Over 160 Esteemed Guests Gathered in Belgrade to Mingle, Sightsee and Discuss Food Law
Gecić Law is proud to announce the completion of one of the most prestigious gatherings of legal professionals in Belgrade in recent history, bringing together high-profile individuals and young leaders in politics, business and innovation. Coordinated with the Harvard Law School Association of Europe (HLSAE), the 2017 reunion in Belgrade coincided with the Bicentennial Celebration of Harvard Law School (HLS) and took place over four days, from May 25 through May 28, 2017.
The event included the myriad of activities showcasing Belgrade as one of Europe’s best-kept tourism secrets and encompassed the Academic Session at the House of the National Assembly and gala reception with the Royal family at the White Palace.
“It really has been an incredible honor to host the 2017 reunion of HLSAE in my hometown of Belgrade,” said Bogdan Gecić, HLS alumni and partner at Gecić Law. “I’m incredibly thankful to Mr. Salvo Arena, President of HLSAE for entrusting us with this event and as the local organizer, I couldn’t be happier with the turnout and the reviews.”
“This was an amazing opportunity to showcase our city to over 160 esteemed guests, many of whom didn’t have a chance to visit Belgrade before,” added Svetlana Starčević of Gecić Law. “I hope fantastic reviews we heard throughout the event will not only change perceptions of Serbia but also translate into more opportunities for business and tourism here.”
For the first time ever, the HLSA of Europe Award was bestowed by Mr. Salvo Arena, President of HLSAE to a prominent HLS alumnus, William Stevens, co-founder of HLSAE.
Founded in 1965 in Paris, HLSAE is the second-largest Harvard Law alumni group in the world with more than 2,000 alumni from Europe. In 2015, HLSAE celebrated its 50th anniversary in Paris, Association’s birthplace, and the only city to host a milestone reunion of this prominence, as Paris hosted the HLS Sesquicentennial in 1967.
“This event was also a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, as well as make new ones,” added Bogdan Gecić, “it was especially interesting during the Academic session which focused on Food Law and how policymakers can help shape the future of food production and consumption in Europe and beyond.”
The academic session and the panel on Food Law included: professor Emily Broad Leib, a lead scholar from the Harvard Law School (also named by Time as one of the five most innovative women in food); Stefano Palmieri, CFO of Granarolo Group, and the Serbian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Branislav Nedimović.
“As a Harvard Law graduate, I’m also happy that local media highlighted opportunities Harvard offers for young people in Serbia. Due to the generosity of Harvard alumni and the large endowments, Harvard has scholarships available for the best and the brightest students, regardless of their financial means. I hope that encourages our young students to apply to Harvard Law and continue to grow and challenge themselves,” concluded Gecić.
European HLS graduates include the former Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands and Spain, the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia, the President of Ireland, sitting judges of the International Court of Justice in Hague, judges and advocates General of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, judges and court staff in Strasbourg, judges of the International Criminal Court as well as judges of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, higher courts in England and many others.
The Annual Reunion was covered in the local media including Večernje Novosti, Politika, RTV Pink (the segment can be seen at 1:15:32) and Vesti.
You can learn more about Harvard Law School (HLS) and Harvard Law School Association of Europe (HLSAE) by visiting their websites.
