YouTube video by World Justice Project

The Section is a proud sponsor of the 2025 World Justice Forum and this page outlines environmental justice-related resources that attendees will find useful.

At the World Justice Forum 2025 in Warsaw, the Rule of Law Award was presented to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo of South Africa for his fearless leadership of the State Capture Commission and his lifelong defense of judicial independence. Introducing the award, Judy Perry Martinez, Vice President of the World Justice Project, praised Zondo’s “tireless commitment to justice” and reminded the audience that he has shown the world “that no individual, no matter how powerful, is above the law.” Poland’s Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar, himself a past Rule of Law Award laureate, reflected on the deep parallels between Poland’s democratic transition and South Africa’s post-apartheid constitutional journey. He noted how both countries drew inspiration from one another in the 1990s “first wave of constitutionalism,” building systems grounded in human rights, dignity, and the rule of law. Praising Chief Justice Zondo’s leadership of the State Capture Commission, Bodnar emphasized that such extraordinary efforts demand “passion, hard work, and individuals with the highest level of professionalism and integrity”—qualities that Zondo has exemplified throughout his career. In his acceptance speech, Chief Justice Zondo reflected on South Africa’s constitutional journey and the resilience of its judiciary, noting cases where the courts held presidents and parliaments accountable. He closed with a powerful warning: “State capture is the antithesis of the rule of law… Those in South Africa and outside must help ensure our country never goes back to that era.” About the World Justice Forum (WJF) The WJF, hosted by the World Justice Project, is a premier global event dedicated to advancing the rule of law worldwide. It brings together leaders from government, civil society, legal, and business sectors to address pressing global challenges, including access to justice, anti-corruption, human rights, and democratic governance. The Forum fosters innovative solutions and practical actions to strengthen justice systems, promote accountability, and build fairer societies. #WJF2025 #RuleOfLaw #RuleofLawAward #RaymondZondo #JudyPerryMartinez #AdamBodnar #Poland #SouthAfrica #Democracy #GoodGovernance #PublicIntegrity #JudicialIndependence #StateCapture #AntiCorruption #Accountability #HumanRights #SocialJustice #JusticeSystem #GlobalJustice #Leadership #SouthAfricaJustice

The 2025 Anthony Lewis Prize for Exceptional Rule of Law Journalism was awarded to CamboJA News for their outstanding reporting on justice and accountability. 🏆 At this special ceremony, John Nery presented the award to Coby Hobbs and Vy Nop, accepting on behalf of the team and delivering an inspiring speech on the importance of independent journalism. WJP recognized CamboJA News for their fearless journalism which exposes corruption, human trafficking, and abuse of power in Cambodia. Learn more: https://worldjusticeproject.org/our-work/engagement/wjp-anthony-lewis-prize-exceptional-rule-law-journalism About the World Justice Forum (WJF) The WJF, hosted by the World Justice Project, is a premier global event dedicated to advancing the rule of law worldwide. It brings together leaders from government, civil society, legal, and business sectors to address pressing global challenges, including access to justice, anti-corruption, human rights, and democratic governance. The Forum fosters innovative solutions and practical actions to strengthen justice systems, promote accountability, and build fairer societies. #WJF2025 #RuleOfLaw #AnthonyLewisPrize #RuleOfLawJournalism #CamboJANews #JohnNery #CobyHobbs #VyNop #Transparency #HumanRights #Accountability #IndependentJournalism #Democracy #Justice #WJP

📉 Civic space is in decline globally. The World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index reveals that 84% of countries are moving in the wrong direction. But there is a way forward. In this compelling discussion, experts from civil society, independent organizations, and the media share powerful strategies. They reveal how they are managing the decline of civic space and offer actionable ways to improve the rule of law, build stronger communities, and empower citizens. Watch now to learn how we can build resilience and turn the tide. Speakers: Moderator: Margaret Levy, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Stanford University -Sirpa Rautio, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights -Aidan Eyakuze, CEO, Open Government Partnership -Amelia Diaz Struck, Executive Director, Global Investigative Journalism Network -Flavia Pellegrino, Executive Director, Pacto Pela Democracia About the World Justice Forum (WJF) The WJF, hosted by the World Justice Project, is a premier global event dedicated to advancing the rule of law worldwide. It brings together leaders from government, civil society, legal, and business sectors to address pressing global challenges, including access to justice, anti-corruption, human rights, and democratic governance. The Forum fosters innovative solutions and practical actions to strengthen justice systems, promote accountability, and build fairer societies. #WJF2025 #RuleOfLaw #CivicSpace #CivilSociety #Democracy #HumanRights #Accountability #WJChallenge #Resilience #OpenGovernment #InvestigativeJournalism #FRA #EU #PactopelaDemocracia #MargaretLevy #SirpaRautio #AidanEyakuze #AmeliaDiazStruck #FlaviaPellegrino #WJP

Why do people come to the World Justice Forum? Because it’s the largest global convening on the rule of law—bringing together lawyers, judges, activists, policymakers, and civil society leaders to share ideas, collaborate, and find common ground. This year's forum in Warsaw tackled the global decline of rule of law and its impact on human rights, to exploring the implications of AI, to advancing people-centered justice that puts citizens’ needs at the heart of justice systems—participants left inspired and connected. 🤝 At the WJForum 2025, new friendships were made, strategies were shared, and a global community committed to building fairer, more just societies grew stronger. #WJF2025 #RuleOfLaw #JusticeForAll #HumanRights #AI #PeopleCenteredJustice #Democracy

According to the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, 📉 59% of countries have seen declines in checks on government power since 2017. Can we turn the tide? At the 2025 World Justice Forum in Warsaw, we explored how to strengthen checks and balances in times of democratic backsliding, authoritarian threats, and declining civic trust. In this dynamic plenary conversation, experts from government, human rights, and international development share how their institutions are responding to these challenges and what lessons can be drawn for the future of justice. Speakers: -Moderator: Blair Glencorse, Founder & Co-CEO, Accountability Lab -Camilo D. Benítez Aldana, Comptroller General of Paraguay -Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission -Utaara Mootu, Member of the National Assembly, Parliament of Namibia -Roby Senderowitsch, Governance Global Practice Manager for Public Administration, World Bank This session explores how independent institutions and oversight mechanisms can safeguard the rule of law, foster transparency, and rebuild public trust. The 2024 Youth Engagement Challenge winner, Politize! was also showcased towards the end of the session. About the World Justice Forum (WJF) The WJF, hosted by the World Justice Project, is a premier global event dedicated to advancing the rule of law worldwide. It brings together leaders from government, civil society, legal, and business sectors to address pressing global challenges, including access to justice, anti-corruption, human rights, and democratic governance. The Forum fosters innovative solutions and practical actions to strengthen justice systems, promote accountability, and build fairer societies. #WJF2025 #RuleOfLaw #ChecksAndBalances #GoodGovernance #PublicIntegrity #Transparency #HumanRights #Accountability #JudicialIndependence #Democracy #CamiloBenítez #AlysonKilpatrick #UtaaraMootu #RobySenderowitsch #BlairGlencorse #Paraguay #Namibia #NorthernIreland #UnitedKingdom #WorldBank #AccountabilityLab #NIHumanRightsCommission #ParliamentOfNamibia #Governance #YouthEngagement #Brazil #Politize #WJChallenge