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On 10 July of the World Justice Forum IV, Judge Song Sang-Hyun, president of the International Criminal Court, delivered a keynote address and reiterated his belief that we are ready for great advances, but that advances in justice will require hard work.   Judge Song's keynote address underscored the importance of our undertaking: “The force of law must prevail over the law of force.”

On 9 July, the Security and Law Enforcement panel at World Justice Forum IV explored the ways in which law enforcers approach and defend against local national threats; what happens when local/national borders blur; and how to defend the people’s rights in addition to the people.

At the World Justice Forum IV, Ruha Devanesan, Executive Director of the Internet Bar Organization, is interviewed by Radha Friedman, Director of Programs at the WJP, about the Peacetones project incubated at the innaugural World Justice Forum to improve the economic prospects of musicians from disadvantaged areas through empowering them to create, protect, and sell their music throughout the world.    The PeaceTones Initiative helped to produce four albums: PeaceTones Brazil, PeaceTones Haiti, PeaceTones Sierra Leone, and Peace

The Economic and Legal Empowerment panel at the World Justice Forum IV explored how civil society, government, and private actors can work in concert to empower vulnerable and poor citizens through a robust rule of law.  

The contemporary interpretation of the doctrine of the rule of law refers to a cluster of ideas, the best known being related to the principle of legality, prescription of procedural standards in the administration of justice, the separation of powers, promotion of material justice and individual rights and the maintenance of public order (Fombat, 2005).

A look around the world at the latest rule of law events taking place in August The ILO's Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) will come into effect starting in August 2013 The MLC provides comprehensive rights and protection at work for the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers.

On July 11, The World Justice Forum Panel on Environmental Governance explored the different elements of effective governance to form an integrated and self-reinforcing system, with clear, implementable and enforceable laws, meaningful public engagement, access to environmental information, and more.   The panel also considered recent developing country innovations in strengthening environmental governance, how progress on governance in the environmental sector can be measured, and how efforts to strengthen environmental governance can be

The Disaster Relief Panel at the World Justice Forum IV examined challenges and possible solutions, as well as new instruments available for providing disaster victims with access to relief services.   Post-disaster environments present local and international governments with myriad complex legal challenges.

India may be the world’s largest democracy, but it is still governed by a vast and powerful bureaucracy. For much of India’s history, that bureaucracy has been largely opaque and unaccountable, legitimized by leftover vestiges of colonial rule, such as the Official Secrets Act (OSA) of 1923.

The Technology panel at the World Justice Forum IV discussed the benefits and complications that accompany technological advances, and also explored what doors technology might open next.   As technology expands into new fields, people discover innovative ways to access and share information that can improve the standard of living for people all over the world.

At the World Justice Forum IV, Tarh Frambo, Country Director of the Global Citizen's Initiative in Cameroon, is interviewed by Radha Friedman, Director of Programs at the WJP, about the program he incubated with support from WJP to address corruption in the public health care system of Cameroon.    Pervasive corruption in Cameroon’s public health system has left millions of at-risk adults and children without access to basic health services.

At the Youth Leaders panel at the World Justice Forum IV, panelists discussed the evolution of youth involvement in global affairs, investigated how large scale unemployment in youth populations contributes to economic and political instability, and explored what lies ahead as new technologies and voices emerge.   In response to growing challenges around the world, youth leaders are making an immediate impact in shaping the global agenda.

At the Ethical Supply Chains panel at the World Justice Forum IV, participants discussed the relationship between productive business and labor rights.   While international supply chains help meet global consumer demand, inexpensive goods often come at the expense of workers and their communities. Too often, inexpensive labor results in human rights violations and environmental degradation.

On July 11, the Competitive Advantage panel at the World Justice Forum IV explored rule of law factors that contribute to investor confidence, the impact of weak or non-existent rule of law on economic growth and job creation, assessment tools used by the business community to determine candidate markets, and more.

The Human Trafficking panel at the World Justice Forum IV explored initiatives from the corporate sector, international law enforcement, and state government to use the tools of the legal market to combat trafficking in persons.

World Justice Forum IV participant Sopheap Chak introduces us to the Cambodia Center for Human Rights, an initiative working to cultivate the rule of law where it is struggling to take root.  Cambodia is a transitional society where democracy and the rule of law remain fragile. The judiciary is seen as the most corrupt national institution and the courts are regularly used to silence criticism of the political elite and to protect well-connected violators of human rights.

Karen Tse is the CEO and founder of International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), whose mission is to provide legal representation for victims who are abused and tortured by the police. While serving as a panelist on the Security and Law Enforcement panel at the World Justice Forum IV, she was asked whether she views police officers as her enemy.

At the largest World Justice Forum to date, more than 550 innovators and dignitaries from over 100 countries discussed strategies to advance the rule of law worldwide. The event concluded with the launch of 48 new initiatives.