IDRC co-hosts global roundtable on access to justice
Recognized as a fundamental right, access to justice is a cornerstone of democracy and an essential component of public trust. However, 5.1 billion people — or two-thirds of the world’s population — cannot access support to resolve justice problems, according to World Justice Project estimates.
The 2024 OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice will focus on strategies that prioritize the needs and experiences of individuals to address this global justice gap. This year’s roundtable will explore how bolstering access to justice can enhance democratic governance, and examine strategies to adapt justice systems in the face of challenges like digitalization and climate change, among other key themes.
IDRC-supported researchers at the roundtable will share insights and results from
- research that explores innovative and grassroots strategies to promote the rights of vulnerable groups
- the Justice Data Observatory, a global initiative to improve people-centred justice data collection
- strategies to protect rights in a changing climate
- research on technology-facilitated violence against women and online gender-based hate speech
Workshop on bolstering democratic governance
Grassroots, community-led legal-empowerment strategies, led by the people most affected by injustice, are essential to overcome challenges to democracy and justice. On the sidelines of the main event, IDRC is hosting a workshop on October 7 and 8 aimed at understanding how people-centred justice strategies bolster inclusive and democratic governance.
Recent years have seen a weakening of democracy around the world, accompanied by a documented decline in the rule of law and justice. Alongside IDRC’s research partners, workshop participants are sharing insights on the urgent need for people-centred justice approaches that empower marginalized communities and address democratic decline worldwide.
A portion of the OECD Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice will be live-streamed here.