A roundtable on the Judicial Education, with an explicit objective to draw parameters for the future of Judicial Academies

Lahore, 13-14 May 2017 -  A two days successful event was hosted by Punjab Judicial Academy, Lahore in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with extensive consultative sessions focused under the title of "Judicial Education System and Future Role of Judicial Academies". 

The event was conducted in two parts: day one was conducted at Flatties Hotel Auditorium, and utilized for consultative sessions on different thematic areas articulating with the needs of education system in Judiciary. The inauguration was done by the honorable Justice of Lahore High Court, Shujat Ali Khan and subsequently a welcoming speech with elaboration on key objectives of event was deliberated upon by Director General Punjab Judicial Academy, Mahrukh Aziz. Several international and national experts shared their respective thoughts with the concerned audience, having special emphasis on drawing tangible recommendations for the future roadmap of Judicial Academies in the country. The subjects covered were: Curriculum development and Review for Judges and Court Staff; Information Technology and Distance Learning; Monitoring and Training Evaluation; Faculty Development and Linkages; Research and Publications; and Administration of Judicial Education Institutions. Also United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Pakistan's Criminal Justice advisor Ms. Jouhaida Hanano was given an opportunity to aware participants on the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Global Judicial Integrity Network and Training Manager Aftab Shuaib to explain the linkage of IT based, United Nations Global eLearning initiative for capacity building of human resource.

Second part of event was conducted at Punjab Judicial Academy Auditorium, in the gracious presence of Honorable Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Syed. Mansoor Ali Shah as the Chief Guest. Director General Punjab Judicial Academy, Mahrukh Aziz welcome all the honorable guests and commend the efforts of all participants to make the event a success. Afterwards, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Country Representative Mr. Cesar Guedes addressed the august house comprised of honorable Judges of Lahore High Court, Legal professionals and academia's of civil society. He highlighted the need of continuance and sustainable human resource development for an organization and awareness on international best practices. He also presented an overview of all the global initiatives, UNODC is undertaking in the criminal justice system across the world and in Pakistan.  He assured the legal fraternity on the resolve of UNODC country office Pakistan's to provide utmost support in the future endeavors also. After that honorable Mrs. Justice Ayesha A. Malik of Lahore High Court presented the Lahore Declaration on Future of Judicial Academies. She explained to the house on the decisions and recommendations reached through the previous day consultative sessions.