Concept Summary  

By now, we are all well aware that despite being past the midway point of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, we are lagging far behind in its attainment, across the board. We, therefore, need to act decisively and effectively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The good news is that in people-centered justice, we have already identified a viable catalyst to accelerate the 2030 agenda. Justice is by now well recognized a critical enabler for achieving other SDGs. It is a unique tool in our toolbox with multiplier effects.  

The benefits of investing in people-centered justice are two-fold. In the first place, injustice comes at a great cost. There are direct and indirect costs for those seeking to resolve justice challenges under often expensive and time-consuming circumstances on an individual level as well as the broader societal toll caused by a lack of access to basic services such healthcare and education. In the worst case, this can lead to lower GDP, weakened public trust and an ultimately increased risk of conflict. These risks, however, can be reversed by investing in justice and responding to the unmet legal needs of billions of people worldwide. 

Secondly, by investing in people-centered approaches to justice, we can ensure a greater return on investment thus making exponential gains in reducing the justice gap. This is because a people-centered approach ensures effective deployment of resources into justice solutions that work, are scalable and sustainable. 

Placing people and their needs at the center of justice systems is a compelling way for increasing the levels of trust between people and institutions, thereby strengthening the legitimacy of governments. A revitalized social contract strengthens democratic institutions, mitigates the rising threat of authoritarianism and reduces violent conflict, thus promoting peaceful, just and equitable societies

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Objectives 

This session seeks to: 

1. Highlight the cross-cutting nature of justice across the entire development agenda. 

2. Make an evidence-based case for investing in justice by unpacking the far- and wide-reaching benefits of doing so. 

3. Showcase good practices and encourage participants to link their regional and domestic work to Agenda 2030. 

 

Questions 

• In what ways can the rule of law and equal access to justice for all propel the 2030 agenda? 

• Can you unpack the meaning of people-centered justice, its contribution to stronger economies and its correlation to public trust and the social contract? 

• What are some of the examples of investing in rule of law and access to justice that have yielded good returns? 

• How can implementers in the Asia-Pacific region connect domestic and regional efforts with international developments? 

• What are some of the challenges for deploying people-centered approaches to justice and how can these be addressed? 

• What are some learnings from other regions on ways to exchange information and collaborate? 

 

Format/Methodology 

The session will begin with a 60-minute moderated conversation between 4-5 panelists made up of rule of law and justice practitioners from government, civil society and the youth. It will also blend expertise from the Asia-Pacific region and internationally to broaden the perspectives and insights.  

The speakers will respond to some of the questions highlighted above and be afforded an opportunity to ask reflect and build upon each other’s thoughts and interventions, as the issues unpack. The second and final part will include a 30-minutes open audience participation and engagement, largely responding to the issues discussed in the first part. 

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About the People-Centered Justice Conference  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangkok Regional Hub, the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), the United Nations Environment Programme  (UNEP) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and UN Women Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with the World Justice Project, the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and the Court of Justice of Thailand, will host the conference “Achieving Just Societies: Inclusive Justice Pathways for People and Planet in Asia and the Pacific” This event is scheduled to take place in Bangkok from November 11-13, 2024. 
 
The conference will serve as a dynamic platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, address challenges, and explore innovative, data-driven, and evidence-based approaches to enhancing equal and inclusive access to justice for all through people-centered methods, including in crisis-affected settings. In line with a human rights-based approach and the 'leave no one behind' principles, the event aims to foster partnerships and promote robust access to justice frameworks that better prioritize human rights, as well as the justice needs and emerging priorities of individuals and communities across the Asia and Pacific region. 

 
Ultimately, the conference aspires to reinforce a collective regional commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring equal and inclusive access to justice, and protecting human rights, all of which are foundational to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in Agenda 2030.