"Getting motivated every single day in the place where the heart of international law beats.”
For the past year Theodora Valkanou has been working as a Research Associate to Judge James Crawford of the International Court of Justice. She undertakes research on a wide range of international law topics and provides assistance in a number of international arbitrations.
Due to her research needs, Theodora is a frequent user of the Peace Palace Library. She admits that the Peace Palace Library reasonably boasts its comprehensive collection of international law material. “From general international law to international economic law to the history of international law, the Peace Palace Library has provided me with all essential tools for in-depth research”, Theodora remarks. According to her, the feeling of conducting research in a locus where the heart of international law beats is exhilarating. The peaceful ambiance of the library coupled with the splendid surroundings of the Peace Palace is deeply inspiring on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, the Peace Palace Library provides an ideal environment for interaction with lawyers and academic researchers who share the same interest and enthusiasm for international law often giving rise to fruitful discussions.
Theodora Valkanou is a young Greek lawyer who studied law at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed her LL.M in Public International Law at Leiden University. After having worked at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, the European Commission and in legal practice in London, she relocated to the Hague in 2015 to serve as a Research Associate to Judge James Crawford. She emphasises that her current post has broadened her horizons and helped her solidify her knowledge of international law with the Peace Palace Library being an indispensable part of this journey. Theodora ultimately aspires to return to Greece and apply her knowledge and experiences there when her home country needs, more than ever, young knowledgeable and motivated human capital.