On 11-12 November 2024 the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) facilitated an event for 20 of its alumni, as part of a series of activities celebrating the Institute’s 10th anniversary, generously supported by the United States Department for State Bureau of Counterterrorism.
The Alumni Event was opened by two inspiring keynote addresses of highly distinguished alumni, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice of Kenya, Ms. Martha Koome and Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Mandiaye Niang. The IIJ was honoured that Her Excellency the President of Malta provided closing remarks on 12 November 2024, addressing the Institute’s alumni in respect of the continued importance of counter terrorism approaches based on the rule of law and human rights.
A diverse group of IIJ alumni from East and West Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Southeast Asia, South America and Europe participated in the event to discuss the ever-changing nature of terrorism and how the criminal justice response has adapted to this over the past decade. Alumni also shared experiences and insights into their engagement with the IIJ, as well as providing critical input to shape the IIJ’s next decade of programming.
Over two days of discussions, the event focused on the IIJ’s impact on the entire spectrum of its counter-terrorism work, including Islamist and racially- and ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE), across four transversal issues (i) the evolution of the terrorism threat, 2014-2024, (ii) investigations, prosecutions and adjudications, (iii) information sharing and network building, (iv) gender and (v) technology and the digital environment.
Alumni presentations, interventions and questions contributed to stimulating discussions on these five key issues of the IIJ portfolios, assisting with the identification of new programmatic focus areas as well as reinforcing existing thematic emphases.