Agenda

Opening

Monday, June 23

Day 1

Tuesday, June 24

Day 2

Wednesday, June 25

Day 3

Thursday, June 26

Side Events

Friday, June 27
Filter by activity

Registration

08:00 – 16:00 (CET)

Lobby

The Ibero-American Convention on Access to Justice: First Binding International Agreement on Access to Justice

08:00 – 09:00 (CET) – By invitation only

Warsaw Hall II

COMJIB, Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ), Grassroots Justice Network, Ibero-American Alliance for Access to Justice, Pathfinders for Peaceful Just and Inclusive Societies, and the World Justice Project present: Since 2021, the Conference of Ministers of Justice of Ibero-American Countries has been working on a draft Ibero-American Convention on Access to Justice. This binding regional instrument seeks to promote shared standards for ensuring access to justice, enriched by both European and Latin American perspectives. With decades of experience and soft law guidelines in place, Ibero-America is well-positioned to take this next step. The event will begin with brief presentations by supporting organizations, followed by an interactive Q&A to encourage audience engagement and discussion of the Convention’s goals and impact.

Speakers

Florencia Abed Dickson

Luciana Bercovich

Marco Fandiño

Ángel Salvador Ferrer

Fernando Marani

Laura Ospina

Alejandro Ponce

Maria Fernanda Rodriguez 

Type

BREAKFAST SESSION

Opening Ceremony

09:00 – 10:15 (CET)

Warsaw Hall 

Leaders from the Government of Poland, European Commission, World Justice Project, and civil society will meet on the plenary stage to offer opening remarks and contribute their vision and commitments to accountable governance and the rule of law. 

Speakers

Adam Bodnar

Mary Beth Goodman

William C. Hubbard

Michael McGrath

Maria A. Ressa

Christopher Stephens

Type

PLENARY

Coffee Break

10:15 – 10:45 (CET)


Warsaw Hall Foyer

Type

NETWORKING

Understanding the Global Rule of Law Recession

10:45 – 12:00 (CET)

Warsaw Hall

Opening Plenary: A conversation framing the Forum’s themes and key questions for the days ahead: what is driving the rule of law recession, and what can be done to reverse this trajectory in the context of increasing authoritarian trends?

Speakers

Anne Applebaum

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Clare Ovey

Margaret Satterthwaite

Type

PLENARY

Lunch

12:00 – 13:00 (CET)

Warsaw Hall Foyer

Defending the rule of law through the use of human rights law - exploring connections and synergies

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall II

Organized by: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The session will start with a panel discussion which will set the scene and introduce key concepts on how human rights can support the rule of law. This will be followed by an interactive part where participants will contribute with their knowledge, experience and questions on the link between fundamental rights & the rule of law in small groups. The session will wrap up by bringing insights together in plenary and suggesting ways forward.

Speakers

Elene Amiranashvili

John Morijn

Márta Pardavi

Robert Jan Uhl

Michal Wawrykiewicz

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Building Resilience: Mobilizing Private Capital for Social Good

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Light Room

Organized by: Social Impact Alliance for Central and Eastern Europe. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Central and Eastern Europe has made significant economic progress. However, investments in building a resilient social impact ecosystem have not been developing fast enough. Only 0.5% of the mainstream investment market in Europe is invested for impact, likely even less in the highly profit-oriented CEE market. Business has an important role to play but it cannot work in isolation – leaders from businesses, governments, academia and civil society must work together to find solutions. Only then can true resilience be achieved. What’s the role of business? How can companies get engaged? What infrastructure and processes can be leveraged to build resilience? We invite you to join our roundtable discussion, organized with support from PZU Foundation.

Speakers

Anna Korzeniewska

Maia Mazurkiewicz

Jeffery McMillan

Atanas Politov

Konrad Siwinski

Roxana Vitan

Max von Abendroth

Marcin Wiśniewski

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Judicial Integrity: Challenges and Opportunities for Strengthening Transparency and Public Trust in Asia

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall IV

Organized by: UNDP, TIJ, OGP, UNODC. This session explores challenges and opportunities for strengthening judicial integrity and public trust with a focus on the wider Asian region. The side event will address key issues like corruption, political interference, and gender bias while highlighting the impact on access to justice, the rule of law, and human rights. Through panel and roundtable discussions, it will foster dialogue, share best practices, and promote collaboration to enhance transparency, accountability, and trust in legal institutions.

Speakers

Kittipong Kittayarak

Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier

Revai Makanje Aalbaek

Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla

Muhammad Rizaldi

Judge Razi Sikder Mahmudur

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Strategic Litigation and the Role of the Judiciary in Protecting Democracy

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall III

Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP). WJP brings together litigators and civil society actors from MENA, Africa, Latin America and Asia to exchange knowledge about their experiences in pursuing strategic litigation to protect democracy, understand serious challenges facing impactful litigation and explore opportunities for cross-regional or cross-country collaboration and knowledge sharing. This working session will discuss how the independence of the judiciary affects the future of democracy and how strategic litigation could be an effective tool for engaging judges in debates concerning political issues, whether in their capacity as victims of authoritarian practices or as guardians of the fundamentals of democratic processes.

Speakers

James A. Goldston

Martha Karua

Mai El-Sadany

Mohammad Nizamuddin Pasha

Andrea Reyes

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

A.I. and the Rule of Law: Opportunities and Risks in the Digital Age

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall V

Organized by: World Justice Project. Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments deliver services, ensure justice, and engage citizens. This panel brings together leaders from government, technology, civil society, and academia to explore AI’s real-world applications in the public sector, including courts, social services, and elections. Panelists will discuss how AI can improve access, transparency, and efficiency, while also addressing urgent risks such as bias, data privacy, surveillance, and deepening inequality. With a focus on institutional safeguards, regulatory frameworks, and ethical standards, the session will offer actionable insights for using AI responsibly in support of democratic governance and the rule of law.

Speakers

Susan Brison

Antony Cook

Ian McDougall

Ana María Montoya

Regina Waugh

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Financing and Budgeting for Justice and Rule of Law

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Meeting Room 2

Organized by: World Justice Project. This session will explore how effective financing and budgeting can advance the rule of law and support people-centered justice. Panelists will discuss practical tools like the Justice Financing Framework, the EU’s Conditionality Regulation, and the Multiannual Financial Framework as mechanisms to align funding with democratic standards and justice outcomes. The session will highlight the importance of sustained, flexible financing for civil society organizations, especially in contexts facing shrinking civic space and rising authoritarianism. It will also address how recent shifts in the international financing landscape are impacting rule of law outcomes, and how groups are adapting by identifying alternate funding streams and new collaborators. Drawing on global and regional experiences, the session will examine how strategic budgeting and advocacy can drive sustainable progress in justice and rule of law.

Speakers

Eva Antoniou

Khaled Emam

Blair Glencorse

Mark Lewis

Ross Maclaren

Themba Mahleka

John Romano

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Coffee Break

14:30 – 15:00 (CET)



Warsaw Hall Foyer

Type

NETWORKING

Fixing the Rule of Law by Bending It? Lessons From Poland

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Light Room

Organized by: Democracy Reporting International. Since October 2023, the new Polish centrist ruling coalition has undertaken to repair the rule of law in the country, restore judicial independence, and reverse damage to constitutional institutions incurred during eight years of anti-democratic rule. In doing so, the Polish government has resorted to various legal means, some of which raised eyebrows in the legal world. Is such a utilitarian approach to the rule of law something the liberal establishment should baulk at – or perhaps it’s the only way to deal with entrenched institutions? This roundtable will shed light on one of the fascinating dilemmas arising from the Polish experiment in the rule of law restoration and examine its consequences for countries that might face similar travails in the near future.

Speakers

Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer

Krzysztof Izdebski

Jakub Jaraczewski

John Morijn

Márta Pardavi

Laurent Pech

Maria Skóra

Anna Wójcik

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Standing Up to Corruption in Africa

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall III

Organized by: Chandler Foundation. Corruption is a pervasive, systemic challenge in many African countries. It undermines governance, erodes the rule of law, and hinders responses to climate change, conflict, and insecurity. Yet there is reason for optimism: several nations have achieved measurable progress through bold reforms, courageous leadership, resilient civil society, and investigative media. These successes offer lessons for reframing and revitalizing anti-corruption efforts. This panel will foster solutions by: identifying common drivers and enablers of corruption in African governance systems; examining operational and political challenges faced by anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the media; showcasing emerging strategies and successful initiatives across the continent; exploring how to shift from a narrow focus on prosecution toward building sustainable cultures of integrity and ethical leadership.

Speakers

Kamel Ayadi

Janet L. Banda

Hon. Justice Evans Mweembani Hamaundu

Rueben Lifuka

Ketakandriana Rafitoson

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Intergenerational Dialogue on Youth Leadership and Accountable Governance

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Meeting Room 2

Organized by: Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. This working session will bring together Young Justice Leaders and justice sector leaders for an intergenerational dialogue. It will explore youth leadership, justice, democracy, and governance—focusing on challenges, innovation, and amplifying marginalized voices. The session will highlight the vital role of young leaders in accountable governance. By combining the insights of seasoned advocates with fresh perspectives, it will show how youth will advance democracy and justice in their contexts. This dynamic platform will foster collaboration and learning, showcase youth-led initiatives, and offer insights for the justice sector’s future. The moderated session will use an open fishbowl format to promote active participation.

Speakers

Giuliano Borter

Patricia Peace Ejang

Leah Guyot

Kathryn Grace Hulseman

Eva Langbehn

Abbas Luyombo

Hon. Alpha Sesay

Anoushka Sinha

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

How Legal Empowerment can Deepen Democracy

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall II

Organized by: Namati and Legal Empowerment Fund. The rise of authoritarianism and closing civic space poses significant threats to the work of civil society, social movements, and justice defenders. Moreover, the very foundations of legal empowerment – respect for human rights and the rule of law – are under attack, as part of an authoritarian «playbook of repression.» This session brings together grassroots justice defenders from Argentina, Kenya, the Philippines, and Indonesia to share a playbook of justice to counter the playbook of repression. From legal empowerment groups with decades-long experience fighting repression to youth activists rising up to meet urgent challenges, the global movement for grassroots justice holds critical lessons for defending and deepening democracy through legal empowerment.

Speakers

Florencia Abed Dickson

Pratiwi Febry

Sheila Formento

Vivek Maru

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Justice System Response to Extreme Weather Events and Other Disasters

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall V

Organized by: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This session will examine current and emerging legal needs and justice challenges posed by extreme weather events and other disasters, and explore effective and adaptative solutions to address them. Panellists will also discuss the role of the justice system when citizens hold governments accountable for their actions and inactions in preventing and responding to climate change, and addressing the enforcement of environmental regulations. The session will also highlight the importance of data collection in understanding the needs arising from climate challenges and shaping effective responses.

Speakers

Aitor Cubo Contreras

Maaike de Langen

Marta Kożuchowska-Warywoda

Justice (retd.) Madan B. Lokur

Clare Manuel

Phiset Sa-ardyen

Rebecca Sandefur

Tatyana Teplova

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Under Pressure: Protecting Media Freedom in the EU and Beyond

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Warsaw Hall IV

Organized by: Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). In recent years, even stable democracies have faced growing threats to the rule of law. Within the EU, some member states are seeing a troubling decline in democratic standards. This panel focuses on media freedom, often among the first targets in times of democratic backsliding. We will explore how the erosion of the rule of law impacts journalists’ rights and media independence, including SLAPPs, impunity for violence, and financial or regulatory pressure on critical outlets. The panel will also highlight civil society efforts to defend media freedom, their use of EU tools like the Rule of Law Mechanism, and challenges faced in both EU and candidate countries.

Speakers

Ena Bavčić

Luisa Chiodi

Jonathan Day

Serena Epis

Oliver Money-Kyrle

Joanna Szymanska

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Coffee Break

16:30 – 16:45 (CET)



Warsaw Hall Foyer


Type

NETWORKING

Rule of Law Award

16:45 – 17:15 (CET)

Warsaw Hall

The World Justice Project will present the 2025 Rule of Law Award in recognition of extraordinary rule of law achievements by an individual, institution, or organization.

Speakers

Adam Bodnar

Judy Perry Martinez

Type

PLENARY

DAGADANA & Trupa Trupa in Concert

19:00 – 21:00 (CET)

Music Week Poland, SAMA Music & Art and World Justice Project present: A powerful concert featuring two groundbreaking acts from Poland and Ukraine. DAGADANA fuses Slavic folk, jazz, and electronica into an electrifying celebration of cultural unity, with vocals, bass, and toys blending into a joyful sonic experiment. Trupa Trupa, hailing from Gdańsk, offers a darker lens—melding post-punk, psych-rock, and poetic lyrics to confront memory, conflict, and the human condition. Together, they create a musical dialogue rooted in resilience and cross-border connection. 

The concert will be held at ZAikS, housed within the Zaluski Library.

Location: Zaluski Library, Hipoteczna 2, 00-092 Warsaw

Ticketed event for registered Forum participants only. To reserve a free ticket, visit: https://forms.gle/zkDqMCcmJx4auJqU8.

Music Week Poland and World Justice Project present: DAGADANA & Trupa Trupa in Concert

19:00 – 21:00 (CET)

Join us for a powerful concert featuring two groundbreaking acts from Poland and Ukraine. DAGADANA fuses Slavic folk, jazz, and electronica into an electrifying celebration of cultural unity, with vocals, bass, and toys blending into a joyful sonic experiment. Trupa Trupa, hailing from Gdańsk, offers a darker lens—melding post-punk, psych-rock, and poetic lyrics to confront memory, conflict, and the human condition. Together, they create a musical dialogue rooted in resilience and cross-border connection. 

Location: Zaluski Library, Hipoteczna 2, 00-092 Warsaw

Coffee Break

10:15 – 10:45 (CET)

Coffee Break area

Type

NETWORKING

Coffee Break

14:30 – 15:00 (CET)

Coffee Break area

Type

NETWORKING

Coffee Break

16:30 – 16:45 (CET)

Coffee Break area

Type

NETWORKING

Opening Ceremony

09:00 – 10:15 (CET)

Leaders from the Government of Poland, European Commission, World Justice Project, and civil society will meet on the plenary stage to offer opening remarks and contribute their vision and commitments to accountable governance and the rule of law.

Speakers

Adam Bodnar

Mary Beth Goodman

William C. Hubbard

Michael McGrath

Christopher Stephens

Type

PLENARY

Opening Plenary: Understanding the Global Rule of Law Recession

10:45 – 12:00 (CET)

A conversation framing the Forum’s themes and key questions for the days ahead: what is driving the rule of law recession, and what can be done to reverse this trajectory in the context of increasing authoritarian trends?

Speakers

Anne Applebaum

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Type

PLENARY

Presentation of the Rule of Law Award

16:45 – 17:30 (CET)

The World Justice Project will present the 2025 Rule of Law Award in recognition of extraordinary rule of law achievements by an individual, institution, or organization.

Type

PLENARY

Rule of Law Award

16:45 – 17:15 (CET)

Warsaw Hall

The World Justice Project will present the 2025 Rule of Law Award in recognition of extraordinary rule of law achievements by an individual, institution, or organization.

Speakers

Judy Perry Martinez

Type

PLENARY

Fixing the Rule of Law by Bending It? Lessons from Poland

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Organized by: Democracy Reporting International. Since October 2023, the new Polish centrist ruling coalition has undertaken to repair the rule of law in the country, restore judicial independence, and reverse damage to constitutional institutions incurred during eight years of anti-democratic rule. In doing so, the Polish government has resorted to various legal means, some of which raised eyebrows in the legal world. Is such a utilitarian approach to the rule of law something the liberal establishment should baulk at – or perhaps it’s the only way to deal with entrenched institutions? This roundtable will shed light on one of the fascinating dilemmas arising from the Polish experiment in the rule of law restoration and examine its consequences for countries that might face similar travails in the near future.

Speakers

Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer

Krzysztof Izdebski

Jakub Jaraczewski

John Morijn

Márta Pardavi

Laurent Pech

Maria Skóra

Anna Wójcik

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Intergenerational Dialogue on Youth Leadership and Accountable Governance

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Organized by: Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. This working session will bring together Young Justice Leaders and justice sector leaders for an intergenerational dialogue. It will explore youth leadership, justice, democracy, and governance—focusing on challenges, innovation, and amplifying marginalized voices. The session will highlight the vital role of young leaders in accountable governance. By combining the insights of seasoned advocates with fresh perspectives, it will show how youth will advance democracy and justice in their contexts. This dynamic platform will foster collaboration and learning, showcase youth-led initiatives, and offer insights for the justice sector’s future. The moderated session will use an open fishbowl format to promote active participation.

Speakers

Giuliano Borter

Patricia Peace Ejang

Leah Guyot

Kathryn Grace Hulseman

Eva Langbehn

Abbas Luyombo

Anoushka Sinha

TBC

TBC

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Justice System Response to Extreme Weather Events and Other Disasters

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Organized by: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This session will examine current and emerging legal needs and justice challenges posed by extreme weather events and other disasters, and explore effective and adaptative solutions to address them. Panellists will also discuss the role of the justice system when citizens hold governments accountable for their actions and inactions in preventing and responding to climate change, and addressing the enforcement of environmental regulations. The session will also highlight the importance of data collection in understanding the needs arising from climate challenges and shaping effective responses.

Speakers

Maaike de Langen

Marta Kożuchowska-Warywoda

Rebecca Sanderfur

Tatyana Teplova

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

How Legal Empowerment Can Deepen Democracy

15:00 – 16:30 (CET)

Organized by: Namati and Legal Empowerment Fund. The rise of authoritarianism and closing civic space poses significant threats to the work of civil society, social movements, and justice defenders. Moreover, the very foundations of legal empowerment – respect for human rights and the rule of law – are under attack, as part of an authoritarian «playbook of repression.» This session brings together grassroots justice defenders from Argentina, Kenya, the Philippines, and Indonesia to share a playbook of justice to counter the playbook of repression. From legal empowerment groups with decades-long experience fighting repression to youth activists rising up to meet urgent challenges, the global movement for grassroots justice holds critical lessons for defending and deepening democracy through legal empowerment.

Speakers

Florencia Abed Dickson

Pratiwi Febry

Sheila Formento

Vivek Maru

Margaret (Meg) Satterthwaite

Waringa Wahome

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Strategic Litigation and the Role of the Judiciary in Protecting Democracy

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Organized by: Open Society Justice Initiative. Open Society Justice Initiative brings together litigators and civil society actors from MENA, Africa, Latin America and Asia to exchange knowledge about their experiences in pursuing strategic litigation to protect democracy, understand serious challenges facing impactful litigation and explore opportunities for cross-regional or cross-country collaboration and knowledge sharing. This working session will discuss how the the independence of the judiciary affects the future of democracy and how strategic litigation could be an effective tool for engaging judges in debates concerning political issues, whether in their capacity as victims of authoritarian practices or as guardians of the fundamentals of democratic processes.

Speakers

James A. Goldston

Martha Karua

Mai El-Sadany

Mohammad Nizamuddin Pasha

Julio Saavedra

Type

WORKING SESSIONS

Artificial Intelligence and the Rule of Law: Opportunities and Risks in the Digital Age

13:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Organized by: World Justice Project. Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments deliver services, ensure justice, and engage citizens. This panel brings together leaders from government, technology, civil society, and academia to explore AI’s real-world applications in the public sector, including courts, social services, and elections. Panelists will discuss how AI can improve access, transparency, and efficiency, while also addressing urgent risks such as bias, data privacy, surveillance, and deepening inequality. With a focus on institutional safeguards, regulatory frameworks, and ethical standards, the session will offer actionable insights for using AI responsibly in support of democratic governance and the rule of law.

Speakers

Antony Cook

Patrick Kilbride

Ana María Montoya

Regina Waugh

Type

WORKING SESSIONS
Opening, Monday, June 23
Day 2, Wednesday, June 25

Get updates on the Forum and more:

Florencia Abed Dickson

Co-director, Asociación Civil por la Igualdad y la Justicia (ACIJ)

Florencia Abed Dickson is co-director of the Argentine NGO Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ), supervising issues related to inclusivity, accessibility, and democracy in urban spaces and access to justice. Before joining ACIJ, Florencia worked for more than seven years in the public sector in Argentina, particularly in social and urban integration issues, where she contributed to the implementation of land regularization processes in marginalized neighborhoods. Florencia is a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires and has a master’s in public policy from the University Torcuato Di Tella, in Buenos Aires.

Luciana Bercovich

Senior Manager, Grassroots Justice Network

Luciana is a Senior Manager at the Grassroots Justice Network, convened by Namati. She leads the Network’s work in Latin America and contributes to shaping a collective agenda for learning and action in the field of legal empowerment. Previously, she served as Co-Director of ACIJ — the Civil Association for Equality and Justice in Argentina. A human rights lawyer, Luciana holds a Law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, a Master’s in Urban Development from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), and an MS in International Affairs and Development from The New School in the United States. She has authored books, papers and op-eds about social rights, access to justice, gender equality and housing rights.

Marco Fandiño

General Coordinator, Conference of Ministers of Justice of Ibero-American Countries

Marco Fandiño is the General Coordinator of the Conference of Ministers of Justice of Ibero-American Countries (COMJIB). Previously, he worked as an international civil servant at the Justice Studies Center of the Americas (CEJA), supporting judicial reform processes in Latin America. He also served as the head of the Cooperation and International Affairs Unit and the head of the Studies Unit of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights of Chile. He has been a consultant for UNDP, OSF, UNODC, the Public Criminal Defense Office of Chile, the Ministry of the Interior of Uruguay, and the Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala. Marco is a lawyer from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain and has a master’s degree in governance and human rights from the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Ángel Salvador Ferrer

Researcher and Coordinator, Torture Prevention Program, DOCUMENTA

Ángel María Salvador Ferrer is a researcher and coordinator of the Torture Prevention Program at DOCUMENTA in Mexico. He has led initiatives such as the Observatory against Torture and a Permanent Dialogue between civil society and the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture. He has authored several guidelines and led numerous workshops to support public institutions in investigating and prosecuting torture and related crimes. Ángel is a lawyer with a master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Barcelona.

Fernando Marani

Program Director, Justice, Inclusion, and Equality, NYU’s Center on International Cooperation

Fernando Marani is Program Director of Justice, Inclusion, and Equality at NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. He works with the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. A career diplomat from Argentina, he served four terms as a senior member in the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly. Since 1997, he has worked on international law, human rights, sustainable development, and youth issues. He holds a law degree from Universidad Nacional del Litoral and was a scholar at Argentina’s National Foreign Service Institute and a fellow at the Rio Branco Institute in Brazil.

Laura Ospina

Senior Program Officer, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

Laura Ospina is a Senior Program Officer for the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. Laura has supported a series of development projects (with USAID, UNDP, INL, SIDA, GIZ) as well policy design and implementation initiatives in Colombia, Rwanda, Guatemala, Ghana, and Moldova, on strengthening formal and community justice initiatives, capacity building of public sector officials to provide more effective, efficient, people and gender-oriented justice services, as well as supporting local capacities and empowerment of armed conflict victims. Laura is a lawyer from Los Andes University in Colombia, has an LLM in International Human Rights Law and Criminal Justice from Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands, and an MSc in International Development from Tulane University.

Alejandro Ponce

Executive Director, World Justice Project

Dr. Alejandro Ponce is Executive Director of the World Justice Project, where he leads global efforts to advance the rule of law through research and strategic initiatives. As Chief Research Officer (2012–2025), he developed the WJP Rule of Law Index and key data products, including justice diagnostics, environmental indicators, and the global justice gap study. He also led WJP’s expansion in Mexico and the EU. A former economist at the World Bank and researcher at Yale, his work on behavioral economics, financial inclusion, and justice has been published in top journals. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University.

Maria Fernanda Rodriguez 

Senior Fellow NYU’s Center; Lead, Technical Secretariat, Iberoamerican Alliance on Access to Justice

María Fernanda Rodríguez is a Senior Fellow at NYU’s Center on International Cooperation and Lead of the Technical Secretariat of the Iberoamerican Alliance on Access to Justice. She is also advisor to the Council of the National Magistracy in Argentina, and specialized consultant in human trafficking for the IOM. Previously, María Fernanda served as Vice-Minister of Justice of Argentina and Under-Secretary-General for Access to Justice. She was also Sherpa and co-chair of the Pathfinders Task Force on Justice, working on the drafting of the Justice for All report. María Fernanda is a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires and has a Diploma in Human Rights of the American University Washington College of Law.

Adam Bodnar

Minister of Justice, Republic of Poland

Adam Bodnar is the Minister of Justice of Poland, a legal scholar, and human rights advocate. He holds a PhD and habilitation in law, and earned an LLM in comparative constitutional law from Central European University. He served as Poland’s Ombudsman (2015–2021) and is Dean of the Faculty of Law at SWPS University, visiting professor at the University of Cologne, and senior fellow at CEU’s Democracy Institute. He has advised the UN, EU, and co-founded several NGOs. A published author, he is a recipient of the Rafto Prize and WJP’s Rule of Law Award. In 2023, he was elected Senator representing Warsaw’s 44th district and the Polish diaspora. 

Mary Beth Goodman

Deputy Secretary-General, OECD

Mary Beth Goodman serves as the Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, overseeing portfolios on environment, public governance, and development, including sustainable development, climate finance, anti-corruption, and the Blue Dot Network. From 2021 to 2023, she served as U.S. Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security, and earlier as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Development and Democracy at the National Security Council. A former diplomat in Pakistan, Mali, and Washington, D.C., she also co-founded a civil society organization focused on corruption and human rights in Africa. Before her diplomatic career, she practiced international trade law participating in free trade agreement negotiations and advising on trade compliance matters.

William C. Hubbard

Co-founder & Board Chair, World Justice Project

William C. Hubbard is the Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the World Justice Project, and the Dean of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He served as President of the American Bar Association (2014-2015). He previously chaired the ABA’s House of Delegates and is a past president of the American Bar Foundation and American Bar Endowment. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he is also an Honorary Master of the Bench of Middle Temple in London. He also served on the University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees (1986-2020) and was Chairman (1996-2000). He received the 2007 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award and the 2016 Burton Foundation’s «Leadership in Law» award.

Michael McGrath

Commissioner, Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, European Commission

Michael McGrath is the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection (2024–2029) of the European Commission. In this role, he leads the EU’s efforts to uphold democratic values, safeguard judicial independence, and protect consumer rights. Formerly Ireland’s Minister for Finance, and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, he has held several senior government positions, contributing to fiscal policy, economic recovery, and social protections. Commissioner McGrath is known for his pragmatic leadership and strong commitment to transparency, accountable governance, and the rule of law. He focuses on reinforcing EU legal frameworks and advancing democratic resilience across Member States.

Maria A. Ressa

2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Co-founder and CEO, Rappler

Maria Ressa is the co-founder and CEO of Rappler and a 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, honored for defending freedom of expression. With nearly 40 years of journalism experience in Asia, she has faced political persecution under the Duterte regime. She is a Professor of Practice at Columbia University and co-leads its Technology Initiative. Maria previously led ABS-CBN’s news division and served as CNN’s bureau chief in Manila and Jakarta. She has received global recognition, including Time’s Person of the Year (2018), 100 Most Influential People (2019), and BBC’s 100 Women. Her books include Seeds of Terror, From Bin Laden to Facebook, and How to Stand up to a Dictator.

Christopher Stephens

Senior Vice President & General Counsel World Bank Group

Christopher Stephens is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the World Bank Group, overseeing the Legal Vice Presidency and advising on legal aspects of operations, development finance, anti-corruption, corporate governance, and risk. He serves as principal legal advisor to the Board of Governors, Executive Directors, and senior management. Previously, he was General Counsel of IFC (2019–2022), General Counsel of ADB, and a Managing Partner at Orrick. He leads with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and impactful legal support to advance the World Bank Group’s mission.

Anne Applebaum

Pulitzer-prize winning historian

Anne Applebaum is a staff writer for The Atlantic and a Pulitzer-prize winning historian. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and the SNF Agora Institute. After graduating from Yale University, she was a Marshall Scholar at the LSE and St. Antony’s College, Oxford. She was a Washington Post columnist for more than fifteen years and a member of the editorial board. She has also worked as the Foreign and Deputy Editor of the Spectator magazine, and as a columnist at Slate and the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs. She has lectured at Yale, Harvard, Stanford and Columbia Universities, as well as Oxford, Cambridge, London, Heidelberg, Maastricht, Zurich, Humboldt, Texas A&M, Houston and others.

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Secretary General, International IDEA

Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora has been Secretary-General of International IDEA since 2019 and is a Senior Fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue. With over 30 years of experience in democratic governance, he has served as Costa Rica’s Second Vice President, Minister of National Planning, and OAS Secretary for Political Affairs. He has held fellowships at the Brookings Institution and taught at Georgetown, George Washington University, and UT Dallas. He holds a Law degree from the University of Costa Rica, an MA from Essex University, and a PhD from Oxford University. An expert in political finance, elections, and democratization, his award-winning research includes Paying for Democracy in Latin America. In 2007, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Clare Ovey

Director of Human Rights, Council of Europe

Clare Ovey became Director of Human Rights on 1 August 2024. A London native, she studied law at Cambridge University and qualified as a solicitor in England, specializing in criminal law. She worked on law reform at the Law Commission before joining the European Court of Human Rights in 1995. In 2015, she began working on the execution of the Court’s judgments, first with the Secretariat of the Committee of Ministers and then as Head of the Department for the Execution of Judgments from 2020. Ovey is widely recognized for her expertise on the European Convention system and is co-author of a leading textbook on the subject.

Margaret Satterthwaite

UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers

Margaret Satterthwaite was appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers in October 2022. She is a Professor of Clinical Law at NYU School of Law, where she directs the Global Justice Clinic and co-directs the Bernstein Institute and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice. Her work focuses on access to justice, legal empowerment, and human rights innovation. She has worked globally with communities and litigated in international forums. A graduate of NYU School of Law, She clerked for a US Court of Appeals judge and subsequently for judges of the International Court of Justice, and held roles with Amnesty International USA, WHO, the World Bank. She has been a member of the boards of directors of several human rights organizations.

Elene Amiranashvili

Co-founder, Our Rule of Law Foundation

Elene Amiranashvili completed an LLB in International and European Law, specializing in Technology Law, with an exchange semester at ELTE University in Budapest. She is currently pursuing a Dutch Law degree at the University of Groningen. In her first year, she co-founded the Our Rule of Law (ORoL) Foundation, which was awarded the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize. ORoL is dedicated to safeguarding the rule of law and democracy through education, engagement, and advocacy. Its mission is to mobilize youth to develop Pan-European policy solutions and create opportunities for students to engage with leading experts on democratic backsliding and civic education in Europe.

John Morijn

Professor of Law and Politics, University of Groningen; Fellow, Hertie School

John Morijn is Endowed Professor of Law and Politics in International Relations at the University of Groningen and Henrik Enderlein Fellow at Hertie School Berlin. He is also a member (and former chair) of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s Scientific Committee and the Founding Mentor of the Our Rule of Law Foundation, a for-students-by-students democracy education project.

Márta Pardavi

Сo-Chair, Hungarian Helsinki Committee; Co-Lead, RARE Programme

Márta Pardavi is co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a leading human rights NGO based in Budapest. She focuses on the threats to the rule of law and civil society in Hungary and in the EU. She co-leads the Recharging Advocacy for Rights in Europe (RARE) programme, supporting human rights defenders to build stronger organisations and alliances for action on civic space and rule of law in the EU. Márta holds a law degree from ELTE Law School and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Hertie School. She is a receipient of several international human rights awards, is a member of the Council of Europe’s Expert Council on NGO Law, and serves on a number of international NGO boards.

Robert Jan Uhl

Project Officer, EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)

Robert-Jan Uhl leads the Fundamental Rights Agency’s project on fundamental rights and the rule of law. He also works on civic space, disability issues and the link between EU funds & fundamental rights. He previously worked for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as legislative support officer, advisor on freedom of religion or belief and human rights officer. He started his career at the Netherlands section of the International Commission of Jurists. He has masters degrees in law from Leiden University (Netherlands) and in human rights and democratization from the Inter-University Centre for Human Rights (EIUC) in Venice.

Michał Wawrykiewicz

Member of the European Parliament; Co-founder, Free Courts initiative

Michał Wawrykiewicz is a lawyer and newly elected Member of the European Parliament (2024) from Greater Poland, representing the Civic Coalition and sitting with the EPP Group. He is a full member of JURI and D-US, and a substitute on LIBE (vice-coordinator) and EUDS. A leading voice in Poland’s rule of law movement, he co-founded «Free Courts» and KOS, representing persecuted judges before Polish courts, the CJEU, and ECHR – including in the landmark A.K. case. He co-founded DemoCrisis to counter authoritarian threats. He has received multiple awards, including the European Citizens’ Prize and the Rule of Law Award from UIA, and was a Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy.

Anna Korzeniewska

Founder and CEO, Social Impact Alliance for Central and Eastern Europe

Founder and CEO of the Social Impact Alliance for Central and Eastern Europe and the Scholarship Fund for the Talented. The first Polish woman to earn a Professional Certificate in Fundraising from New York University, complemented by an Executive MBA. Jury member in regional impact challenges, Forbes contributor, and Global Philanthropy Fellow. A strategic thought partner for global and regional stakeholders, with a deep understanding of the region’s context, actors, and solutions. Anna promotes social responsibility as an integral part of personal and business decision-making.

Maia Mazurkiewicz

CEO, PZU Foundation; Co-founder, Alliance4Europe

A lawyer, President of the PZU Foundation, co-founder of Alliance4Europe, and host of the program «Anatomy of Disinformation» on TVP World. An expert in the field of countering disinformation and communication, with 15 years of experience in political management, foreign affairs, and communication across public administration, business, and civil society organizations.

Jeffery McMillan

Director of Brand, Marketing, and Communications, PwC Central and Eastern Europe

Jeffery McMillan is Director of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for PwC Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), leading a regional team of over 30 professionals and coordinating efforts across 20+ countries. Originally from Canada, he is committed to building international communities and promoting the role of business in addressing societal challenges, with a focus on sustainable growth in the CEE region. Jeffery has served as a juror for the Baltic Communications Awards and the Emerging Europe Summit & Awards. He is active in the alumni network of the Center for Leadership in Poland and is an alumnus of the Advanced Leadership Program (2022).

Atanas Politov

Europe Director, Positive Impact and Pro Bono, Dentons

Atanas Politov is Dentons’ Europe Director for Positive Impact and Pro Bono, based in the Budapest office. Since joining in 2016, he has coordinated pro bono efforts across continental Europe and led Dentons Europe’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and ESG program. Previously, he was Director for Programs at PILnet, managing global pro bono and access to justice efforts. He has led anti-discrimination and legal aid reform projects in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, and developed PILnet’s pro bono programs in China and across Europe. Atanas holds a law degree from Sofia University, an LL.M. from Columbia Law School (2002), and a degree in Theology and Philosophy from Plovdiv University.

Konrad Siwinski

Head of Research, Social Impact Alliance for Central and Eastern Europe; Senior Partner at Minds & Roses

A researcher, social activist, team leader, and academic lecturer. As the Head of Research at the Social Impact Alliance for Central and Eastern Europe he is actively involved in projects at the intersection of business and social impact. He also lectures on Marketing Research at the Faculty of Management at the University of Warsaw. As a Senior Partner at Minds & Roses, he leads a research team. Previously, he spent 10 years as a Managing Consultant at Kantar. He specializes in innovation, strategy, and experience design, combining analytical expertise with a deep understanding of business realities. Konrad leads a working group on education within the Polish Society for Market and Opinion Research. He trains for long-distance running. You can also find him at Dziki Warszawa basketball games.

Roxana Vitan

President, Romanian-American Foundation

Roxana Vitan is an accomplished senior executive with over 25 years of experience developing and managing high-performing programs, companies, and investments in transitional economies. After 12 years as a senior member of the investment and management teams at the Romanian-American Enterprise Fund, she was appointed to lead the Romanian-American Foundation from its start-up phase. She holds a Master’s degree in Cybernetics, Statistics, and Planning from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, and an MBA from the Romanian-Canadian MBA Program, administered by the University of Quebec, Montreal.

Max von Abendroth

Senior Advisor, Social Impact Alliance, Central and Eastern Europe and Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF)

Senior Advisor for the Social Impact Alliance for Central and Eastern Europe. Senior Advisor Europe & Germany at MDIF, a global 300mio USD blended capital fund sustaining media freedom. He is the Chair of the Philanthropy in PPPs Chapter at the World Association of PPP Units and Professionals, WAPPP, in Geneva (CH) as well as the Lead Public-Private-Philanthropy Collaboration at The Partnering Initiative, TPI, in Oxford (UK). Max is the former Executive Director of Dafne (today Philea). He is passionate about strengthening collective, systemic impact by ensuring networks are well-connected, well-resourced, and aligned toward shared goals. He lives with his family in Brussels.

Marcin Wiśniewski

Country Officer, Poland, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Country Officer at the Warsaw office of International Finance Corporation (IFC) responsible for IFC’s operations in Poland. Purpose driven leader and finance professional with a diverse career in the financial, energy and public sectors, passionate in making tangible and sustainable impact for the broad society and local communities. Marcin holds a MA in Finance and Accounting from the Warsaw School of Economics Fellowship of the Association of Charted Certified Accountants (FCCA) designation.

Kittipong Kittayarak

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Thailand Institute of Justice

Professor Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). A distinguished legal expert and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, he is recognized for his leadership in criminal justice reform, restorative justice, and advancing the rule of law in Thailand. Dr. Kittipong previously served as TIJ’s Executive Director, elevating its international standing within the UN network. He holds advanced law degrees from Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell, and continues to contribute to national and international justice initiatives through various prestigious board and advisory roles. 

Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Philippines

Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier was appointed in 2019 as the 182nd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in the Philippines. She chairs the 2025 Philippine Bar Examinations, she’s President of the Philippine Women Judges Association, VP of the International Association of Women Judges, co-chairs an ASEAN working group on children’s cross-border disputes and leads several other key committees like on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns and the one on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary. Formerly an Assistant Solicitor General for 14 years and an Appellate Justice for 12, she previously graduated Valedictorian (Magna Cum Laude) from UST Law and Philippine Normal College (PNC). Her awards include the 2025 PDI Women of Power and 2024 Thomasian Outstanding Alumni, and the prestigious 2008 Ulirang Ina Award.

Revai Makanje Aalbaek

Global Lead, Rule of Law Justice and Security, UNDP

Revai Makanje Aalbaek is the Global Lead for Rule of Law Justice and Security for UNDP. She has served in various capacities, including as UN Women Acting Country Representative for Zimbabwe, Deputy Country Representative UN Women Papua New Guinea, Team Leader Governance and Gender equality with UNDP Zimbabwe and UNDP Team Leader for Effective Governance for the Pacific Region based in Fiji. Revai started her career with Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, a civil society organization working on legal empowerment, access to justice and human rights protection for marginalized groups. She has worked extensively in Africa and the Pacific. She holds an LLM in Human Rights from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and a Masters in Women’s Law from the University of Zimbabwe.

Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla

Supreme Court Justice, Nepal

Hon. Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla is Nepal’s senior-most Puisne Supreme Court Justice since 2016. A leading voice for judicial independence and human rights, advocating for women’s property rights, criminalizing marital rape & domestic violence, and decriminalizing abortion. Her judgments reinforce judicial accountability, environmental protection, gender and electoral justice. She was a legislator in Nepal’s First Constituent Assembly who helped draft the constitution, and a member of the UN Committee Against Torture. She chairs the Supreme Court’s Planning and Research Committee, spearheading judicial digital transformation and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion initiatives in the judiciary. She holds an LL.M. from Delhi University and a MPA from Harvard.

Muhammad Rizaldi

Adjunct Researcher, Indonesia Judicial Research Society (IJRS)

Muhammad Rizaldi is Adjunct Researcher at the Indonesia Judicial Research Society (IJRS). He graduated from the Faculty of Law of Universitas Indonesia and subsequently pursued his Master degree in Law from the University of Melbourne. As a researcher, Rizaldi has been involved in court reform projects in Indonesia since 2013. He joined the Supreme Court of Indonesia’s team in designing an implementation guidelines for article 11 of UNCAC regarding measures to strengthen integrity and to prevent opportunities for corruption among members of the judiciary. In IJRS, his research area include issues such as access to justice, anti-corruption, and vulnerable group rights. Recently, he is active as the Program Officer in IJRS to advocate for the institutionalization of Open Government Indonesia

Judge Razi Sikder Mahmudur

Justice, High Court Division of Supreme Court, Bangladesh

Judge at High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Obtained LL.M. and LL.B. (Hons) from University of Dhaka. Enrolled as an Advocate of the District Court, the High Court Division and the Appellate Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2005, 2007 and 2021 respectively. Elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court Division on 09 October 2024. Participated in Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Court Competition held at Dhaka on 15th September 2005 and was awarded with the best memorial prize. Represented team Bangladesh in First Henry Dunant Memorial Regional Moot Court Competition for South Asia held in 2005 and was awarded the best memorial prize.

James A. Goldston

Executive Director, Open Society Justice Initiative

James Goldston is executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative, which promotes the rule of law and rights protection worldwide through advocacy, litigation, and research. A leading human rights and criminal law practitioner, he has litigated landmark cases before the European Court of Human Rights and UN treaty bodies on counterterrorism, discrimination, and torture. He previously served as a senior trial attorney at the ICC, legal director of the European Roma Rights Centre, and prosecutor in New York’s Southern District. He holds degrees from Columbia College and Harvard Law School and has taught at Columbia, NYU, and CEU.

Martha Karua

Senior Counsel and Former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Kenya

Hon. Martha Karua is a leading Pan-African jurist and democracy advocate with four decades of experience defending rule of law, human rights, and judicial reform. Known as Kenya’s “Iron Lady», she served as Minister of Justice (2005–2009), where she championed constitutional reforms and anti-corruption measures. She played a key role in Kenya’s post-election peace process and helped bring evidence to the ICC. Karua has defended political prisoners, advanced women’s rights, and continues cross-border legal advocacy, including in Uganda and Tanzania. A 2027 presidential contender, she remains a steadfast voice for judicial independence and democratic accountability across Africa.

Mai El-Sadany

Executive Director, Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy

Mai El-Sadany is Executive Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) and a human rights lawyer focused on the MENA region. She has advanced creative accountability pathways, leveraged international mechanisms, and published accessible analysis on legal and constitutional issues. She previously served as TIMEP’s Managing Director and Legal and Judicial Director, and has worked at ICNL, RFK Human Rights, and the Carnegie Endowment. Mai is on the Steering Committee of the World Movement for Democracy and the board of HuMENA. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown and a B.A. from Stanford. In 2024 and 2025, she was named one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People by Washingtonian.

Mohammad Nizamuddin Pasha

Advocate and Head, Independent Law Chamber

Over the past decade, Advocate Nizamuddin Pasha has argued some of the defining cases concerning civil rights in courts in India, particularly the Supreme Court. Some of his landmark appearances include the challenge to electoral bonds as an opaque system of political funding, the hijab ban in schools and colleges in Karnataka, sectarian violence in Manipur, and petitions asking the Supreme Court to take action against hate speech. He served at the office of the Attorney General for India under the previous government. For the last several years, he has been heading an independent law chamber.

Andrea Reyes

Congresswoman, Guatemala

Andrea María Reyes is a Guatemalan attorney and notary committed to human rights, transparency, and civic participation. She holds a Master’s in Human Rights and Democratization from UNSAM and a Bachelor’s in Legal and Social Sciences from Universidad Rafael Landívar. In 2023, she was elected to the Guatemalan Congress (2024–2028) with Movimiento Semilla, where she held key legal and electoral roles. She has advised civil society on constitutional litigation, legal reform, and oversight mechanisms, and served as anti-corruption attorney for CristoSal. Reyes brings legal expertise and a strong ethical commitment to democratic transformation.

Susan J. Brison

Susan and James Wright Prof. of Computation and Just Communities, Dartmouth College

Susan J. Brison is the Susan and James Wright Professor of Computation and Just Communities and Professor of Philosophy at Dartmouth College, where she directs the Wright Center for the Study of Computation and Just Communities. She has held visiting positions at Tufts, NYU, and Princeton, and was a Mellon Fellow at NYU and a member of the Institute for Advanced Study. She is author of Aftermath: Violence and the Remaking of a Self and co-editor of Free Speech in the Digital Age. Her work appears in Ethics, Signs, Legal Theory, and The New York Times Magazine, among others.

Antony Cook

Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft

Antony Cook has over 30 years of experience in the tech sector and more than 20 years at Microsoft. He is Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, overseeing 380+ legal and government affairs professionals in 50+ countries. His team supports Microsoft’s global commercial sales and develops legal solutions to advance business goals and benefit communities. Previously, Antony led Microsoft’s legal affairs in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa from bases in Singapore, Istanbul, and Dubai. He is Chair of the National Center for APEC, a Board member of the World Justice Project, and serves on the Advisory Board of Singapore Management University School of Law.

Ian McDougall

Executive Vice President and General Counsel, LexisNexus

Ian McDougall joined LexisNexis in 2004 as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel where he oversees the legal function for the group. Mr. McDougall sits on the United Nations Rule of Law Steering Committee and is a member of the UN General Counsel Advisory Board. Until Mr. McDougall’s move to New York he was a Board Director and Trustee for U.K. charity Peaceful Place, which is dedicated to providing support to sufferers of early-onset dementia. He was also appointed as judge in the Barrister’s Disciplinary Tribunal and is a broadcast cricket commentator in association with the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

Ana María Montoya

Director of Data Analytics, World Justice Project

Ana María Montoya is Director of Data Analytics at the World Justice Project. She leads data analysis, research, and operations for WJP’s global, thematic, and country-specific reports, and supports survey design, methodology, and proposal development. Ana María holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University and B.A. and M.A. degrees from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia). Her research focuses on land restitution and rule of law in post-conflict settings. She has worked with LAPOP, the Colombian Inspector General’s Office, and USIP, where she was a Minerva Peace and Security Scholar. She also collaborates with Duke’s DevLab and the Women’s Rights After War Project at LSE, and has led evaluations of USAID development programs in Colombia.

Regina Waugh

Senior Global Advisor, International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Regina Waugh is a Senior Global Advisor at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), where she leads work on gender equality and provides expertise on rule of law, electoral dispute resolution, and democratic trust. She previously served over a decade in U.S. public service, focusing on human rights, women’s empowerment, and LGBTQI+ rights. Regina was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. State Department and later served as Director for Human Rights and Gender at the White House National Security Council and Chief of Staff in the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues. She holds a BA, MPP, and JD from UC Berkeley and is a member of the California Bar.

Eva Antoniou

Policy Officer, European Partnership for Democracy

Eva Antoniou joined the European Partnership for Democracy in July 2023 and works as a Policy Officer. She is responsible for the advocacy strategy and the organisation’s position on the Defence of Democracy Package and the activities related to the Rule of Law at the EU level. She is an EU-qualified lawyer and has obtained her LL.M. in “International and European Public Law” from KU Leuven. Before joining EPD, she worked as a Policy Assistant in the LIBE and PEGA Committee of the European Parliament. Other experiences include legal training at the Ministry of Justice in Greece, working with various law firms, and completing a traineeship at the Embassy of Greece in Belgium.

Khaled Emam

Executive Manager, Justice Call

Khaled Emam is a human rights lawyer from Egypt and Executive Manager of Justice Call, a nonprofit empowering youth in the MENA region to lead peacebuilding and justice efforts. He founded key initiatives like the MENA Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security and the Regional Network on Prevention. He is currently a visiting fellow at Harvard’s Carr Center and has served as a Teaching Fellow and Course Coach at Harvard. He was the first Arab Co-Chair of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development. His work focuses on building democratic, people-centered institutions that uphold dignity and political rights. He holds master’s degrees in international law and public administration.

Blair Glencorse

Co-CEO, Accountability Lab

Blair Glencorse is Co-CEO of Accountability Lab- a translocal network that makes governance work for people. Blair and his team have done everything from building large-scale socially conscious music campaigns across Africa; to monitoring and improving public services in South Asia; to running a prize-winning TV show around the world called Integrity Icon to “name and fame” honest government officials. Blair is also the outgoing Co-Chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and an outgoing member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Good Governance. He was previously a member of the World Bank’s Expert Advisory Council on Citizen Engagement. Blair speaks and writes regularly on issues of open governance, citizen participation, anti-corruption and democracy.

Mark Lewis

Chief of Public Sector Partnerships, World Justice Project

Mark Lewis is Chief of Public Sector Partnerships at the World Justice Project, leading engagement with governmental and intergovernmental donors. He previously spent over 25 years at the IMF, where he expanded donor support for global capacity-building programs and led partnerships with regional and multilateral institutions. His IMF work also included economic policy, outreach, and resource mobilization, and he served as IMF representative in Turkey (2010–2014). Earlier, he worked at the World Bank and on relief efforts in southern Sudan. He holds a B.A. from Swarthmore and an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School.

Ross Maclaren

Program Officer, Mott Foundation

Ross Maclaren is a program officer responsible for grantmaking in the Increasing Access to Justice program area. Based in the Foundation’s London office, he previously managed grantmaking in Russia and Ukraine. Prior to joining Mott in 2006, he worked as director of the Institute for Sustainable Communities’ Russian Far East office in Khabarovsk. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in Central/Eastern European and Russian area studies from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

Themba Mahleka

Senior Program Officer, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

Themba Mahleka is a Senior Program Officer for the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. He has over ten years’ experience in areas such as transparency, accountability, governance, access to justice, legal tech and innovation. He has worked in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the US. Before joining Pathfinders, Themba worked at Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI Z) as the Senior Legal Officer, heading the policy and legislation unit there, and for the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) first as an Innovating Justice Agent, and then as the Co-Head of the HiiL Innovation Hub, Southern Africa. Themba holds an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Corporate Governance from the University of Johannesburg.

John Romano

Director, TAP Network

John is the Director of the TAP Network, based in New York. Previously, he worked at Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), coordinating global advocacy campaigns around the UN’s Post-2015 development agenda. He has also worked for the UN Secretariat with UNDESA’s Division for Sustainable Development, where he helped facilitate the engagement of civil society in the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, and coordinated the UN’s social media coverage for the conference. He has a MS in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a BA in Environmental Studies and Geography from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer

Assistant Professor, Koźmiński University; Visiting Fellow, LSE

Dr hab. Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer is an Assistant Professor at Koźmiński University and a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She received her PhD in Sociology from The New School for Social Research (2014). Author of “(Not) Kidding: Online Tabloid Politics» (Brill, 2024, Haymarket 2025), “Reshaping Poland’s Community after Communism: Ordinary Celebrations” (Palgrave, 2019), “Kazimierz Kelles-Krauz: Marxism and Sociology” (Warsaw University Press, 2014; Brill, 2018). Recipient of scholarships from the Minister of Science and Higher Education in Poland, the Kosciuszko Foundation and The New School. She studies everyday civic practices, news media and online politics, as well as news avoidance.

Krzysztof Izdebski

Board Member and Director for Advocacy, Stefan Batory Foundation

Krzysztof Izdebski. Legal and policy expert. Member of the Board and Director for Advocacy and Development at the Stefan Batory Foundation. Marshall Memorial and Recharging Advocacy for Rights in Europe (RARE) Fellow. Member of the OECD Innovative Citizen Participation Network. He is a lawyer specialized in the rule of law, access to public information, and relations between technology and democracies.

Jakub Jaraczewski

Research Coordinator, Democracy Reporting International

Jakub Jaraczewski is a Research Coordinator at Democracy Reporting International, a Berlin-based NGO dedicated to supporting democracy and the rule of law worldwide. As part of the re: constitution programme, he works with journalists and policymakers to improve the public debate on the rule of law in the European Union. Jakub focuses on the situation in Central and Eastern Europe. His insights have been featured in the New York Times, Guardian, Politico, Euronews, and other leading European and global media. Jakub holds a magister (M.A.) in law from Adam Mickiewicz University, where he also taught constitutional and human rights law.

Laurent Pech

Dean and Professor of Law, Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin

Laurent Pech is Full Professor of Law, Dean of Law and Head of the Sutherland School of Law at University College Dublin. He is also a Visiting Professor of Law at Bordeaux University and Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas; the Clinical Co-Director of the CEU Rule of Law Clinic in Budapest; and the Co-Director of The Good Lobby Profs which he co-founded in 2021.

Maria Skóra

Policy Fellow, Das Progressive Zentrum; Research Fellow, IEP Berlin

Maria Skóra is an advisor on democracy and European politics with a transatlantic spin. Her expertise focuses on populism, democracy and (re)democratization, elections, political parties, and policy analysis. She offers advice on Germany, Poland, European politics and policies, and transatlantic relations. Today based in Berlin, with previous stops in Warsaw, Washington DC, and frequent visits to Brussels, she is a non-resident Research Fellow at the Institut für Europäische Politik, a Policy Fellow at Das Progressive Zentrum, and a re:constitution Fellow.

Anna Wójcik

Assistant Professor, Kozminski University

Anna Wójcik is a rule of law expert and co-founder of Rule of Law in Poland and the Wiktor Osiatyński Archive, published by the Foundation for Civic Monitoring OKO. She is an Assistant Professor at Kozminski University in Warsaw and the Principal Investigator in a National Science Centre, Poland project on EU media regulation and the rule of law (2024-2027). Prior to that, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law.

Kamel Ayadi

Board of Directors, World Justice Project

Mr. Kamel Ayadi is a distinguished Tunisian engineer, public servant, and international expert in governance, with 36+ years in anti-corruption, ethics, and regulatory reform. He serves on the Board of the World Justice Project and is a member of the Chandler Sessions on Integrity at Oxford University. He held top government roles in Tunisia, including Minister of Public Service, Governance, and Anti-Corruption; Secretary of State; Senator; and Chairman of the Regulatory Authority of Telecommunication. He served as President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations in 2003, representing over 100 member countries, and served as the founding Chair of its Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption. He holds degrees in engineering, law, and a Cambridge Business English Certificate.

Janet L. Banda

Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet and Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Government of Malawi

Dr. Janet L. Banda is Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet and Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit in Malawi. Her 32 year public career includes senior government roles, including Solicitor General and Secretary for Justice; Secretary for Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Principal Secretary (Government Contracts) in the Office of the President and Cabinet; and Chief Law Reform Officer, and Acting Law Commissioner. As Chair of Malawi’s OGP Steering Committee, she leads governance reforms championed by government and civil society and is the supervisory head of the OGP Secretariat in Malawi. She holds a PhD in Law and Development (University of London), LLM in International Legal Studies (University of Georgia), and LLB (University of Malawi). She was conferred as Senior Counsel in 2016.

Hon. Justice (Retd) Evans Mweembani Hamaundu

Board Chairperson, Anti-Corruption Commission Zambia

Hon. Mr. Justice (Retd) Evans Mweembani Hamaundu is the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zambia since February 2025, following his appointment by the President, after serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Zambia from January 2014. J. Hamaundu holds an LLB from the University of Zambia, and began his career in the Legal Aid Department, later working in private practice and the corporate sector. He joined the Judiciary in 1996, serving as Resident Magistrate, Deputy Registrar, Registrar of the High Court, and Judge of the High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court. Known for his expertise in criminal law, his judgments reflected deep legal insight. He retired in January 2025 after 29 years of service and was appointed Chairperson of the Commission shortly after.

Rueben Lifuka

Zambia Country Director, Chandler Foundation

Mr. Rueben Lifuka is a Zambian anti-corruption activist and researcher with 25 years of experience. He served as Vice Chair of the global board of Transparency International and was previously Chapter President of TI Zambia. Rueben is the current Chair of the International Anti-Corruption Conference, board member of the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST), part-time Country Director for Zambia at the Chandler Foundation, and runs Riverine Zambia Ltd., a governance and environmental management consultancy firm. He is a Chartered Environmentalist with the Society for the Environment-UK. Rueben earned a Master of Development Policy and Practice from the University of Cape Town, an MSc in Integrated Environmental Management from the University of Bath, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Copperbelt University in Zambia.

Ketakandriana Rafitoson

Vice-Chair, Transparency International

Dr. Ketakandriana Rafitoson is a Malagasy anticorruption and pro-democracy activist and independent researcher. She is current Vice-Chair of Transparency International and served as the Executive Director of TI Madagascar from 2018 to 2024. She is also a member of the International Board of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) and sits within the Advisory Board of the African Women Against Corruption Network (AWACN). Moreover, Dr. Rafitoson co-founded several social movements in Madagascar and was appointed as Publish What You Pay’s global Executive Director in July 2024 – fighting for a better governance of extractive industries in 60+ countries. Dr. Rafitoson holds a PhD in Political Science, and a second one in Sociology Applied to Development. She is lecturing on local democracy and citizens’ engagement at the Catholic University of Madagascar.

Giuliano Borter

Public Policy Professional and SDG Advocate

Giuliano Borter is a dynamic public policy professional and SDG advocate with experience across the public sector and international NGOs. His work centers on human-centric, impactful policy, diplomacy, and collaboration with international organizations on security, international law, and emerging tech. With a holistic and interdisciplinary approach, he brings innovation, strategic communication, and strong stakeholder management to his work. Giuliano is also a Young Justice Leaders at Pathfinders from Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.

Patricia Peace Ejang

CEO and Co-Founder, LawBot Africa

Patricia Peace Ejang is a feminist, writer, activist, and lawyer. An alumna of the Young African Leaders Initiative, she has contributed to access-to-justice projects on gender equality, SRHR, and youth issues through research and advocacy. She interned with the Refugee Law Project to support justice for refugees and host communities. She is an editor at Poetic Africa magazine and has volunteered with the Youth for Tax Justice Network and Women with a Mission. As CEO and co-founder of LawBot Africa, an AI-powered legal tech platform, she works to expand legal access. Patricia is also a Young Justice Leaders at Pathfinders from Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.

Leah Guyot

Program Associate, Justice for All, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just Societies

Léah Guyot is a Program Associate in the Justice for All team at Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies, hosted by the NYU Center for International Cooperation. She leads the Young Justice Leaders program, supporting the next generation of justice advocates, and provides strategic support to the Secretariat of the Justice Action Coalition. Her work focuses in particular on improving access to justice for women. Prior to joining CIC, Léah worked as a research consultant on issues including displacement, conflict, and disarmament. She holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from The New School.

Kathryn Grace Hulseman

Senior Research Associate, World Justice Project

Grace Hulseman is passionate about advancing sustainable development, social justice, and human rights. As a Senior Research Associate at the World Justice Project, she supports global research on people-centered justice. Her previous work includes roles with the World Bank, Fundación Paraguaya, and the Center for American Progress. She also served in Belize with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, supporting housing access. Grace holds a Master’s in Global Human Development from Georgetown and a BA from Fordham University. Grace is also a Young Justice Leaders at Pathfinders from Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.

Eva Langbehn

Human Rights Lawyer

Eva Langbehn, a human rights lawyer and public policy specialist, is committed to advancing justice for marginalized groups, especially women and children in Argentina. With a background in law and ongoing studies in public policy, she focuses on holistic, evidence-based solutions. Her experience includes legislative drafting, research, and work with international organizations addressing systemic injustices. Recently, she has concentrated on the secondary victimization of children and adolescents in the justice system. Eva is also a Young Justice Leaders at Pathfinders from Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.

Abbas Luyombo

Lawyer and Young Justice Leader

Abbas Luyombo, a 27-year-old Ugandan lawyer with visual impairment, is a Young Justice Leader passionate about climate justice, human rights, and gender equality. With an LLB from Makerere University, he is committed to legal research, policy advocacy, and supporting vulnerable communities. Certified in Law and Development and Leadership (A4ID UK, Oxford), he advocates for internet freedom and responsible business. He has served as a Clinical Fellow at Makerere’s Public Interest Law Clinic, coordinated pro bono justice at DLA Piper Africa, and supported diversity at UNILEVER Kenya. His volunteer work with NETPIL and Makerere’s Disability Law Centre reflects his commitment to inclusion.

Hon. Alpha Sesay

Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Sierra Leone

Alpha Sesay is the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone. Before his appointment, he served as the Deputy Minister of Justice for Sierra Leone. He holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law from the University of Notre Dame and an LLB from the University of Sierra Leone. Before joining the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Sesay served as the Senior Democracy, Rights, and Governance Advisor for USAID in Sierra Leone. He also held the position of Senior Advocacy Officer at the Open Society Justice Initiative in Washington, DC. He has worked with Institutions such as the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the International Criminal Court, and regional human rights bodies, including the ECOWAS Court, the African Commission, and the Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Anoushka Sinha

Social Entrepreneur and Activist

Anoushka Sinha, a social entrepreneur and human rights activist, has advocated for gender and education equality since age 10, reaching one million people through advocacy, radio, and grassroots SDG initiatives. She began with local NGO campaigns, led her own organization, and became India’s youngest radio jockey at 12. A former UNEP regional ambassador, she has held roles with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and UNESCO’s SDG4 YSN. She works with the ONE Campaign, Plan International, and the UN Foundation. A Diana Award recipient, she’s been honored by UN Women, GirlUp, and others. Anoushka is also a Young Justice Leaders at Pathfinders from Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.

Pratiwi Febry

Co-Chair, Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation

Since graduating from law school in 2009, Pratiwi has worked in the Jakarta branch of the Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI, Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia) as a human rights and public interest attorney. She works on human rights cases, focusing on gross human rights violations, labor rights, and the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, as well as policy advocacy. In 2022, she was appointed as a co-chair of YLBHI, where she focuses on organizational development and research. YLBHI was founded in 1970 as one of the first legal aid organizations during Soeharto’s authoritarian regime. To improve democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, YLBHI continues to provide structural legal aid services today. Legal empowerment has always been a key aspect of YLBHI’s work.

Sheila Formento

National Coordinator, Alternative Law Groups

Sheila Formento is the National Coordinator of the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), a coalition of twenty legal resource NGOs in the Philippines that adhere to the principles and values of alternative or developmental law. She is a human rights and child rights advocate, a community organizer, and a lawyer. Prior to joining ALG, she served as National Training Officer for the Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT). Over her 20 years of experience, Sheila has immersed herself in the struggles of several marginalized sectors such as fisherfolk, women, urban poor communities, and children. She holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Community Development from the University of the Philippines and Bachelor of Laws from Arellano University School of Law. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2018.

Vivek Maru

Co-Founder and CEO, Namati; Co-Convenor, Grassroots Justice Network

Vivek Maru is co-founder and CEO of Namati, which advances social and environmental justice by combining the power of law with the power of people. Namati works with partners deeply in six countries, from Myanmar to the United States, and co-convenes the Grassroots Justice Network, a community of 3000+ justice organizations from over 170 countries. Vivek is co-author of Community Paralegals and the Pursuit of Justice. His TED talk, “How to Put the Power of Law in People’s Hands,” has been viewed over a million times.

Aitor Cubo Contreras

Director General for Digital Transformation of Justice, Spain

Aitor Cubo Contreras earned a MS in Computer Engineering from Complutense University of Madrid, and MS in Psychology from Spain’s National University for Remote Education (UNED). In 2006, he joined the Superior Corps of ICT of the Spanish State Administration. Ever since, he has experienced several positions within national and international Administrations. Area Manager, Coordinator and later Director of the ICT Division at the Ministry for Territorial Policy and of the Civil Service, he was later promoted to Deputy Director-General for the promotion of digital administration and citizen services at the Ministry of the Treasury of Spain. In 2019, he joined the Inter-American Development Bank as Senior Specialist in Digital Government, to finally became Director General for Digital Transformation of the Justice Administration of Spain in 2020, a position he has held ever since.

Maaike de Langen

Senior Policy Advisor, OECD

Maaike de Langen is a Senior Policy Advisor at the OECD, leading initiatives on justice and rule of law and supporting governments to build people-centred justice systems. She is a Visiting Scholar at Arizona State University’s Justice Futures project and a Senior Fellow at NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. Her career began with socio-legal research in Mali and governance work with UNDP in Chad and New York, contributing to the Legal Empowerment of the Poor report. As a senior civil servant, she founded and led the Department for Strategy and Policy of the Dutch National Ombudsman. At NYU, she directed the Pathfinders for Justice Program, co-led the Justice for All report, and helped launch the Justice Action Coalition, Ibero-American Justice Alliance, and Young Justice Leaders.

Marta Kożuchowska-Warywoda

Director of HR and Organisation, Common & Military Courts, Ministry of Justice, Poland

Marta Kożuchowska-Warywoda is a judge at the Warsaw-Wola District Court in Poland. In 2024, she was delegated to the Ministry of Justice, where she currently serves as Director of the Department of Human Resource and Organisation of Common and Military Courts. She is also a member of the Team for Counteracting Hate Speech and Crimes Motivated by Bias.

Justice Madan B. Lokur

Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India

Justice Madan B. Lokur is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and the first Indian to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Fiji, where he served until January 2025. He currently serves as Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council and continues his work as an independent arbitrator and legal commentator. As a Supreme Court Judge, Justice Lokur was known for handling key social justice cases, with his Bench becoming widely known as the “Social Justice» Bench. Justice Lokur has been a strong advocate for judicial reform, access to justice, child rights, and environmental protection. He chaired key committees in the Indian judiciary, including the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee and the E-Committee for court computerization.

Clare Manuel

Senior Research Associate, Politics and Governance programme, ODI Global

Clare is a lawyer specialising in access to justice, financing for justice, business enabling environment, women in business, institutional strengthening, legal reform and adaptive programming, with 25 years’ experience of research, policy and programming in these areas. Clare was a city and UK government lawyer. She worked as an embedded adviser in Uganda and Fiji, before co-founding international development consultancy, The Law & Development Partnership which she ran for 20 years, leading projects and providing policy advice for DFID, World Bank, EU and other donors. From 2015-2017 she was programme director of DFID’s LASER (Legal Assistance for Economic Reform) Programme. She now works as an independent consultant, is co-founder of a digital dispute resolution company in the UK, and runs a free legal advice clinic in north London.

Phiset Sa-ardyen

Executive Director, Thailand Institute of Justice

Dr. Phiset Sa-Ardyen is the Executive Director of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), where he leads efforts to strengthen the rule of law and justice system through a people-centered, evidence-based approach. He also promotes implementation of the UN Bangkok Rules in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Previously, he served as TIJ’s Director of External Relations and held key positions at Thailand’s Ministry of Justice, including Director of the ICT Center, leading digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives. He holds degrees in Bioengineering, Chemistry, Law, and Translation from institutions in Japan, the U.S., and Thailand.

Rebecca Sandefur

Professor and Director, Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics

Rebecca L. Sandefur is Professor in and Director of the Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics and Professor (by courtesy) in the Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law at Arizona State University. In addition to her appointment at ASU, Sandefur is Faculty Fellow at the American Bar Foundation, where she founded and leads the Access to Justice Research Initiative. In 2018, she was named a MacArthur Fellow for her work on inequality and access to justice. Sandefur was born in and spent her early years in Oklahoma and is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Tatyana Teplova

Head of Division and Senior Counsellor, Public Governance Directorate, OECD

Tatyana has over 20 years of experience in governance, rule of law, justice, integrity, gender equality, and public sector reform. She joined the OECD in 2010 and is currently Head of Division and Senior Counsellor in the Public Governance Directorate. She leads OECD’s work on justice, rule of law, gender equality, and inclusion, developing international standards, advising governments, and managing multi-country projects. Her work spans OECD countries, MENA, Eurasia, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Tatyana began her career as a Senior Analyst in Canadian public administration and has taught at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. She holds a Doctorate in Public Policy from Carleton University and a postgraduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation from Oxford.

Ena Bavčić

EU Advocacy Officer and Advocacy Coordinator, ECPMF

Ena Bavčić joined the team in December 2024, focusing on the EU-based advocacy, and developing advocacy approaches to promote Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and ECPMF work and programs. With an MA degree in Human Rights and Democracy, and over 15 years of experience in the sector, Ena has been working on multifaceted projects aiming to improve freedom of expression and status of journalists, protect human rights defenders, gender equality and promote freedom of assembly and association. She has a thorough experience in digital rights research and policy development, and is a member of OSCE/ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Assembly and Association.

Luisa Chiodi

Director, Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa

Luisa Chiodi has been the director of Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa since 2006. She holds a PhD in Social and Political Science from the European University Institute of Fiesole (Florence) and a degree in Political Science from the University of Milan. From 2003 to 2008 she was lecturer for the chair of ‘Eastern European studies’ at the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Bologna. She coordinated several research projects and is author of publications on civil society and transnational social dynamics.

Jonathan Day

Advocacy Officer, Liberties

Jonathan works on the Liberties advocacy team, having previously worked on the communications team and leading the video advocacy program. Before joining Liberties in 2017, he worked in Budapest with the European Liberties Platform, interned with the Mexican chapter of Transparency International, and did video production work in the United States. He holds a Master of Public Policy from Central European University and a BA in political science from Trinity College.

Serena Epis

Researcher and Advocacy Officer, OBC Transeuropa

Serena Epis holds a master’s degree in European and International Studies from the University of Trento. She joined OBC Transeuropa in June 2021 as a researcher and advocacy officer. Her work has focused on research, training, advocacy, and project management in areas such as media freedom, the rule of law, civic engagement, and the EU’s enlargement toward the Western Balkans.

Oliver Money-Kyrle

Media Development Expert and Press Freedom Advocate, IPI

Oliver Money-Kyrle is a media development expert and press freedom activist with over twenty years’ experience defending the rights of journalists in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Turkey. He joined IPI in September 2019 to head up the #FreeTurkeyJournalists campaign. Prior to that he was the Director of Projects with the International Federation of Journalists managing their global programmes and campaigns on journalists’ rights. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Bristol and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from Boston University Brussels.

Joanna Szymanska

Head of Programmes and Strategy for Europe, Article 19

Human rights advocate with a focus on freedom of expression, media freedom, and digital rights. She is also an experienced project coordinator, human rights trainer and researcher working across Europe and Central Asia.

Judy Perry Martinez

Vice President, Board of Directors, World Justice Project

Judy Perry Martinez is past president of the American Bar Association and Of Counsel at Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn. She served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Northrop Grumman and was a Fellow at Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative. She led numerous ABA entities, including the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary and the Commission on the Future of Legal Services. In Louisiana, she chaired bar committees on professionalism, diversity, and capital defense. Judy has received multiple awards for public service and professional excellence. She is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Louisiana Bar Foundation. She earned her JD with honors from Tulane Law School and her BS from the University of New Orleans.

Nozomi Iwama

Deputy Director General, Governance and Peace Building Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Ms. Nozomi Iwama is the Deputy Director General in charge of governance cooperation of JICA, at the Governance and Peace Building Department. Prior to this assignment, she was the Senior Director and Head of Office for Global Issues and Development Partnership, Operations Strategy Department of JICA from February 2021 to February 2024. She was responsible for JICA’s partnership relations and strategic dialogues with development partners. She served as Senior Representative of JICA’s Vietnam Office from 2017 to 2021. Her other previous assignments include Director for Southeast Asia and Pacific Department, Deputy Director of Office of International Affairs of Financial Services Agency of Japan. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration in International Development (MPAID) from John F. Kennedy School of　Government of Harvard University.
 

Adam Krzywoń

Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Poland

Adam Krzywoń was appointed as Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Poland on 1 January 2025. Currently, he serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Constitutional Law at the University of Warsaw. His academic focus includes Polish and comparative constitutional law and the protection of human rights. Additionally, he is a researcher at the German Research Institute for Public Administration (FÖV), where he leads an international research project examining the transformation of public service systems across Europe. Prof. Krzywoń’s professional experience includes, inter alia, working at the Constitutional Tribunal (2007–2008). From 2010 to 2018, he was a secretary and member of the Prime Minister’s Legislative Council