Originally published on the CGS blog on August 11, 2007.
I just attended a very interesting session here at the ABA meeting. The international section pulled together a large group of foreign lawyers for a series of talks from some of the brightest minds in the organized bar. Speakers at the session (technically 2 back to back sessions) included current ABA President Karen Mathis and President elect Bill Neukom.
Ms. Mathis gave a very powerful speech on the need to build an international network of lawyers capable of advancing justice across the globe during this time of crisis. Her talk was well received by the group. The lawyers in the room were drawn from 25 or so countries and are involved in the hard work of advancing the rule of law on the ground often with little outside support. Issues such as ratification of the ICC and formation of national bar associations were discussed.
I happened to meet a former student and close friend at the first session – Hauwa Ibrahim. She is a Nigerian human rights lawyer who won the European Parliament‘s Sakharov Prize in 2005. She was a key lawyer for Amina Lawal, a Nigerian woman who was sentenced to death by stoning for conceiving a child out of wedlock. Hauwa helped to save Amina’s life in a very high profile case that required terrific legal skills and a keen cultural sensitivity. Hauwa told me that she has spent the last few weeks visiting scores of countries trying to work out out to organize the Nigerian bar. This type of global to local push using prominent activists (local voices if you will) is the only way to really advance the rule of law globally.
Bill Neukom also gave an important speech at the first session. He discussed a new ABA initiative called the World Justice Forum. I am still seeking more information but the essence seems to be a commitment from the ABA to work with lawyers and non-lawyers across the globe to determine a systematic way of advancing the rule of law. I found two pieces of particular interest: First the description of a “World” effort really embraced the CGS notion of our interconnected world. Second: on the strategic side, the desire to engage and work with non-lawyers on this effort was a welcome change in approach.
I’ll look to get more details and pass them along. I really believe that this could link up very well with the CGS mission and vision.
UPDATE:
Here is some more info from an ABA document:
World Justice Project will consist of five near-term programs:
- Multidisciplinary outreach conferences to involve other fields in the importance of the rule of law, learn from them about how the rule of law affects their work, and create the basis for working together;
- A Rule of Law Index that will measure countries? adherence to the rule of law and identify areas in need of improvement;
- Definitive scholarship about the relationship between the rule of law and peace, economic development, reduced corruption, public health, and accessible education;
- A public education campaign to raise awareness of the rule of law’s importance and bring it into the ?mainstream? of various disciplines? and professions? work in the United States; and
- The World Justice Forum, a large international multidisciplinary conference where high-level leaders will share information, develop new networks, and incubate new projects to advance the rule of law.
