17 Oct 2017 - by A4ID

Global Forum in Budapest Looks to Reclaim Law as a Force for Good

The 2017 PILnet Global Forum, taking place in Budapest, Hungary from 16-19 October, has at its core an ambitious initiative familiar to A4ID: to “reclaim law as a force of good”.

The 2017 PILnet Global Forum, taking place in Budapest, Hungary from 16-19 October, has at its core an ambitious initiative familiar to A4ID: to “reclaim law as a force of good”.

The forum aims to connect leading activists, academics, pro bono professionals and public interest law champions from around the world, and provide them with opportunities to share the most effective techniques and skills of the legal profession to benefit public interest. The forum chimes with A4ID’s imperative to operate globally and connect the expertise of legal partners with the needs of development partners working in the world’s poorest regions.

By bringing together the burgeoning community that upholds the vital importance and impact of pro bono from law firms, corporations, bar organisations, NGOs, and law schools, the forum offers a vibrant environment where supporters can explore how they can best collaborate to address critical issues of social justice.

One particular issue to be discussed at the Global Forum that is close to the core values of A4ID regards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Consequently, A4ID Chief Executive, Yasmin Batliwala, will chair a panel on Measuring Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals on Wednesday 18 October in Budapest, Hungary.

Yasmin will highlight some of the biggest challenges facing the global communities progress towards SDGs. With only 13 years left to achieve 17 varied and ambitious targets—from ending malnutrition to ensuring access to sale and affordable housing for all—the panel will consider the progress made thus far, and scrutinise means of measurement to ensure the targets are properly met.

Yasmin’s fellow panellists include director of pro bono at Clifford Chance, Tom Dunn, and Louis O’Neill, who advises White and Case’s international pro bono and commercial clients on a broad array of matters concentrating on arbitration and criminal law.

More information, including a full agenda, on the PILnet 2017 Global Forum can be found here.