Washburn Law Library Hosts Visitor from Paraguay
Washburn Law Library is hosting Arnaldo Lévera Gómez from mid-March to mid-May 2000 to assist and train him with developing techniques for making court opinions and other Paraguay legal materials available via the world wide web. Mr. Lévera's visit is an outgrowth of the December 9, 1999 agreement of cooperation signed by Washburn University with the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Paraguay.
Mr. Lévera is in the fifth year of a six year program at the Law Faculty of the Catholic University Our Lady of the Assumption in Asunción, Paraguay. He also works as a computer technician in the Research, Legislation and Publications Division at the Supreme Court of Justice. His duties include resolving conflicts in legislation and assisting in its preparation for publication. In his free time, Mr. Lévera enjoys reading and walking.
Rebecca Alexander, Cataloger/Reference Librarian, arranged and is coordinating Mr. Lévera's visit. Ms. Alexander maintains the Foreign and International Law section of WashLaw Web.
For further Information, contact the Washburn Law Library:
- John Christensen at (785) 670-1658 (john.christensen [at] washburn.edu), or
- Rebecca Alexander at (785) 670-1040 (rebecca.alexander [at] washburn.edu).
Asuncion, Paraguay - Topeka, Kansas Day Proclaimed
On May 15,2000, Arnaldo Lévera (Paraguay), Francine Hines (International Center of Topeka, Inc.), and John Christensen (Washburn University School of Law) met with Mayor Joan Wagnon. She signed a proclamation declaring May 15 as Asuncion, Paraguay - Topeka, Kansas Day and encouraging the renewal of ties established between the sister cities.
Arnaldo Lévera, a resident of Asuncion, will deliver the proclamation to city officials in Paraguay. He has just completed a two-month internship at Washburn University School of Law Library in Topeka where he has developed Internet skills and has begun building a web page for Paraguayan legal materials. He will continue to maintain the page when he returns to his law studies and work at the Supreme Court of Paraguay next week.
John Christensen is Library Director at Washburn University School of Law and a board member of the International Center of Topeka, Inc. ICT is an organization of individuals in the community interested in international affairs, inter-cultural exchange, and in helping to support study abroad opportunities for Washburn students and in welcoming international students to the Topeka community.
Francine Hines has been instrumental in cultivating the sister city relationship between Topeka and Asuncion. She is vice-president of the International Center of Topeka, Inc. and a member of Kansas-Paraguay Partners, a group of over 100 Kansans interested in strengthening ties between Kansas and Paraguay. Her interest in Paraguay began in 1968 when Governor Docking appointed her as one of ten members of the Governor's Committee on the Partners of the Alliance Program, initiated by Pres. John F. Kennedy.
After the meeting, Mayor Wagnon, Mr. Lévera, Ms. Hines, and Prof. Christensen were hopeful that city officials in Asuncion would be receptive to the invitation to renew cultural and other ties with Topeka.
PROCLAMATION
By the Mayor
WHEREAS, sister city relationships are important for promoting the mutual understanding and friendship between the people of two cities; and
WHEREAS, international relationships are important for seeking business and trading opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the ties between Topeka, Kansas, and Asuncion, Paraguay, were born out of a common interest, mutual support and desire to provide the private citizens of both cities an opportunity to carry on personal involvement; and
WHEREAS, this awareness of other people's problems and hopes is a strong impetus toward total human progress.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joan Wagnon, Mayor of the City of Topeka, Kansas, do hereby proclaim this 15th day of May, 2000, as
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY- TOPEKA, KANSAS DAY
and pledge to renew our commitment to foster and enhance the sister city relationships.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Joan Wagnon, Mayor of the City of Topeka, Kansas, do hereby affix my official signature and the Official Seal of the City Topeka, Kansas, this 15th day of May, 2000.
