ABA Rule of Law Initiative Program Book 2011

Introduction

Since 1990, the work of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has been guided by our commitment to strengthening legal institutions, to empowering communities and to improving the lives of everyday citizens around the world. Through our overseas network of field offices, we have learned much, and we fully appreciate the day-to-day realities, as well as the political and other formidable challenges, of implementing international rule of law programs. Still, we remain steadfast in our belief that rule of law promotion is a critical undertaking, one that brings about concrete improvements in the lives of ordinary people, particularly those most in need. 

Together with our local partners—including host country governments, professional associations, law schools, universities, and a range of civil society and other local organizations—we are helping to create stronger, more fair and transparent legal institutions, which empower communities and citizens alike. We work to promote a better understanding of, and respect for, the rule of law in a range of countries around the world.

In Africa, our programs help fight the impunity that has surrounded systemic rape as a weapon of war, enhance the ability of law schools to prepare young lawyers, and boost the integrity and skills of judiciaries.  

In Asia, our programs are also wide ranging. We work to combat human trafficking, to enhance judicial training and efficiency, to foster public interest law and to support legal professional associations.

In Europe and Eurasia, ABA ROLI has initiated and sustained relationships with critical partners, some dating back two decades. Among other accomplishments, these networks allow us to implement programs that help establish bar associations, that support the implementation of judicial reforms, that operate civic education programs for schoolchildren and that combat domestic violence, racism and xenophobia.

Our current programs in Latin America and the Caribbean focus on combating transnational organized crime and on providing training on the accusatorial system for judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers and police. By promoting international norms of investigative techniques, evidentiary issues and jury trials, we aim to foster a more fair and efficient administration of justice.

And finally, our partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa allow our programs to promote a rule of law culture among the youth, to provide skills-based practical training for judges and lawyers, to develop legal clinics that provide services to those most in need and to establish regional initiatives to support women in the legal profession. 

These and the other programs presented in this publication illustrate our continuing belief that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the most pressing problems facing the world today, including poverty, conflict, corruption and disregard for human rights. My colleagues and I hope you find these materials useful in our common goal of advancing the rule of law around the world.