It began on Monday 25 March and runs until Wednesday 27 March, the 16th edition of Spring School will mark 50 years of democracy. Under the motto "Lawyer and Citizen - Commitment to a Freer and Fairer Society", we will give students the opportunity to reflect on the fundamental values of the rule of law and the role of lawyers in defending the freedoms and guarantees that have been won. In this context, the Spring School will have moments that will help emphasise the importance of young people not taking freedom for granted, but remaining vigilant and committed to building a freer, fairer society that is prepared to face the challenges of the future.
For three days, 100 law students will also have the opportunity to develop the behavioural skills most valued by law firms and learn about the main challenges facing the legal sector, through practical workshops and inspiring talks that will help them prepare for their entry into the job market.
This year we will have VdA " newcomers" at the Spring School and some special guests:
- A panel debate on "Justice and Democracy, the Role of Lawyers and the Challenges of the Future" - Assunção Cristas, Manuel Protásio and Sebastião Bugalho will talk to the students about these issues, sharing their opinions and vision for the future. The debate will be moderated by one of the Spring School ambassadors, Rita Costa Lima;
- Inspirational Talk on "The Evolution of Women's Rights" with Mariana França Gouveia;
- Inspirational Talk on "Rugby and Teamwork" led by Pedro Cassiano Santos and with the participation of two special guests: Tomás Appleton and Jerónimo Portela, respectively Captain and Opening Midfielder of the Rugby National Team;
We'll be joined once again by:
- Spring School Ambassadors - We challenged four VdA lawyers to take part in Spring School to interact with the students in more informal moments and share their experience as former Spring Schoolers who became trainees at VdA - Carolina Vaza, Francisco Resina da Silva, Gonçalo Mesquita Ferreira and Rita Costa Lima. Our ambassadors will play an active role at different moments, namely in the recruitment interview simulation workshop;
- A collaborative social responsibility initiative between the students, VdA Academia and the VVA Foundation through the donation of clothes to the Crescer Association, which supports people in vulnerable situations;
- A surprise and magical moment during the Dinner Party, to maintain the good humour that characterises us, as well as the great return of our Bandalhoca to the Spring School stage.
- The Spring School APP, where students can interact with each other and with the Spring School team via chat, consult the event diary, the trainers' bios, the module descriptions, upload photos and videos, among other features.
VdA speakers at Spring School:
João Vieira de Almeida, Assunção Cristas, Benedita Aires, Fernando Resina da Silva, Jorge Bleck, Manuel Protásio, Mariana França Gouveia, Pedro Cassiano Santos, Rodrigo Esteves de Oliveira, Susana Miranda, Amanda Alves Reis, Sandra Pedro Serrano, Iakovina Kindylidi, Inês Loureiro, João Ranito, José Menano and Rita Costa Lima.
