The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) hosted a rule of law conference on March 28 at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC. The conference allowed ABA ROLI and external experts to explore trends in the promotion of the rule of law. Following opening remarks by professor Anthony Clark Arend of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, four panels discussed the role of technology in increasing access to justice, recent innovations in combating corruption, the relationship between rule of law and economic development, and the rule of law and the recent transitions in the Middle East and North Africa. Recordings of these panels are available below.
2012 Rule of Law Conference
Technology and Access to Justice
Technology holds significant potential for increasing access to justice. This panel will share examples of the ways in which technology has already contributed in this area, and, if better utilized, how technology can produce further gains. Does the democracy and governance community have realistic expectations about the potential of technology to increase access to justice and, more generally, to propel justice sector reform?
Sonja Gittens-Ottley, Manager of Yahoo! Business and Human Rights Program
Charles-Guy Makongo, ABA ROLI Country Director, Democratic Republic of Congo
Recent Innovations and Best Practices in Combating Corruption
Corrupt practices are typically deeply rooted, with the requisite political will to eradicate them in exceedingly short supply. Local reformers and donors have devoted both decades and billions of dollars to eradicate these practices. What is working? What are the trends in combating corruption? Do multilateral and treaty-based efforts hold promise (e.g., UNCAC)? How can civil society and the private sector play a more robust role in combating corruption?
Moderator: Homer Moyer, Miller & Chevalier
Panelist: Jonathan Gant, Policy Advisor, Global Witness
Panelist: Eric Stonecipher, ABA ROLI Asia Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser (Thailand)
The Role of Rule of Law in Economic Development
The rule of law is a potent force in advancing economic development; conversely, weak legal systems place enormous barriers not only on foreign investment but also on domestic actors capable of generating significant economic growth. This panel will discuss examples of countries that have been especially effective in transforming their business environments from being relatively inhospitable into magnets for domestic and foreign investment. Which donor interventions have been especially noteworthy? What are some lessons learned?
Moderator: Rob Boone, Director, ABA ROLI
Wade Channell, Senior Legal Reform Adviser at USAID Office of Economic Growth
After the Revolutions: Rule of Law and the Historic Transitions in the Middle East and North Africa
In most cases, post-revolutionary nations must begin an often decades-long process of building the rule of law. Post-Arab Spring countries will be no exception. What are the prospects for the transitioning countries in the Middle East and North Africa? What are the most significant impediments? Is it the military, the police, the lack of a rule of law culture, or perhaps a by-product of decades of authoritarian rule?
Moderator: Stephen McInerney, Executive Director, Project on Middle East Democracy
Panelist: Dr. Marina Ottaway, Director of the Middle East Program at Carnegie Endowment
Panelist: Perry Cammack, Professional Staff Member, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate
Panelist: Omar Badawi, Program Manager, ABA ROLI Middle East and North Africa Division
