Advancing People-Centered Justice in Africa: Building Just Societies for All
October 28, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.–5:45 p.m. [GMT (UTC+0)]
Virtual & In-Person | Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Organized by the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice, Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, United Nations Development Programme, and Pathfinders, Open Society Foundation, and the Government of Sierra Leone
About the Forum
Across Africa, millions of people seek the resolution of the justice problems that matter most in their lives—from land disputes and family matters to access to services and protection of environmental rights. However, for many, justice systems remain distant, costly, or difficult to navigate. A significant justice gap persists, particularly for women, youth, displaced populations, and marginalized communities. Closing this gap is not only a matter of fairness, but also a foundation for preventing conflict, sustaining peace, and building resilient societies. When people trust that their disputes can be resolved fairly and peacefully, grievances are less likely to escalate into violence. Building on the work of the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice and drawing inspiration from the successful Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on People-Centered Justice in 2024, the African Regional Forum on People-Centered Justice will convene a diverse set of stakeholders to chart a path forward for people-centered justice in Africa.
Held alongside the Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the forum will create a unique platform to elevate African experiences, promote collaboration, and strengthen political commitment toward accessible, inclusive, and responsive justice systems. A key outcome will be an Administrative Resolution by the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice on advancing People-Centered Justice in Africa.
This one-day forum on people-centered justice in Africa will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organizations, legal practitioners, researchers, donors, and representatives from marginalized communities, for a day of interactive dialogue and shared learning. The event will feature a mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and participatory breakout sessions designed to surface practical solutions, highlight innovative approaches, and strengthen collaboration across sectors. With an emphasis on inclusion and meaningful engagement, the forum aims to deepen understanding of people-centered justice approaches and foster collective strategies to advance equitable and effective justice systems in Africa. Special attention will be given to exploring how justice reform and community-based approaches can act as preventive tools against conflict, build trust in institutions, and strengthen social resilience.
The event will also mark the launch of the Africa Regional Report on People-Centered Justice, offering fresh insights and evidence to inform policy and practice across the continent. Through these milestones, the forum will help strengthen networks and partnerships, mobilizing knowledge, resources, and coordinated support for people-centered justice initiatives. By connecting justice to peacebuilding and resilience goals, the forum will also position people-centered justice as an essential pillar of sustainable peace and stability in Africa.
Concept Note
Objectives
- Mobilize high-level political commitment to advance people-centered justice approaches across Africa.
- Facilitate the exchange of promising practices and innovations that strengthen access to justice, promote inclusion, prevent conflict, build resilience, and uphold human rights.
- Promote the generation and use of justice data and evidence to inform policy development, programming, and resource allocation.
- Strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships and regional collaboration among governments, regional bodies, civil society, CIJ actors, the private sector, and development partners.
- Adopt an Administrative Resolution setting out a shared vision, strategic priorities, and collective actions to advance people-centered justice across the continent.
- Launch an African Regional Report on People-Centered Justice.
Forum Agenda