ADR 20-21: THE DIRECTOR'S VANTAGE…

This year is not like any other year. It’s the year of pandemic. No...I am not referring to the disease. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word ‘Pandemic’ as “occurring over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affecting a significant proportion of the population”. I am referring to this global aspect of the word ‘Pandemic’. 

In the past few months, people all over the world have begun rethinking of ways of surviving, living and working. It has been observed and accepted that we can innovate our ways of functioning so that life doesn’t come to a standstill. The educational institutions world-wide, have suspended real classes but continue to remain connected to students and dispense knowledge online. Other activities need to go on similarly. 

This experience teaches us novel ways of operating, and so the ADR Board of the V. M. Salgaocar College of Law also has sprung in to action virtually. The call for online registration for membership is already out. ADR as a process is all about innovating new ways of dispute resolution. Understanding this spirit of the ADR process, the Board has visualised the path ahead for this year. The current situation has opened up the opportunity of gaining a new experience of similar online exercises. The opportunity of widening the pool of global intellectual inputs by arranging virtual sessions can be explored like never before. It is in this sense that the word ‘pandemic’, becomes significant. 

The International Dispute Resolution Competition, the Lex Infinitum being organised under the aegis of the ADR Board, enters its 6th year. We are all geared to make it even bigger and better virtually. This year we have collaborated with our esteemed partners AIDR(Association for International Dispute Resolution) Professional Foundation. The wheels are rolling in and the ever-enthusiastic Core Committee of Lex Infinitum has rolled up its sleeves for this massive virtual challenge. The cores have put to gather their brains, experience and cautious mind to visualise the possible technical challenge and have designed an apt format for this virtual event. All this with the wider array of Knowledge sessions by ADR expert’s world-over.  Commendable indeed. “In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity”, it is said. Keeping this in mind, the Board is all set to make the best use of this prospect and give to its members and other law students around the world, the best that can be offered. 

• Dr. Mrunmayi M.Vaidya

                                                                        Director, ADR Board