Carolina, Puerto Rico — The National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute (NAGTRI), the training and research arm of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), has established the Center for International Partnerships and Strategic Collaboration (CIPS-C). Its mission will focus on growing NAAG’s and NAGTRI’s international presence, building strategic partnerships in the global sphere, and providing training, technical, and research assistance to domestic and international government attorneys, prosecutors, and representatives to promote security and enhance capacity.
The Center’s launch was announced yesterday evening in Carolina, Puerto Rico, at the opening of the inaugural joint international conference with the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) focusing on human trafficking. The IAP-NAGTRI Global Conference on Human Trafficking: Working Cooperatively to Conduct Effective Prosecutions and Restore Victims features prosecutors, government attorneys, and critical law enforcement and victim-services stakeholders. They are convening for two days to develop strategies to address unique challenges involving prosecuting human trafficking cases and victim restoration.
NAGTRI’s international presence has grown over the past several years through initiatives like the annual NAGTRI International Fellows Program, which brings together senior government attorneys for in-depth programs on topics of mutual legal interest; global deployments of attorneys general staff to provide legal and technical assistance; and the creation and delivery of training curricula to prosecutors, judges, and other legal officials.
“The creation of CIPS-C will allow us to meet the growing demand for the high-quality and unbiased training, research, and technical assistance that defines NAGTRI,” said Amy Tenney Curren, director of NAGTRI, in announcing the Center.
CIPS-C will also provide opportunities for the attorney general community to train and collaborate with government servants abroad, host international delegations, and serve as delegates. An early priority for CIPS-C is to expand NAGTRI’s presence in Latin America and assist with developing partnerships and creating opportunities for U.S. and international collaboration.
“The opportunity to engage internationally helps the attorneys general both directly and indirectly. Through NAGTRI’s partnerships we have learned from each other and forged relationships that allow for continued mutual assistance and look forward to continue to deepen those experiences,” noted Lawrence Wasden, Idaho attorney general and NAGTRI Training Committee co-chair, in commenting on the Center.
NAGTRI has named Jeanette Manning the founding director of CIPS-C. In her prior position as NAGTRI program counsel, Manning led many of NAGTRI’s international efforts. Manning previously served as chief of the Neighborhood and Victim Services Section in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. Manning holds a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Western Connecticut State University.
Gina Cabrejo, NAGTRI criminal justice instructor for Latin American programs, will work directly on projects and trainings internationally. Prior to joining NAGTRI, Cabrejo held national-level positions in Colombia, focusing on the application of law, corruption, and laundering of assets as a source of financing terrorism and on training prosecutors on emerging subject areas. Cabrejo holds an LL.M. in International Law from Stetson University and a graduate degree in law from the Universidad Católica de Colombia (the Catholic University of Colombia).
“Under the visionary leadership of Jeanette Manning, and with Gina Cabrejo’s extensive prosecutorial experience, NAGTRI stands ready to collaborate with and assist other countries and non-governmental organizations to further the rule of law,” noted NAAG Executive Director Chris Toth.
NAGTRI looks forward to including any state or territorial attorneys general offices interested in participating in any future CIPS-C activities. More CIPS-C information can be found here.
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