CONSTRUCTING THE GLOBAL AGENDA: THE RULE OF LAW AS A DRIVER OF CHANGE
2 April 2014, The Hague
“The advancement of the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, all of which in turn reinforce the rule of law.”
Declaration of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels, 2012
The rule of law is emerging as one of the most pressing issues of this century. It is a cornerstone of peace, security, justice and development. But as countries fall prey to conflict, as citizens demand greater equality and accountability, as institutions struggle to gain public confidence, making the rule of law work for people becomes critically important. More innovative thinking and multi-disciplinary approaches are needed to overcome the obstacles and exploit new opportunities.
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the only intergovernmental organization with an exclusive focus on the rule of law, works in some of the poorest and most insecure parts of the world, as well as in emerging economies. No matter where in the development spectrum a particular country stands, whether establishing peace or protecting the planet, eradicating poverty or encouraging economic opportunity, it needs good laws and regulations that are fairly administered by transparent and accountable institutions and that, most importantly, produce fair outcomes for all.
To mark the opening of its office in The Hague, IDLO will hold a conference, Constructing the Global Agenda: The Rule of Law as a Driver of Change, with the support of the Government of The Netherlands and the City of The Hague.
The conference will bring together policy makers, thinkers and practitioners to debate how best to overcome the deficit in global justice. It will focus on analyzing current trends, opportunities and challenges, and discuss how we can best address the rule of law in the context of conflict prevention and peace-building; human rights and access to justice; and economy, trade and investment.
Across all of these issues, the Conference will highlight the human dimensions of justice. It will focus on the “lived” experience of the rule of law, fair processes and also fair outcomes, and the actual improvements it brings about in the real lives of people.
Key speakers include:
- Mr. José Ramos Horta, former President of Timor-Leste; 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate
- Dr. Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
- Ms. Feruza Jamasheva, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Kyrgyzstan
- Dr. Willy Mutunga, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Kenya
- Dr. Miriam Estrada, Former Minister of Social Welfare and former President of the Supreme Court for Children and Juvenile Justice, Ecuador
- Amb. Ertoğrul Apakan, Former Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations
IDLO’s Director-General, Irene Khan, senior staff and Country Directors (including from Somalia, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen) will be available for interview and/or media briefings.
For further information or to arrange interviews with the participants, please contact: Victoria Harrison Neves on +44 7961346378 or at victoriaharrisonneves@gmail.com.
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity.
