19 Sep Contribution to ICC Canada Newsletter: The New ICC YAAF: An Interview with Canadian Representatives
YCAP is happy to be further collaborating with the ICC Canada Arbitration Committee through a contribution to ICC Canada’s periodic newsletter.
In this first contribution, we interview Emily Sherkey, YCAP member and Canadian member of ICC YAAF’s North American Regional Chapter, on ICC YAAF’s recent re-branding and what the North American Regional Chapter has in store in the months to come.
Q: In broad terms, what were the motives behind the re-branding of ICC YAF to ICC YAAF?
A: ICC YAF stood for International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitrators Forum. It was felt that this did not accurately reflect the group’s global network of the over 27,400 dispute resolution practitioners that practice all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including, but not limited to, arbitration. The name was changed to the Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (ICC YAAF) to underscore ICC’s wide range of alternative dispute resolution services.
Q: What types of dispute resolution services and/or fields of alternative dispute resolution are meant to be covered under the ‘ADR’ portion of the re-branding?
A: ICC YAAF’s re-brand was meant to encompass all dispute resolution services offered by both the ICC International Court of Arbitration as well as the ICC International Centre for ADR, to unite professionals practicing all types of dispute resolution services provided by ICC. Today, ICC is a one-stop shop for dispute resolution. Beyond arbitration, the ICC administers mediations, expert appraisals, and dispute boards, among others.
Q: What can you tell us about the new global strategy for ICC YAAF and its key areas of activity?
A: One of the goals of the new global strategy for ICC YAAF is to demonstrate why it is a unique forum and the variety of opportunities it offers to its members. In terms of its uniqueness, the global ICC YAAF network brings together over 27,400 practitioners across seven Regional Chapters in Africa, Middle East and Turkey, North Asia, South Asia, Europe and Russia, Latin America, and North America. To connect its members globally, ICC YAAF hosts hundreds of educational and social events each year. These allow its members to learn and discuss topical issues and best practices, but most importantly to connect with one another and other practitioners globally.
In terms of the key areas of activity that are part of the new global strategy (knowledge sharing, capacity building, strengthening the network and social impact), ICC YAAF has exciting programs planned to help promote education of the arbitration and ADR field, as well as networking opportunities on a global scale. For example, ICC YAAF is planning to launch a multi-day bootcamp, which will be an interactive condensed training on ICC dispute resolution services. ICC YAAF will also be launching a global essay competition on the Centenary of the ICC Court in 2023 with exciting prizes. These are just some of the many plans that ICC YAAF has for the upcoming year and beyond.
Q: How does the North American Regional Chapter plan to reflect the re-branding in its future activities? Any upcoming event(s) we should keep an eye out for?
A: The North American Regional Chapter intends to bring and promote events that reflect the broad range of services provided by the ICC. There are many great events coming up. The 17th ICC New York Conference is taking place at the end of September. The North American Regional Chapter will be holding a great debate-style event on September 29. Details to come shortly!
Q: Are there opportunities for YCAP members to get involved with ICC YAAF’s North American Regional Chapter and if so, in what capacity?
A: There are definitely opportunities for YCAP members to get involved. YCAP and ICC YAAF have often worked together to co-host great events. For example, there have been many fall or spring YCAP symposia hosted in conjunction with ICC YAAF. Please reach out to your YCAP executives and your ICC YAAF Regional Representatives if you would like to get involved in planning an event or contributing in another way.
ICC YAAF membership is free and open to all young dispute resolution practitioners. YCAP members can sign up to receive updates on ICC YAAF and its events and initiatives. Readers can find more information here.
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Emily Sherkey is a Senior Associate at Torys LLP. The other Canadian representatives of ICC YAAF are Eric Bédard, Partner at Woods, Jocelyn Turnbull Wallace, Associate at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Tom Hatfield, Associate at McMillan LLP.
Prepared by the YCAP Blog Committee