Building a More Just Future: Buttressing Our International Judicial Architecture

This side event, held in conjunction with the UN Summit of the Future, examined the state of the international judicial architecture and the reforms needed to strengthen global peace and justice institutions. Convened by the ImPACT Coalition for Just Institutions and the International Court of Justice through Citizens for Global Solutions, the panel brought together leading voices in international law to assess both the accomplishments and shortcomings of the global adjudication system.

Event Description

The discussion recognized the successes of international judicial institutions as indispensable elements of the global peace and security architecture, while acknowledging that atrocities continued in nearly every region. Panelists welcomed the Pact for the Future’s commitment to comply with ICJ decisions and its inclusion of atrocity crimes—including the Crime of Aggression—as critical priorities. At the same time, the interactive dialogue confronted the shortcomings of the current judicial architecture and explored what reforms were needed to achieve the full universality and effectiveness of international courts and tribunals.

Speakers

• Jim Goldston, Executive Director, Open Society Justice Initiative
• Jocelyn Getgen Kestenbaum, Professor of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; Director, Benjamin B. Ferencz Human Rights and Atrocity Prevention Clinic
• Matias Hellman, Acting Head of Outreach, International Criminal Court
• Akila Radhakrishnan, Senior Advisor, Atlantic Council; Former Executive Director, Global Justice Center
• Jennifer Trahan, Clinical Professor, NYU Center for Global Affairs; Convenor, Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression
• Rebecca A. Shoot, Executive Director, Citizens for Global Solutions

Policy Focus

• Innovations and advancements of the International Criminal Court and the ICJ
• Achieving full universality and effectiveness of international judicial institutions
• Confronting threats to the independence and integrity of courts and tribunals
• The role of the Pact for the Future in strengthening global justice architecture
• Next steps for the international peace and justice framework beyond the Summit of the Future