doctors need the law too, World Justice

World Justice Forum 2008

The World Justice Project made its global public debut at the World Justice Forum, July 2-5, 2008 in Vienna, Austria.  The Forum brought together 450 governmental and non-governmental leaders from 83 nations and sixteen disciplines.  In plenary sessions and small breakout groups, Forum participants articulated how the rule of law affects their regions and disciplines and developed program plans to strengthen the rule of law. 

At the Forum, the WJP announced the formation of its new Opportunity Fund, which will provide grants to selected programs proposed by Forum participants that advance the rule of law through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Achievements To Date

The Forum built on a year and a half’s prior achievements by the World Justice Project (WJP):

Mainstreaming

The WJP utilizes international outreach meetings to “mainstream” rule of law advancement into the work of disciplines around the world, including such disciplines as architecture, engineering, environment, public health and public safety.

Scholarship

WJP-sponsored scholarship led by prominent scholars from the fields of economics, law, and political science examines why and how the rule of law matters to thriving communities.

Rule of Law Index

A new, comprehensive Rule of Law Index measures countries' adherence to the rule of law and identifies areas where a country's rule of law is weak.

ABA President William Neukom, former President of Ireland and President of “The Ethical Globalization Initiative” Mary Robinson, and former President of Romania Emil Constantinescu open the World Justice Forum, July 2 – 5 in Vienna Austria.
ABA President William Neukom, former President of Ireland and President of “The Ethical Globalization Initiative” Mary Robinson, and former President of Romania Emil Constantinescu open the World Justice Forum, July 2 – 5 in Vienna Austria.

Universal Principles

Four universal principles comprise the rule of law for purposes of the WJP:

  1. The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law;
  2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property;
  3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered and enforced is accessible, fair and efficient;
  4. The laws are upheld, and access to justice is provided, by competent, independent, and ethical law enforcement officials, attorneys or representatives, and judges who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

Additional Materials

Download the following document to access a wealth of additional materials about the WJP:

WJP Resource Kit (PDF)

Agenda, World Justice Forum (PDF)

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