The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative is pleased to launch its 2020 Annual Report on its work around the world. In 2020,ABA ROLI had nearly 500 staff in more than 40 countries with pro bono volunteerswho contributed $515,536 in pro bono legal assistance, aswell as third-party contributorswho in fiscal year 2020 contributed $308,799 in additional cost share.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, ABA ROLI adapted its programming to include online and virtual components. For example, when pandemic-related restrictions prevented in-person workshops in Lebanon, ABA ROLI pivoted to virtual mediums for their criminal justice strengthening program in the country. Our international experts led workshops with corruption and financial crimes focus areas. As a result, local Lebanese judges and prosecutors were able to train online.
This annual report also features videos of interviews we conducted with our staff in the Philippines (here and here) and Barbados to discuss our programming their respective countries. There is also an embedded video of a virtual discussion held by the Grameen Foundation and ABA ROLI, focused on evidence from the recent Reducing Incidence of Child Labor and Harmful Conditionsof Work in Economic Strengthening (RICHES) Project global research, as well as the proposed solutions that women's economic empowerment (WEE) actors can employ to mitigate the unintended consequences of their work.