ICC YAAF: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Empowering Young Practitioners
Join us in Douala for the ICC YAAF Passing on the Baton series event, focusing on debunking the myth of impostor syndrome and empowering young practitioners in arbitration.
Arbitration remains a relatively unexplored area for young practitioners, particularly in Sub-Saharan Francophone Africa. This perception stems from the challenging environment in which they operate, leading to a lack of confidence and the experience of "impostor syndrome." There is a pressing need to dispel this myth within the community of young practitioners in the region.
This conference aims to address impostor syndrome by exploring what it is, how the young arbitration community is coping with it, and providing tips to overcome it, thereby helping young practitioners build careers in international arbitration.
The workshop has the following objectives:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the arbitration process, including key legal frameworks and institutional rules.
- To enhance understanding of the role of arbitrators and the characteristics of effective arbitration advocacy.
- To facilitate networking opportunities for young practitioners.
- To promote business development and branding conversations in arbitration.
The workshop targets the following audience:
- Legal practitioners aged 40 and under specializing in dispute resolution.
- In-house counsel and corporate legal teams aged 40 and under.
- Academics and law students aged 40 and under.
- Professionals from arbitration institutions.
- Anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge of arbitration.
Aminatou Akobe
ICC YAAF Representative for Africa; Associate, Trialys Law Firm, Brussels
Email : aminatou.akobe@trialys.com
10:00-10:30 | Welcome of the Participants and Registration
10:30-10:40 | Welcome Address and Introduction to the ICC YAAF
- Aminatou Akobe, ICC YAAF Representative for Africa; Associate, Trialys Law Firm, Brussels
10:40-11:40 | Session I - Demystifying arbitration
- Topic 1 - Understanding arbitration : Fundamentals and key concepts, example of the ICC Arbitration
- Darly Aymar Djofang, Managing Partner, Djofang & Partners, Douala
- Darly Aymar Djofang, Managing Partner, Djofang & Partners, Douala
- Topic 2 - The imposter syndrome : What’s going on exactly? Arbitration as seen by young practitioners in Cameroon
- Philippe Kona, Member, Permanent Committee, Centre of Mediation and Arbitration - CMAG- GECAM, Douala
- Philippe Kona, Member, Permanent Committee, Centre of Mediation and Arbitration - CMAG- GECAM, Douala
- Topic 3 - Evolution of Arbitration in Cameroon : Building a stronger legal local communit
- Winnie Nantcha Ngoufack, Managing Partner, JFC Consulting, Douala
Moderator - Augustine Pauliane Boum, Managing Partner, APB Avocat, Douala
11:40-11:55 | Q&A Session
11:55-12:05 | Coffee Break
12:05-13:15 | Session II - Empowering young practitioners
- Topic 1 - Knowledge of the Governing Law : The Key to Arbitration Success, example of construction cases
- Mireille Adebone, Managing Partner, M&A Avocats, Yaoundé
- Mireille Adebone, Managing Partner, M&A Avocats, Yaoundé
- Topic 2 - Representing Clients in Arbitration : first reflexes and practical tools
- Kizito Dikuba, Managing Partner, Dikuba Law Firm, Douala
- Kizito Dikuba, Managing Partner, Dikuba Law Firm, Douala
- Topic 3 - Careers in Arbitration : What the future holds?
- Sadjo Ousmanou, Chairman, Permanent Centre of Mediation and Arbitration, Yaoundé
- Mouhamed Kebe, Managing Partner, Geni & Kebe Lawyers, Dakar
Moderator - Michèle Monthe, Managing Partner, Michèle Monthe Law Firm, Douala
13:15-13:30 | Q&A session
13:30-13:35 | Closing Remarks
13:35-15:00 | Networking cocktail
At ICC, we believe that through training and mentorship, we can shape the next generation of leading international arbitration and ADR experts. Through the ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) network, we are able to better inform, connect and inspire young professionals with interests in dispute resolution and dispute avoidance.
Throughout the world, ICC YAAF organises a number of educational and social events that allow young professionals to discover best practices, discuss topical issues, network and create meaningful connections with experienced practitioners.
