The German Yearbook of International Law was founded in 1948 as the "Jahrbuch für Internationales Recht" by Rudolf Laun and Hermann von Mangoldt and is now edited by the Institute for International Law at the University of Kiel. Since its inception it has endeavoured to contribute to the development of international law. Originally it has done this mainly by providing German scholars with an opportunity to publish the results of their works, but increasingly also by offering an international forum. In view of the desirability of obtaining for the Yearbook the largest possible international audience, the editors in 1976 have decided to use the present English title and to accept for publication preferably contributions written in English, or - to a lesser degree - in French. Naturally, the Yearbook also contains contributions written in German. This policy to overcome traditional language barriers appears to have proven successful both in informing the international law community about research done in German academic institutions and in presenting international viewpoints on various topics to the German audience. The Yearbook provides an annual report on the work of international organizations and bodies including the International Court of Justice and the European Court and Commission of Human Rights. Fully aware of the paramount importance of practical aspects in this field, the editors from the beginning also have sought to include contributions from practitioners of international law.

Autorentext
Professor Andreas Zimmermann is Professor of Law, University of Potsdam and Director Potsdam Centre of Human Rights; Dr. jur. (Heidelberg), LL.M. (Harvard); former Member of the German delegation to the Preparatory Committee and the United Nations Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court; member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; counsel in various cases before the ICJ; judge ad hoc in various cases before the European Court of Human Rights; arbitrator under the annex to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; member of the advisory board on UN issues of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Inhalt
Inhalt: Forum: P. J. Kuijper, Superpower Frustrated? The Costs of Non-Lisbon in EU External Affairs - Focus Section: Poverty as a Challenge to International Law: The Millennium Development Goals and the Guise of Humanitarianism: M. E. Salomon, Poverty, Privilege and International Law: The Millennium Development Goals and the Guise of Humanitarianism - C. Kaufmann / M. Grosz, Poverty, Hunger and International Trade: What's Law Got to Do with It? Current Mechanisms and the Doha Development Agenda - D. Bradlow, Developing Countries Debt Crises, International Financial Institutions, and International Law: Some Preliminary Thoughts - E. Brown Weiss / T. K. Lat, Engaging the World's Poor People in Sustainable Development - V. Chetail, Paradigm and Paradox of the Migration-Development Nexus: The New Border for North-South Dialogue - K. Arts, The European Community's Contribution to the Fight Against Poverty in Developing Countries: Normative and Real? - M. Langford, Poverty in Developed States: International Human Rights Law and the Right to a Remedy - General Articles: R. Geiß, The Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts - S. von Schorlemer, Compliance with the UNESCO World Heritage Convention: Reflections on the Elbe Valley and the Dresden Waldschlösschen Bridge - C. J. Tams / A. Zimmermann, "[T]he Federation Shall Accede to Agreements Providing for General, Comprehensive and Compulsory International Arbitration". The German Optional Clause Declaration of 1 May 2008 - A. Proelß, Marine Genetic Resources under UNCLOS and the CBD - H. Taki, Opinio Juris and the Formation of Customary International Law: A Theoretical Analysis - Y. Tanaka, Rethinking Lex Ferenda in International Adjudication - Reports: P. Braasch / S. Fuhrmann, Die Rechtsprechung des Internationalen Gerichtshofes im Jahre 2008 - H. Martin / K. Will / S. Hentrei, Die Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofes für Menschenrechte im Jahre 2008 - C. A. Müller / T. Smith, The Work of the International Criminal Court in 2008 - E. Fernández Muñoz / B. Krings / K. Molle, The Work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Year 2008 - M. Fröhlich / A. Trautmann, Die Rechtsprechung des WTO-Streitbeilegungsgremiums im Jahre 2008 - J. Glocke / S. Klatte, Die Tätigkeit der International Law Commission im Jahre 2008 - Book Reviews - Books Received - List of Contributors