The Australian Institute of International Affairs and the International Law Association (Australian Branch) proudly announce that this year’s Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship has been awarded to Reyna Ge. 2016 is the 10^th year in which the Internship has been awarded.

The Internship supports a graduate or post graduate student of an Australian law school to undertake an internship with The Hague Conference on Private International Law (The Hague Conference) in the Netherlands by providing funds to cover the cost of travel to the Netherlands and a contribution towards living expenses.

With her strong interest in private international law, driven personality and clear intellectual ability, Reyna Ge was an outstanding candidate for the 2016 award. Reyna’s interest in private international law piqued while representing the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in prominent international law competitions including the Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, as well as the International Chamber of Commerce Mediation Competition in Paris.

She went on to come first in International Commercial Arbitration at the UNSW Law School in 2014, and was the recipient of the 2014 Danielle Sirmai Memorial Award for private international law. Reyna graduated from UNSW in 2015 with a combined commerce and law degree.

Reyna has practical legal experience having worked for two years as a paralegal at Whittens & McKeough, a boutique corporate law firm in Sydney. Reyna also completed a rotation in Litigation and Dispute Resolution at top-tier Australian law firm, Allens. In addition to this she successfully completed internships at the Hague Conference Asia-Pacific Regional Office (HAPRO) in Hong Kong and at Linklaters in London.

Besides her academic excellence and diverse work experience, Reyna also contributed to her university community as a Research Assistant at the UNSW Law Faculty, International Careers Vice-President of the UNSW Law Society, Education Director of UNSW Business Society, Success Mentor at the UNSW Law Society and regular cast member and coordinator of the UNSW Law Revue.

Reyna Ge’s strong appreciation for international affairs and her experience working in Hong Kong, London and Australia equip her well to meet the challenges of working at The Hague Conference.

Reyna will be presented with her award by the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG FAIIA on Monday 15 February 2016.

For those interested in applying for the 2017 Nygh Internship, applications close on 30^th September 2016. Please visit the AIIA’s website at www.internationalaffairs.org.au/youth-community/nygh-internship/.

Background Information

The Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship is an award in memory of the late Hon Dr Peter Nygh AM, a leading international lawyer and former judge of the Family Court of Australia. Dr Nygh was also an Australian delegate to, and a rapporteur of, The Hague Conference. In 2002, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in part ‘for service to international law, particularly through honorary assistance to The Hague Conference’.

Dr Nygh’s family donated funds to establish the Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship. An additional $50,000 was donated by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. Resolve Litigation Lawyers generously supports the administration of the award. Further donations are being sought to support this initiative. All donations are tax deductible.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs (www.internationalaffairs.org.au) was established in 1924 as an independent non-political body to promote an interest in, and understanding of, international affairs. The AIIA operates nationwide with 1,500 members across seven State and Territory branches. The AIIA provides a forum for discussion, and educates and disseminates ideas via its journal Australian Journal of International Affairs and book series including Australia in World Affairs. The Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) is the AIIA’s Honorary Visitor and Patron.

The International Law Association has over 50 branches worldwide and a growing membership of academics and practising professionals with an interest in international law. Membership is available to all persons interested in international law. The Hon Dr Peter Nygh AM was a past president of ILA (AB) and was also active in the international organisation of the ILA. While president of the ILA (AB) he promoted co-operation between the ILA (AB) and the AIIA.