ELSA, an introduction The ELSA Philosophy Vision A just world in which there is respect for human dignity and cultural diversity. Purpose To contribute to legal education, to foster mutual understanding and to promote social responsibility of law students and young lawyers. Means Providing opportunities for law students and young lawyers to learn about other cultures and legal systems in a spirit of critical dialogue and scientific co-operation. Assisting law students and young lawyers to be internationally minded and professionally skilled. Encouraging law students and young lawyers to act for the good of society. The ELSA Network ELSA is a unique and growing network of more than 25 000 young people from more than 220 universities in 35 countries across Europe. ELSA currently has members and observers in: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom. Furthermore, ELSA co-operates with other student organisations across the world, for instance ILSA in North America, ALSA in Japan, ALSA in Australia, ALSA in South Africa and AEJCI in Ivory Coast. The special status of ELSA ELSA has through its activities and commitment within the international community gained a special status with several international institutions. In 2000 ELSA was granted consultative status with the Council of Europe. Furthermore, ELSA has consultative status with several United Nations bodies; in 1997 ELSA obtained Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) and Consultative Status with UNCITRAL (UN Commission on International Trade Law), in 1994 ELSA was granted Consultative Status in Category C in UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). In addition, ELSA has a co-operation agreement with UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees).