The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is marking two decades of work advancing improvements to laws and legal systems in emerging nations around the world. Among its many efforts, ABA ROLI works in opposition to systemic rape in Congo, trains judges to handle election disputes in Kyrgyzstan and boosts public attorney efficiency in the Philippines.

American Bar Association

ABA ROLI is a non-profit program grounded in the belief that rule of law encouragement is the most efficient long-term antidote to the most urgent problems facing the world today, including poverty, conflict, endemic corruption and disregard for human rights.

As part of its 20-year anniversary celebration, ABA ROLI has compiled an online historic display of threats to the rule of law across the globe and ROLI projects that successfully respond to those threats. The initiative is active in more than 70 countries in all areas of the world.

ROLI is also hosting a commemorative fundraising gala on Oct. 14th at 7:30 p.m. to be held at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave.) that recognizes greatly flourishing programs and outlines the future of rule of law efforts. Former Chief Justice of South Africa Arthur Chaskalson and Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will be honored with the 2010 Rule of Law Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award, correspondingly.