IDLO is the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development. We have experience working in more than 90 countries around the world with various legal systems. Our network includes thousands of trusted experts, alumni and partners. Established as an intergovernmental organization in 1988, IDLO has had United Nations Observer Status since 2001.
OUR VISION
A world in which every person lives with dignity and equality under the rule of law
OUR MISSION
We champion people-centered justice and promote the rule of law to advance sustainable development and help build more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.
OUR VALUES
- Sustainability
- People-Centered
- Gender Equality
- Local Ownership
- Human Rights
- Legal Pluralism
- Transparency and Accountability
- Partnership
HOW IDLO WAS BORN
IDLO was preceded by the International Development Law Institute (IDLI) which was established in 1983 as a non-governmental organization (NGO) to provide training and technical assistance to lawyers and other legal professionals from developing countries.
WHAT WE DO
Peace and democracy are universal and related values: when one is lacking, the other is endangered. Both in their own right and in order to secure the premises of development, IDLO treats peace and democracy as sine qua non. But peace and democracy do not come easy: they are achieved by working, gradually, often painstakingly, on laws and institutions. Strong institutions make strong nations; good laws make good citizens. For fragile and post-conflict societies in particular, efforts to foster inclusive Constitutions, integrity in government and a robust judiciary are the soundest form of investment: they create the premises for stability, public trust and national reconstruction. Its long experience makes IDLO the partner of choice in helping attain these objectives. Different societies have different needs: if peace is the same everywhere, democracy takes many forms. Our solutions are therefore non-prescriptive and mindful of context – bespoke tools to realize bold ideals.
To reform laws is to reform societies. At IDLO, this is something that we have had thirty years to learn. And there are no more important laws than fundamental laws – national Constitutions.
By transferring resources from public to private hands, corruption negates the benefits of development. Similarly, favoritism and nepotism are the antithesis of fairness and equality.
Public trust and confidence in justice sector institutions is key to investment and commercial transactions, and necessary for sustainable development and social change.
IDLO is working to combat all forms of corruption by making justice institutions more responsive, reducing conflicts of interest in procurement and public life, and enhancing the capacity of institutions and justice actors.
Efficient, equitable and accessible justice systems are the lifeblood of the rule of law. For many years, building judicial capacity in the developing world was IDLO's sole area of intervention.
The right to freedom of religion is one of the most fundamental human rights and one of the few that is required to be protected not just in times of peace, but also in times of war.