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.
Register for the forum today!October 28, 2025 | 08:30–18:00 [GMT (UTC+0)]
Virtual & In-Person | Location: Banjul, The Gambia (TBC)
Co-organized by the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice, Grassroots Justice Network, Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Sierra Leone, Open Society Foundations, Pathfinders, Terre de Hommes, and United Nations Development Programme
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 promoting the adoption of a 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.
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9:00 a.m. |
Registration and Welcome Tea/Coffee
|
| 9:00–9:30 a.m. |
Opening of the ForumWelcome Address Framing the Conversation |
| 9:30–10:45 a.m. |
Plenary 1: AU and Regional MechanismsHigh-Level roundtable moderated by Pathfinders: “Leveraging AU and Regional Mechanisms to Strengthen Access to Justice for All” This discussion will explore how AU and regional bodies like ACHPR, ECOWAS, EAC, and SADC, can be instrumental in expanding access to justice, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized communities. It will focus on aligning regional legal instruments with national justice policies, promoting cross-border cooperation, and sharing best practices to ensure equitable justice delivery across African states. The session will also highlight how effective regional cooperation on justice contributes to conflict prevention, fosters peaceful dispute resolution, and reinforces institutional resilience across borders. |
| 10:45–11:00 a.m. |
Coffee/Tea Break |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. |
Plenary 2: Data, Research, and Evidence on JusticeInteractive roundtable moderated by HiiL: “From Numbers to Needs: Using Data to Build People-Centered Justice in Africa” This session will emphasize the importance of data, research, and evidence in shaping effective, transparent, and equitable justice systems. It will explore best practices for collecting and utilizing data, strengthening research capacity, and fostering evidence-based policies that enhance justice administration across African countries. It will also highlight ongoing work by members of the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice in collecting and using data on people-centered justice. By grounding decisions in robust evidence, justice actors can more effectively identify early warning signs of conflict, address underlying grievances, and design interventions that strengthen peacebuilding and societal resilience. |
| 12:15–13:30 p.m. |
Lunch Break |
| 13:30–14:45 p.m. |
Plenary 3: Ensuring No One is Left Behind: Justice for ChildrenPanel discussion moderated by Terres de Hommes: “From Vulnerability to Voice: Realizing Justice for Children in Africa“ This session will explore how to advance justice for children within people-centered justice efforts in Africa. It will bring together key stakeholders to discuss practical approaches for making justice systems more accessible, protective, and responsive to children’s rights. The session will highlight innovations, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen child-sensitive justice, with a focus on participation, protection, and legal empowerment. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of child-sensitive justice systems in preventing cycles of violence, fostering reconciliation, and equipping young people with the resilience to contribute to peaceful and inclusive societies |
| 14:45–16:00 p.m. |
Plenary 4: Advancing Diverse Pathways to JusticePanel discussion moderated by UNDP: “Building Bridges–Promoting Diverse Pathways to Justice through a People-Centered Approach” This topic will highlight the importance of inclusive, culturally sensitive justice practices specific to the African context. It will encourage the sharing of good practices, innovative models, and community-led initiatives that advance equity, reconciliation, and social cohesion across diverse African communities. It will invite discussion on grassroots initiatives that prioritize the voices and needs of underserved communities, fostering equitable and accessible justice systems. In doing so, it will underline how such approaches can diffuse tensions, build mutual trust, and serve as vital mechanisms for conflict prevention and community resilience. |
| 16:00–16:15 p.m. |
Coffee/Tea Break |
| 16:15–17:00 p.m. |
Forum ClosingClosing Remarks and Launch of the People-Centered Justice Report, Closing reflections on the day’s discussions and officially launching the People-Centered Justice in Africa Report by the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice, highlighting its key findings and recommendations. Promote the Adoption of an Administrative Resolution on People-Centered Justice, Commissioner of the African Commission for Human and People’s Promoting the adoption of the Resolution on People-Centered Justice, marking a collective commitment to advance justice as a foundation for sustainable development and equity in Africa. |
| 17:00–18:00 p.m. |
Networking Reception
Informal opportunity for participants to connect and share experiences |
