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On July 9, 2013, the World Justice Forum IV opened to a dynamic multidisciplinary panel featuring leaders from across disciplines, regions, and generations. Discussants spoke about how the rule of law serves as the foundation of functional societies, and its role in safeguarding and expanding human dignity for all. 

"We've got a lot of work to do. It's good work. Let's get to it." - William H. Neukom, Founder & CEO, The World Justice Project

A look around the world at the latest rule of law events taking place in September: New round of Kosovo Dialogue A new round of  talks between the Republic of Serbia and the partially recognised Republic of Kosovo will take place on September 8th, 2013. The Belgrade–Pristina negotiations began in March 2011, and they are the first negotiations between the two entities since Kosovo declared independence.

The excerpt below comes from our Innovations in Rule of Law - A Compilation of Concise Essays report produced by WJP and Hiil.

The practice of female genital cutting, or female genital mutilation (FGC/M), has been in existence for centuries. Although oftentimes associated with Islam, the practice does not fall under Sharia law and is not practiced by many Islamic groups. Additionally, many non-Muslim communities utliize the practice.

Providing access to justice is the lifework of human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, rule of law heroine, and the face of Zimbabwe's legal governance crisis, as depicted in feature documentary film "Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law." In spite of beatings by police, Beatrice Mtetwa has courageously defended

Blair Glencorse from the Accountability Lab reports on corruption and accountability in Liberia for the 10th anniversary of peace. This article originally appeared on Article Arguments Online posted here.    A decade ago on August 18th, 2003, the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement brought Liberia’s 14 year civil war to an end.

At World Justice Forum IV, panelists Jimmie Briggs, founder of the ManUp Campaign; Sabiha Husic, director of MedicaZenica; renowned scholar and activist Nawal el Saadawi; and Angela Pinzon, Professor of Medicine at University El Rosario, examined the relationship between the status and rights of women and the pervasive health issues that they face, discussing efforts to improve access to health services, clean water and sanitation, as well as commodities in the supply chain to integrate services of health, education and nutrition.

On August 12, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was honored with the 2013 ABA medal, its highest honor, in recognition of “distinguished service by a lawyer to the cause of American jurisprudence.”   “I am so deeply grateful to you for this award, and I am humbled by those who have received it in the past, to join their company in some small measure, to continue the work that the ABA has championed,” said Secretary Clinton.

Last week, the Skoll World Forum, in partnership with WJP and Thompson Reuters Foundation, launched a special series on global justice featuring participants of our World Justice Forum IV (convened last month in The Hague, Netherlands). Speakers were asked to reflect on a wide range of issues including land rights, access to water, criminal justice, and more.   The series concluded today and can be found here: Skoll World Forum: A Special Series on Global Justice.

Since June 30, when millions of Egyptians took to the street in protest, Egypt has found itself in another period of political instability with a tragic loss of life and intense turmoil.

At World Justice Forum IV our panel food experts Angus Kelly of Syngenta; Roy Prosterman, Founder of Landesa; Anne Roulin, VP - R&D Sustainability Manager of Nestlé; and Irit Tamir, Senior Campaigns and Advocacy Advisor, Oxfam discussed opportunities to build a better food system, how to ensure greater economic prosperity, how to develop a better life for impoverished farmers, and how to achieve more stable food system for generations to come.

On day two of the World Justice Forum IV, past opportunity fund grantees spoke about their projects and their journey from idea to implementation, collaboration to collective advancement.    Moderated by Sandra Elena, Justice Program Director at CIPPEC and manager of the FORES project (2008), panelists included Matthew Bugher, Myanmar Project Manager at Justice Base; Ruha Devanesan, Executive Director at PeaceTones; Marnie Gustavson, Executive Director at PARSA; Zanaa Jurmed, Coordinator at national CEDAW Watch Network; and Nemata Ma

At the World Justice Forum IV, Nemata Majeks-Walker, Founder of the 50/50 Group, is interviewed by Radha Friedman, Director of Programs at the WJP, about working with tribal leaders and informal justice institutions to help women access their civil rights within the formal justice framework, increase political participation and representation in government, and combat gender bias.   To increase awareness of women’s legal rights, the 50/50 Group translated the three gender acts –The Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act, the D

At the World Justice Forum IV, renowned artists including photographer Reza Deghati, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, singer Manny Answar, and filmmaker Roberto Hernandez discussed the ways in which art can be used to educate people about their rights, the mediums that artists employ to raise awareness about rights, and the effects when an artist transforms into a representative of the people or the government.   Artists and their work hold the power to transcend social, economic, and educational differences and bring political discourse to a gl

As we observe International Day of the World's Indigenous Persons, take time to read the story of one of the world's least known indigenous independence movements.

2013 Theme: "Indigenous peoples building alliances: Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements" The International Day of the World's Indigenous People (9 August) was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 – 2004).

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.”