ICC Judge delivers powerful message in Gordon Wilson Lecture

On Thursday evening, this year’s Gordon Wilson Lecture was given by Sir Howard Morrison, former Judge at the International Criminal Court.

This year’s event was introduced by Head Girl, Rachel Hodge, and Head Boy, Jude Brannigan. They spoke movingly about the significant role played by Gordon Wilson in bringing hope to Northern Ireland in more troubled times and of his support for our College when it was founded in 1994.

Sir Howard reflected on his twenty-five years as a judge and his involvement in cases of genocide in Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia. Based on his own experience training judges there, he talked about the challenges of rebuilding Iraq following the Allied invasion in 2003. He also spoke movingly of his work in advising war crimes judges in the Ukraine, praising the courage and determination of its people in the face of a hostile invasion.

Above all, he underlined the importance of cherishing the rule of law in a democracy, as well as the vital need to preserve the ICC in a world where mass murder could otherwise go unchecked.

Sir Howard finished the lecture with an inspirational rallying call to the students in the audience. With education, anything is possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event, in spite of the atrocious weather. Your support is very much appreciated.