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
Registration
08:00 – 16:00 (CET)
Lobby
Justice Systems Under Threat: How Institutional Resilience is Built
09:00 – 10:15 (CET)
Warsaw Hall
This session will open with the screening of the short documentary: A Thousand Robes, which captures a powerful moment in Warsaw on January 11, 2020, when judges, prosecutors, and lawyers from 26 European countries marched in solidarity with Polish judges fighting to maintain what remains of judicial independence.
Following the screening, the session will feature a conversation on how rising authoritarianism threatens justice systems and what strategies can be implemented to ensure institutional resilience, with a focus on mutual learning from Poland’s struggle for judicial independence.
Action Spotlight
10:15 – 10:45 (CET)
Warsaw Hall Foyer
Presenters:
Katya Andrusz, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Waltraud Heller, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
Type
Checks and Balances Under Threat: How Countervailing Institutions Can Make a Difference
10:45 – 12:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall
A conversation on the key role of independent public agencies and legislative oversight to constrain authoritarian influence and check abuses of power, highlighting concrete strategies.
Type
Lunch
12:00 – 13:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall Foyer
The Proposal for an International Anti-Corruption Court
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall III
Speakers
Type
Strengthening Democracy and the Rule of Law through People-Centered Justice: Regional Strategies and Actions
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall V
Speakers
Type
Measuring What Matters: Indicators on Meaningful and Effective Justice Outcomes for People.
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall IV
Organized by: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Hague Institute of Innovation of Law (HiiL), and the World Justice Project (WJP). Justice institutions play a key role in promoting the rule of law and ensuring protection, equality, and fairness. To improve justice outcomes and close the justice gap, the OECD, HiiL, and WJP have developed outcome indicators for People-Centered Justice as part of a long-term measurement framework within the Justice Action Coalition. These indicators will be discussed in a working session to validate their approach and refine their development. The interactive workshop will explore the value of a measurement framework for justice delivery, the relevance of proposed indicators, challenges and opportunities in implementation, and strategies to strengthen outcome measurement and reporting.
Speakers
Type
Accountability by Human Rights! Upholding the Rule of Law and Accountability: Strategies for Progress
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Meeting Room 2
Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP). As accountability mechanisms weaken and impunity rises, the global rollback of the rule of law demands urgent, coordinated action. This session positions human rights as a powerful lever for restoring accountability and rebuilding trust in governance. It will explore innovative, data-driven approaches to monitoring human rights and strengthening legal standards for both state and non-state actors. Featuring expert perspectives, case studies, and national human rights commissions, the session will equip participants with actionable strategies to reinforce the rule of law and advance justice in today’s complex global landscape.
Speakers
Type
Shielding the Front Lines: Safety and Protection for Grassroots Environmental Justice Defenders
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Light Room
Organized by: Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and Namati. From red-tagging in the Philippines to land grabs in Nigeria, Uganda, and Indonesia, grassroots environmental justice defenders are increasingly targeted with intimidation, criminalization, and violence, while governments enact laws that restrict civic space and roll back environmental protections. According to Global Witness, nearly 200 land and environmental defenders were killed in 2023 for their work. This working session will explore how legal empowerment is a powerful tool to strengthen the safety and protection of these defenders in increasingly hostile environments. The discussion will bring together environmental justice defenders – including paralegals, community lawyers, and policy advocates – to share their stories and insights on how defenders can protect one another.
Type
Civic Education as a Pathway to Accountable Governance
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall II
Organized by: Sunsglow. This session explores how civic education can build a culture of accountability and enhance governance in fragile and transitioning states. Through interactive dialogue and practical examples from Iraq and other regions, the session will highlight the role of civic knowledge in fostering legal awareness, citizen participation, and government responsiveness. Participants will engage in breakout discussions to co-develop educational strategies for strengthening the rule of law through civic engagement.
Speakers
Type
Coffee Break
14:30 – 15:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall Foyer
Lessons and Innovations from Anti-Corruption Agencies in Asia Pacific
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Meeting Room 2
Organized by: World Justice Project. National anti-corruption agencies play a vital role in promoting governmental accountability by preventing, investigating, and reporting corruption in line with the UNCAC. As key actors in the rule of law ecosystem, they operate alongside judiciaries, civil society, independent media, and audit institutions. Amid global rule of law decline—driven by weakened government checks and rights protections—these agencies are showing resilience. This session brings together agency leaders from the Asia Pacific region to share innovations, lessons, and strategies, and to explore the role of cross-sector collaboration and international networks in strengthening anti-corruption efforts.
Type
Checks and Balances from Within: The Civil Service and Democratic Resilience
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall III
Organized by: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Project 2025 and the initial actions of Donald Trump’s second administration have highlighted an increasingly critical element in bolstering the resilience of democracy and the rule of law: the impartiality and independence of the civil service. With some exceptions, not enough thought has been given to their role, and particularly those civil service units mandated to provide advice and input on the compliance of government actions with principles of constitutionality, the rule of law and democracy. Such units, where their independence and non-partisanship is secure, can provide an important check on the political majority’s ability to erode the rule of law and democracy. At the same time, these units must be wary of overstepping their bounds and becoming politicized.
Speakers
Type
Environmental Justice and the Rule of Law
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall V
Organized by: American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy & Resources (ABA-SEER) and Environmental Justice Task Force. Environmental justice lies at the intersection of climate law, human rights, and governance—demanding urgent legal responses as vulnerable communities face the brunt of environmental harm. This workshop explores how the rule of law can advance environmental justice globally, examining legal strategies to address injustice, empower marginalized communities, and strengthen protections. Drawing on developments across the Americas, including national, subnational, and tribal efforts, the session will highlight the role of legal practitioners, the growing recognition of the right to a healthy environment, and opportunities to enhance legal education and capacity building.
Type
Towards A Multisectoral Coalition to Enhance Openness and Public Trust in Justice Institutions
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Light Room
Organized by: Open Government Partnership (OGP), International Network for Open Justice (RIJA), and World Justice Project (WJP). To improve justice delivery, foster engagement, and build trust, justice actors have recently advanced openness through policies and tools, such as clearer messaging and information on institutional operations, budgeting, and outcomes. Efforts include expanding services for vulnerable populations and, via digital tools, the general public. Feedback channels allow co-created solutions, public input in planning, and greater accountability—transparently explaining decisions while enabling reporting, investigation, and prevention of abuse. This session will showcase lessons and experiences, develop a shared vision, and establish an agenda for ongoing collaboration to support institutional efforts to advance open justice.
Speakers
Type
The Role of Artists in Shaping and Strengthening the Rule of Law Ecosystem
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall II
Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP), SAMA Music & Art, and Music Week Poland. This working session will feature insights from artists and cultural leaders on how their work drives change and fosters dialogue. From the visual arts to music, literature, theater and film, and other forms of creative expression, artists and cultural institutions play a critical role in the rule of law ecosystem. They are creators and interpreters, keepers of knowledge and collective memory, and catalysts for change. The panel will explore the myriad ways in which these actors and institutions work to advance justice and the rule of law, challenge authoritarianism, and hold governments accountable to their people.
Type
Leveraging Rule of Law Data for Social and Economic Development
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall IV
Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP). This panel session aims to explore the importance of enhancing rule of law data to address the complex challenges facing global development. By leveraging data-driven approaches, the session seeks to identify actionable strategies for advancing rule of law issues and strengthening the link between justice and development goals. The panel will delve into the significance of developing comprehensive rule of law data that captures a wide range of justice issues, including corruption, electoral, and public integrity. Drawing on global data initiatives—such as the OECD’s Public Integrity indicators, the World Justice Project’s EUROVOICES, and the Rule of Law Index, and their use by national governments and the European Commission—the session will highlight the need for actionable data to confront inequality, eradicate corruption, and improve local governance.
Type
Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall Foyer
Chamber Music Performance by students of the Barenboim-Said Akademie
17:00 – 18:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall
In 1999 conductor-pianist Daniel Barenboim joined with author Edward W. Said to found the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Weimar, Germany, with a mission to unite young musicians from across the Middle East in promoting dialogue through music. Since 2015 the Barenboim-Said Akademie has continued that mission, inviting gifted young musicians, primarily from the Middle East and North Africa, to study music theory, performance, and the humanities with a distinguished international faculty. The concert will feature a student ensemble performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49. The program will be introduced by Lesley Rosenthal, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Juilliard School, with remarks by Tabaré Perlas, CEO of the Daniel Barenboim Stiftung Berlin.
Performers
Speakers
Type
Jazz Cafe with pianist Ted Rosenthal
18:15 (CET)
Warsaw Hall
Musical performance followed by coffeehouse-style creative exploration of rule of law themes through the visual and performing arts, open to participation by all Forum attendees.
Performer
Type
Justice Systems Under Threat: How Institutional Resilience is Built
09:00 – 10:15 (CET)
Warsaw Hall
This session will open with the screening of the short documentary: A Thousand Robes, which captures a powerful moment in Warsaw on January 11, 2020, when judges, prosecutors, and lawyers from 26 European countries marched in solidarity with Polish judges fighting to maintain what remains of judicial independence.
Following the screening, the session will feature a conversation on how rising authoritarianism threatens justice systems and what strategies can be implemented to ensure institutional resilience, with a focus on mutual learning from Poland’s struggle for judicial independence.
Type
Chamber Music Performance by students of the Barenboim-Said Akademie
17:00 – 18:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall
In 1999 conductor-pianist Daniel Barenboim joined with author Edward W. Said to found the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Weimar, Germany, with a mission to unite young musicians from across the Middle East in promoting dialogue through music. Since 2015 the Barenboim-Said Akademie has continued that mission, inviting gifted young musicians, primarily from the Middle East and North Africa, to study music theory, performance, and the humanities with a distinguished international faculty. The concert will feature a student ensemble performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49. The program will be introduced by Lesley Rosenthal, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Juilliard School, with remarks by Tabaré Perlas, CEO of the Daniel Barenboim Stiftung Berlin.
Performers
Speakers
Type
Jazz Cafe with jazz pianist Ted Rosenthal
19:00 (CET)
Cultural Performance
Musical performance followed by coffeehouse-style creative exploration of rule of law themes through the visual and performing arts, open to participation by all Forum attendees.
Performer
Type
Action Spotlight
10:15 – 10:45 (CET)
Coffee Break area
Type
Coffee Break
14:30 – 15:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall Foyer
Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 (CET)
Warsaw Hall Foyer
Justice Systems Under Threat: How Institutional Resilience is Built
09:00 – 10:15 (CET)
Plenary
Speakers
Luis Henry Molina
Margaret Satterthwaite
Dorota Zabłudowska
Type
Checks and Balances Under Threat: How Countervailing Institutions Can Make a Difference
10:45 – 12:00 (CET)
Plenary
Speakers
Arturo Herrera Gutierrez
Utaara Mootu
Type
The Proposal for an International Anti-Corruption Court
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall III
Speakers
Type
Strengthening Democracy and the Rule of Law through People-Centered Justice: Regional Strategies and Actions
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall V
Speakers
Type
Measuring What Matters: Indicators on Meaningful and Effective Justice Outcomes for People.
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall IV
Organized by: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Hague Institute of Innovation of Law (HiiL), and the World Justice Project (WJP). Justice institutions play a key role in promoting the rule of law and ensuring protection, equality, and fairness. To improve justice outcomes and close the justice gap, the OECD, HiiL, and WJP have developed outcome indicators for People-Centered Justice as part of a long-term measurement framework within the Justice Action Coalition. These indicators will be discussed in a working session to validate their approach and refine their development. The interactive workshop will explore the value of a measurement framework for justice delivery, the relevance of proposed indicators, challenges and opportunities in implementation, and strategies to strengthen outcome measurement and reporting.
Type
Accountability by Human Rights! Upholding the Rule of Law and Accountability: Strategies for Progress
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Meeting Room 2
Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP). As accountability mechanisms weaken and impunity rises, the global rollback of the rule of law demands urgent, coordinated action. This session positions human rights as a powerful lever for restoring accountability and rebuilding trust in governance. It will explore innovative, data-driven approaches to monitoring human rights and strengthening legal standards for both state and non-state actors. Featuring expert perspectives, case studies, and national human rights commissions, the session will equip participants with actionable strategies to reinforce the rule of law and advance justice in today’s complex global landscape.
Speakers
Type
Shielding the Front Lines: Safety and Protection for Grassroots Environmental Justice Defenders
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Light Room
Organized by: Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and Namati. From red-tagging in the Philippines to land grabs in Nigeria, Uganda, and Indonesia, grassroots environmental justice defenders are increasingly targeted with intimidation, criminalization, and violence, while governments enact laws that restrict civic space and roll back environmental protections. According to Global Witness, nearly 200 land and environmental defenders were killed in 2023 for their work. This working session will explore how legal empowerment is a powerful tool to strengthen the safety and protection of these defenders in increasingly hostile environments. The discussion will bring together environmental justice defenders – including paralegals, community lawyers, and policy advocates – to share their stories and insights on how defenders can protect one another.
Type
Civic Education as a Pathway to Accountable Governance
13:00 – 14:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall II
Organized by: Sunsglow. This session explores how civic education can build a culture of accountability and enhance governance in fragile and transitioning states. Through interactive dialogue and practical examples from Iraq and other regions, the session will highlight the role of civic knowledge in fostering legal awareness, citizen participation, and government responsiveness. Participants will engage in breakout discussions to co-develop educational strategies for strengthening the rule of law through civic engagement.
Speakers
Type
Lessons and Innovations from Anti-Corruption Agencies in Asia Pacific
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Meeting Room 2
Organized by: World Justice Project. National anti-corruption agencies play a vital role in promoting governmental accountability by preventing, investigating, and reporting corruption in line with the UNCAC. As key actors in the rule of law ecosystem, they operate alongside judiciaries, civil society, independent media, and audit institutions. Amid global rule of law decline—driven by weakened government checks and rights protections—these agencies are showing resilience. This session brings together agency leaders from the Asia Pacific region to share innovations, lessons, and strategies, and to explore the role of cross-sector collaboration and international networks in strengthening anti-corruption efforts.
Type
Checks and Balances from Within: The Civil Service and Democratic Resilience
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall III
Organized by: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Project 2025 and the initial actions of Donald Trump’s second administration have highlighted an increasingly critical element in bolstering the resilience of democracy and the rule of law: the impartiality and independence of the civil service. With some exceptions, not enough thought has been given to their role, and particularly those civil service units mandated to provide advice and input on the compliance of government actions with principles of constitutionality, the rule of law and democracy. Such units, where their independence and non-partisanship is secure, can provide an important check on the political majority’s ability to erode the rule of law and democracy. At the same time, these units must be wary of overstepping their bounds and becoming politicized.
Speakers
Type
Environmental Justice and the Rule of Law
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall V
Organized by: American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy & Resources (ABA-SEER) and Environmental Justice Task Force. Environmental justice lies at the intersection of climate law, human rights, and governance—demanding urgent legal responses as vulnerable communities face the brunt of environmental harm. This workshop explores how the rule of law can advance environmental justice globally, examining legal strategies to address injustice, empower marginalized communities, and strengthen protections. Drawing on developments across the Americas, including national, subnational, and tribal efforts, the session will highlight the role of legal practitioners, the growing recognition of the right to a healthy environment, and opportunities to enhance legal education and capacity building.
Type
Towards A Multisectoral Coalition to Enhance Openness and Public Trust in Justice Institutions
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Light Room
Organized by: Open Government Partnership (OGP), International Network for Open Justice (RIJA), and World Justice Project (WJP). To improve justice delivery, foster engagement, and build trust, justice actors have recently advanced openness through policies and tools, such as clearer messaging and information on institutional operations, budgeting, and outcomes. Efforts include expanding services for vulnerable populations and, via digital tools, the general public. Feedback channels allow co-created solutions, public input in planning, and greater accountability—transparently explaining decisions while enabling reporting, investigation, and prevention of abuse. This session will showcase lessons and experiences, develop a shared vision, and establish an agenda for ongoing collaboration to support institutional efforts to advance open justice.
Speakers
Samuel Arias
Mariela Ponce
Christiane Wolowiec-Musich
Type
The Role of Artists in Shaping and Strengthening the Rule of Law Ecosystem
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall II
Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP), SAMA Music & Art, and Music Week Poland. This working session will feature insights from artists and cultural leaders on how their work drives change and fosters dialogue. From the visual arts to music, literature, theater and film, and other forms of creative expression, artists and cultural institutions play a critical role in the rule of law ecosystem. They are creators and interpreters, keepers of knowledge and collective memory, and catalysts for change. The panel will explore the myriad ways in which these actors and institutions work to advance justice and the rule of law, challenge authoritarianism, and hold governments accountable to their people.
Type
Leveraging Rule of Law Data for Social and Economic Development
15:00 – 16:30 (CET)
Warsaw Hall IV
Organized by: World Justice Project (WJP). This panel session aims to explore the importance of enhancing rule of law data to address the complex challenges facing global development. By leveraging data-driven approaches, the session seeks to identify actionable strategies for advancing rule of law issues and strengthening the link between justice and development goals. The panel will delve into the significance of developing comprehensive rule of law data that captures a wide range of justice issues, including corruption, electoral, and public integrity. Drawing on global data initiatives—such as the OECD’s Public Integrity indicators, the World Justice Project’s EUROVOICES, and the Rule of Law Index, and their use by national governments and the European Commission—the session will highlight the need for actionable data to confront inequality, eradicate corruption, and improve local governance.
