The United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is the world’s largest and most diverse gathering of policy-makers, practitioners, academia, intergovernmental organizations and civil society in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. The Congresses have been held every five years since 1955 in different parts of the world, dealing with a vast array of topics. They have made considerable impact in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice and influenced national and international policies and professional practices.

The Congresses provide a forum for (a) the exchange of views between States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and individual experts representing various professions and disciplines; (b) the exchange of experiences in research, law and policy development; and (c) the identification of emerging trends and issues in crime prevention and criminal justice.

Sessions

  • Leave No One Behind: Removing Barriers to Legal Aid

    Organized by: International Legal Foundation. With support of: South Africa, Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies
  • Transforming Criminal Justice Through People-Centered and Restorative Solutions

    Organized by: United Nations Development Programme. With support of: Sierra Leone, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies
  • Children's Views at the Heart of SDG 16: Grassroots Dialogues on Children's Justice Journeys to Accelerate Justice Transformation

    Organized by: Sierra Leone. With support of: Germany, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, UNICEF, Baker McKenzie Pro Bono, Centre for Child Law (University of Pretoria), Child Rights Coalition Asia, Child-Friendly Justice European Network, Childhood and Youth Studies Research Group, Defence for Children Greece, Defence for Children International, Defence for Children Sierra Leone, ECPAT International, Institute for Inspiring Children's Futures (University of Strathclyde), International Legal Foundation, Justice CoLab, IDALAP, Legal Empowerment Fund, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children, OECD, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, Terre des hommes
Full Agenda
  • Strengthening Coherence Between Formal and Informal Justice Actors: New Insights to Advance People-Centered Justice, Reduce Crime and Sustain Peace

    Organized by: United Nations Development Programme. With support of: UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, UN Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice, Alternative Law Groups, Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, International Development Law Organization, Open Society Africa, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies
  • Delivering on Our Commitment to Equal Access to Justice: Tackling Discrimination in Justice Systems

    Organized by: International Legal Foundation. With support of: Canada, South Africa, African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Campaign to Decriminalize Poverty and Status, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, Penal Reform International, Women Beyond Walls
  • Financing Justice: Investing in People-Centered Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Reform

    Organized by: Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. With support of: UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, United Nations Development Programme, Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, Justice Action Coalition, Overseas Development Institute (ODI Global)
  • Advancing Child-Centered Justice: Accelerating SDG 16 through Justice Reform in Times of Global Transformation

    Organized by: Malta. With support of: Canada, France, Sierra Leone, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, Baker McKenzie Pro Bono, Child Friendly Justice European Network, Defence for Children International, ECPAT International, Institute for Inspiring Children's Futures (University of Strathclyde), International Legal Foundation, Legal Empowerment Fund, Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, OECD, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, Penal Reform International, Terre des hommes, Thailand Institute of Justice, UNICEF, World Health Organization
  • Telling a Story for Why Justice Matters: Narrative-Building for People-Centered Criminal Justice Systems

    Organized by: Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. With support of: Hague Institute of Innovation in Law