Second Global Convening on Strengthening Customary and Informal Pathways to People-Centered Justice
- Dec 09 - 10, 2026
- Accra, Ghana
The 2026 Second Global Convening on Strengthening Customary and Informal Pathways to People-Centered Justice, hosted by the Republic of Ghana, will focus on realizing the promise of diverse pathways to justice for preventing conflict and sustaining peace.
A broad array of allies, including ministerial delegations, judicial leaders, representatives of intergovernmental agencies, civil society and grassroots justice defenders, and customary and informal justice providers, will showcase effective engagement between diverse justice stakeholders that enhances access to justice and the rule of law, prevents conflict, and sustains peace, and unite behind a bold shared vision to deliver cost-effective, sustainable, people-centered solutions at-scale.
[The first Global Convening in June 2025, co-organized by 23 partners in Warsaw, Poland, gathered justice leaders from 24 countries for a high-level exchange intended to marshal political support and resources for a transformative shift in advancing people-centered justice.]
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Agenda
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Opening Ceremony
Welcome Remarks Setting the Stage -
High-Level Dialogue
At a Moment of Shrinking Resources, Fragility and Declining Trust in Institutions, Why Should Governments and International Partners Invest in Diverse Pathways to Justice? -
Coffee Break
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Plenary Session I
The Role of CIJ for Preventing Conflict and Sustaining Peace -
Thematic Session 1: Financing Justice: Investing in Customary and Informal Justice
How do we move from recognizing diverse pathways to justice to supporting them responsibly, sustainably, and at scale?
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Lunch
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Thematic Session 2
Digital Pathways to Justice: Opportunities and Risks for Customary and Informal JusticeHow can digital tools strengthen the accessibility, effectiveness and reach of customary and informal justice, while safeguarding inclusion, local ownership and human rights?
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Coffee Break
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Diverse Pathways to Justice in Africa: Evidence, Practice, and Partnerships
Launch of the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice Regional Report on Customary and Informal Justice -
Closing Remarks
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Cocktail Reception
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Learning Workshop: Building a Community of Practice
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Part I: Experiences, Challenges, and Lessons Learned
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Coffee Break
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Part II: Strengthening Programming and Collaboration
More information to come.
Partners
Hosts: The Republic of Ghana in collaboration with the Global Working Group on Customary and Informal Justice and SDG16+
Strategic Partner: Open Society Foundations—Africa
Co-conveners: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, HiiL (The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law), African Alliance for People-Centered Justice, Cordaid, Kituo Cha Sheria, Grassroots Justice Network, African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice, United Nations Peacebuilding and Peace Support (PBPSO), the World Justice Project and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
