2022 Rule of Law Webathon: Economic and Social Development

The universal commitment of the world’s lawyers to the Rule of Law inspired five major associations of international lawyers – AIJA Human Rights Committee, UIA, ABA International Law Section, Law Society of England & Wales and Inter-American Bar Association – to organize the second annual Rule of Law Webathon. This year’s 24-hour Rule of Law Webathon will focus on how economic and social development interrelates with the Rule of Law. Through this lens, the programs will address issues such as access to justice; rise of authoritarianism; climate change; women’s rights; the plight of refugees; civil liberties and fundamental freedoms; forced labor; independence of the judiciary and the legal profession; and freedom of the press. The twelve panels will span continents and time zones, with each panel addressing different aspects of the challenges related to the Rule of Law as a key factor of economic and social development. Each panel will be hosted and led by a legal society or bar association.

Our pledge to the Rule of Law inspires us to celebrate and defend it in every corner of the world. Find your topics, find your time zones, but most importantly, find your passion and join your fellow lawyers across the globe in learning about, promoting and defending the Rule of Law.

HOW TO JOIN

The Webathon is open and free to everyone.

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Tuesday May 10, 2022

Inter-American Bar Association (IABA) & Instituto dos Advogados Brasileiros (IAB)

The advancement of the Rule of Law at the national and international levels is essential to achieving economic growth and sustainable development. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 2012 United Nations Declaration on the Rule of Law. Building on the Declaration, UN Member States placed the Rule of Law, justice, and human rights at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. However, the implementation of the broadly accepted concept and definition of the Rule of Law has faced challenges in certain parts of the world. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, expanding conflicts, and escalating impacts of climate change threatening global prosperity, pose critical global challenges. To overcome those challenges, we need to advance universal adherence to the Rule of Law. An international expert panel will discuss current challenges to the Rule of Law, the differing perspectives, how failure to adhere to the universal principles of the Declaration impedes economic growth and sustainable development, and how societies are strongest when development is anchored in democracy, justice, human rights, and the Rule of Law.

Keynote Speaker
Luis Almagro, Secretary General, OAS

Moderator
Lourdes Venes, Attorney-at-Law, Lima, New York, and District of Columbia Bar.

Speakers
• Judd L. Kessler, President, IABA
• Jean Michel Arrighi, Secretary of Legal Affairs, OAS.
• Irina Paliashvili, Founding Member and Managing Partner at Ukrainian Legal Group
• Sydney Sanches, President of the Institute of Brazilian Lawyers

The Law Society of England and Wales

The World Social Report 2020, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), showed that income inequality has increased in most developed countries and some middle-income countries, with 40% of the population earning less than a quarter of income in the countries surveyed. Sagging economic growth is one consequence of the widening opportunity gap. While innovative approaches at a national level are crucial for addressing growing inequalities in healthcare, education, and other sectors, “concerted, coordinated and multilateral action” is needed to tackle major challenges affecting inequality within and among countries. This panel will focus on internationally coordinated solutions to reduce inequality based on income, political access, and social status.

Welcome remarks
Stephanie Boyce, President of the Law Society of England & Wales, United Kingdom

Keynote speaker
Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General  for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO

Moderator
Jeroen Ouwehand, Global Senior Partner at Clifford Chance

Speakers
• Yasmin Batliwala MBE, Chief Executive, Advocates for International Development (A4ID)
• Dr. Julinda Beqiraj, Maurice Wohl Senior Research Fellow in European Law
• Charlotte Goemans, Policy Analyst, Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Global Partnerships & Policies Division, OECD
• Professor Liz Grant, Assistant Principals of the University of Edinburgh, Professor of Global Health and Development
• Professor Jolene Skordis, Professor of Economics, UCL Centre for Global Health Economics

UIA (International Association of Lawyers) & Warsaw Bar Association

See Programme

See Programme

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The independence of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges–as well as the media and civil society organizations–is increasingly under attack  in many countries across the globe. Recognized as one of the main components of the rule of law, their independence is necessary to ensure the viability of economic and social development; healthy and sustainable economic and social development requires clearly defined rights and obligations of all stakeholders. Panelists will discuss the relationship between  independence and economic and social development and the role that  independent individuals and institutions play in promoting the rule of law.

Introduction
• Jacqueline R. Scott, Director General of UIA-IROL (UIA - Institute for the Rule of Law)
• Mikolaj Pietzrak, Dean of the Warsaw Bar Association

Opening remarks
Diego García Sayán, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (video)

Moderator
Wojciech Bagiński, Warsaw Bar Association

Speakers
• Pauline Adès-Mével, Spokesperson & Media Relations at Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
• Saïd Benarbia, Director of Middle East and North Africa Program of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
• Michał Chodorek, Warsaw Bar Association
• François Godbout, Programme Officer & International Relations at the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU)

American Bar Association (ABA) International Law Section & Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa (Mexico)

Why do democratic countries in Latin America fail in ending or substantially reducing poverty? Are formal democratic institutions—such as the separation of powers and constitutions— sufficient for achieving economic and social growth? What is the relationship between accountable governance, meaningful elections, individual rights and fundamental freedoms, and sustainable social and economic development? Our distinguished panelists will discuss how authoritarianism, corruption, and weak institutions destabilize societies, increase societal inequalities, create conditions for abuses of power and violations of human rights, and inhibit individual and social improvement. Learn about initiatives in the region that have been successful in curbing corruption, building accountable institutions, strengthening the rule of law, and fostering inclusive economic opportunities.

Wednesday May 11, 2022

UIA (International Association of Lawyers) & California Lawyers Association

The world is facing unprecedented economic, social, and democratic challenges, many of them exacerbated by the pandemic.  One impact of these dislocations is that they have worsened existing gender inequalities around the world. Evidence shows that, by placing women at the center of the Rule of Law and development agenda, societies  can increase efficiency in the management of their institutions and resources, which in turn engenders better governance and greater economic security. This panel will discuss the relationship between addressing gender inequities and protecting the Rule of Law, exploring how barriers to women’s economic success can affect broader aspects of economic and political instability.

Moderator
Jessica O. Laird, Munger, Tolles & Olson, Los Angeles, USA

Panelists
 • Harumi Hata, Shareholder at Buchalter, Los Angeles, California, USA
• Pauline Wright, Partner - PJ Donnellan & Co (AUSTRALIA) / Co-Chair, Human Rights Committee Lawasia
• Oyango Snell, CEO and Executive Director, California Lawyers Association
• Aaron Schildhaus, Partner at Martorello Schildhaus LLC, USA
 

UIA (International Association of Lawyers) & Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA)

See programme 

See programme 

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Forced labor, a grave human rights violation and a crime under international law, covers a broad array of coercive labor practices.  For years the UN Sustainable Development Goals have directly and indirectly sought to eradicate forced labor in all its forms. But many underlying causes of forced labor persist, and the number of victims has only increased as a result of the pandemic. This panel will discuss ongoing challenges arising from the continued scourge of forced labor, including an overview on the impact of the pandemic and obstacles to effective prevention, protection of victims, and remedies for the resulting harms. 

Introduction
Jacqueline R. Scott, Director General of UIA-IROL (UIA - Institute for the Rule of Law)

Opening remarks
Motoji Kobayashi, President of Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA)

Moderator
Yasushi Higashizawa, Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA)

Speakers
•  Shyam Divan, President-Elect of Lawasia
•  Bharati Pflug, Senior Specialist on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work at International Labour Organization (ILO)
•  Dato' Sri M Ramachelvam, Co-Chairperson of Malaysian Bar Council of Migrants, Refugees and Immigration Affairs Committee.
• Kimitoshi Yabuki, former Vice President of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA)

International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) & Emirates Lawyers Association

Our speakers will discuss the feasibility of limiting—and eventually reversing—the effects of climate change through international law and diplomacy, and the possible effects that a new “international Rule of Law on climate” could have on social and economic development.

Inter-American Bar Association (IABA)

In 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council endorsed the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, developed within the UN “Protect, Respect, and Remedy” framework. Guided by this framework, the panel will examine the important role of States and business enterprises in protecting human rights and upholding the Rule of Law, as well as the challenges in ensuring a right of access to effective remedies. The speakers will also explore the evolution from the UN Principles and self-regulation mechanisms to national due diligence laws, such as the novel French Duty of Vigilance Act passed in 2017 and the recently approved German Due Diligence Act, as well as the global impact of the EU’s approach.  

Moderators
• Stéphane Navacelle, Attorney-at-Law, Paris and New York Bar.
• Lourdes Venes, Attorney-at-Law, Lima, New York, and District of Columbia Bar

Speakers:
• Dante Pesce, Executive Director Vincular Center at PUCV-Chile, Former Member Working Group on Business and Human Rights for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,
• Emily Sims, Senior Specialist in the ILO Program on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.
• Louis Buchman, Attorney-at-Law, Paris and New York Bar.
• Hanns-Christian Salger, Attorney-at-Law, Frankfurt and New York Bar.

International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) & Kenya Bar

The debate over whether access to healthcare is a privilege or a right has raged for over a century. Indeed this conceptual struggle is reflected in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25) and the World Health Organisation's Constitution. While there is global consensus that human health – along with the conditions that protect health – is a fundamental right, access to healthcare often remains guaranteed only for the wealthy.  This panel will explore access to healthcare in Ethiopia, Kenya and Zimbabwe, and will examine the role of the Rule of Law in alleviating income and health inequities and, in particular, the role of lawyers in promoting the goal of guaranteed healthcare for all.

Moderator
Mbula Nzuki – ESG (Sustainability), Corporate/Commercial and Cyber Lawyer 

Panelists
• Blain Worku - Director of Programs, Presidential Gender Initiatives
• Sameera Hassan - Somali-American storyteller, communications strategist, and social entrepreneur
• SC John Chigiti - Partner at Chigiti and Chigiti Advocate
• Dr. Steve Adudans - Founder/CEO, Gear Health Systems
• Mr. Sternford Moyo – International Bar Association President

International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)

Using as a jumping off point the European Commission's first Rule of Law Report in 2021, this panel will address the Rule of Law in Central and Eastern Europe.  Offering a variety of viewpoints, speakers from different countries such as Belarus, Hungary, and Slovakia, will assess the question on the basis of their own local experiences. These varied perspectives will address judicial, political, and social aspects of the Rule of Law.  Recent events in the region will offer an interesting basis for discussion of the rise of authoritarianism, limitations on the freedom of speech, and the role played by the judiciary.

• Valentyn Gvozdiy, Vice President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association
• Paola Fudakowska, spoke-person of Trial International
• François Zimeray , human rights lawyer, former member of the European Parliament and French Ambassador-at-large for Human Rights
• Danaé Van der Straten Ponthoz, Head on Policy and Advocacy at Global Survivors Fund
• Anna Wyrzykowska, AIJA President and Partner at WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr sp. K,
• Clara Poglia, Partner at Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) & Paris Bar

The closing session of this conference cycle will allow a number of dynamic speakers and organizations to review themes that emerge from the prior panels with concrete illustrations of actions, solutions and best practices. How to act to advance the Rule of Law? What is the role of lawyers and bar associations in this mission? How can we better cooperate at the national and international levels? 

• Stéphane de Navacelle, Member of the Bar in New York (2005) and Paris (2008), founded Navacelle in 2010. Former member of the Paris Bar Council (2017-2019)
• Edmond Claude Frety, Former Secretary of the Conference of the Paris Bar, Former member of the Council of the Bar, General secretary of the International Observatory for lawyers in danger
• Yann AGUILA, Professor at Sciences Po Paris and partner in a Law Firm (Bredin Prat)
• Thierry ABALLEA,  Partner,  Member of the Paris Bar Council, Co-Chair M&A ACE Commission
• Stefan von Raumer, Founded Rechtsanwaltskanzlei von Raumer in 2001, Chair of the Human Rights Committee with the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE)

Find your topics, find your time zones, but most importantly, find your passion and join your fellow lawyers across the globe in learning about, promoting, and defending the Rule of Law. JOIN US!

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