“We aim to train lawyers who are willing to go into communities, respond to people collectively, and promote an alternative approach to the legal profession”, said Professor Javier Alejandro Acevedo Guerrero, Director of Escuela de Derecho y Ciencia Política UIS, as he welcomed ninth-semester students during the induction day opening session.
The induction program, which runs until next Friday, January 31, is designed to introduce future lawyers to the operations and legal framework of the internship at this institutional unit.
The challenging situation in Catatumbo, the plight of displaced persons, and the experiences of migrants were key topics during the initial induction activity. On this matter, Professor Acevedo stated, “Every semester brings new challenges and expectations. One of them is determining what tools our future lawyers have to address the humanitarian crises we face. How can the legal profession and the practice at the Consultorio Jurídico respond to the needs and demands of Colombia’s underserved regions? That’s why we aim to instill in students the importance of looking beyond local concerns”.
“It’s always a pleasure and a significant social commitment materialized in this process. Around 45 students are preparing to provide high-quality legal services to all the residents of Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area, especially to individuals with constitutional protections who require our legal assistance,” said Professor Clara Inés Tapias Padilla, Director of the institutional unit.
The program will focus on the various cross-disciplinary lines and legal areas in which the Legal Clinic serves vulnerable populations in Bucaramanga and its surrounding areas. This includes an introduction to the Clínica Jurídica «Carlos Gaviria Díaz» and the services offered to individuals with hearing disabilities through the use of Colombian Sign Language (LSC).
“It’s a challenge because every day brings new needs, requirements, and expectations. However, we have something very important: an inclusive Consultorio Jurídico y Centro de Conciliación, staffed by a highly qualified teaching team that is dedicated to guiding and supporting students across different areas of law. This ensures a quality service that translates into social impact, seeking to transform situations that may violate fundamental rights,” added the Director of the Consultorio Jurídico y Centro de Conciliación UIS.
