Today, December 16th, is the deadline for applications for the World Justice Challenge of 2021: Advancing the Rule of Law in a Time of Crisis. Facilitated by our member the World Justice Project the challenge is a global competition to identify, recognise, and promote good practices and high-impact projects and policies to protect and advance areas of the rule of law most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such the Challenge invites submissions that offer solutions to address four thematic aspects of the rule of law directly affected by the pandemic, namely:
- Access to Justice for All
- Accountable Governance
- Anti-Corruption and Open Government
- Fundamental Rights and Non-Discrimination
ILAC is pleased to be a thematic partner on Accountable Governance. As a thematic partner we will assist with reviewing submitted applications under this theme and participate in the finalist selection committee for the theme of Accountable Governance.
In November, ILAC’s Director of Operations, Richard Sannerholm, partook as a panellist in the webinar “Accountable Governance and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Action” together with the other thematic partner under this theme, International IDEA.
The COVID-19 crisis is presenting an enormous stress test for accountable governance on which an effective public health response depends. Responding to a public health emergency such as COVID-19 requires government institutions capable of delivering both preventive and emergency medical care while also maintaining other essential public services. Regardless of the exigencies of the crisis, governments must carry out these basic functions in accordance with the rule of law—open to the public, contestable in the courts and through elections governed by law, with the consent of the legislature, and reviewed by audit and other oversight bodies.
The webinar was thus a discussion on key accountable governance problems raised and exacerbated by the pandemic as well as on recommendations for actions needed to address the crisis’ underlying challenges, support an effective recovery process, and build back better rule-of-law-based societies.
The video recording of the webinar is now available and can be found here.
