debate will include the different types of litigations and arbitrations, the backgrounds of the people who conduct these proceedings in the BVI, and why jurisdictions strive to make themselves attractive to host arbitration proceedings.

Teams will be judged on the clarity of their argument, knowledge, content and consistency, as well as on their presentation, which includes preparedness, poise and delivery.

The aim is to introduce students to dispute resolution who may not have had previous exposure to the field while helping them hone skills such as research, debate, public speaking and critical thinking.