CHICAGO, Sept. 27, 2024 – The American Bar Association commemorates the 15th anniversary of the World Justice Project (WJP), an organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law and advancing justice worldwide. Since its inception, the ABA has played a pivotal role in the development and success of the WJP, aligning its mission with the fundamental belief that justice should be accessible to all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
Originally founded by former ABA president William H. Neukom as an ABA presidential initiative in 2006, and with the initial support of 21 other strategic partners, the World Justice Project transitioned into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2009. Its offices are located in Washington D.C., Singapore and Mexico City.
The WJP is an independent, nonpartisan organization that works to advance the rule of law globally, including the support of research on the rule of law and its impact on economic, socio-political and human development. It was founded with a vision to strengthen the rule of law through research, advocacy and engagement in communities across the globe. The ABA has collaborated closely with the WJP to address the critical issues facing legal systems worldwide.
The ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources has been involved with the WJP for nearly two decades, including participating in the WJP’s “Rebuilding Trust” campaign. The ABA’s Center for Global Programs houses international programs that promote the rule of law, justice, economic opportunity and human dignity.
To mark the anniversary, the WJP is hosting a “Symposium on the Contemporary Challenges to the Rule of Law” at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30. The event will feature two discussion panels.
- · “Checks and Balances: Current Challenges to the Norms and Institutions that Guarantee Rule of Law”: Will feature Judge J. Michelle Childs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; Joshua Geltzer, deputy White House counsel and legal adviser for the National Security Council; and Diane P. Wood, director of the American Law Institute. William Hubbard, former ABA President and cofounder and chair of the WJP board of directors, will moderate.
- · “Rule of Law Implications for Global Business and Economic Prosperity”: Will include Horacio Gutierrez, senior executive vice president and chief legal and compliance officer for The Walt Disney Company; Rhoda Weeks-Brown, general counsel for the International Monetary Fund; and William H. Neukom, former lead lawyer for Microsoft, former ABA President, and WJP cofounder and CEO. Judy Martinez, another former ABA President and WJP vice president, will moderate.
- · To livestream the event, click here.
Since its inception, the WJP has produced the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, an annual ranking of 142 countries, scored by level of freedom, justice and accountability based on eight factors of the rule of law. It has become the gold standard for independent data on the subject.
The index has proven to be an invaluable tool for tracking adherence by countries to the rights and freedoms we all deserve. While the rule of law is often considered as a product of lawyers and courts, it touches the lives of all people, every day in the course of business, safety, governance and human rights. Countries with an effective rule of law have less corruption, can better combat poverty and disease and hold their elected officials more accountable.
“The shrinking of the rule of law is the seminal issue of our time,” said Neukom, who is cofounder and chief executive officer of the WJP. “And by rule of law I mean a durable system of laws, institutions, norms and community commitment that delivers accountability, just laws, open government and accessible justice. It is critical to our well-being. It is why you can feel safe in your home and at work, can earn a living, live a life of dignity and continue to be part of a functioning community. Without it, you are left with a flimsy platform on which to build a life.”
The WJP this month continued its important research, releasing a survey-driven report titled U.S. Rule of Law Trends and the 2024 Election, examining Americans’ trust in the courts and elections.
Source: https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2024/09/aba-commemorates-wjp-15th-anniv/
