Announcement: Justice 21 Task Force - Legal Literacy Initiative
We are proud to have launched the Justice 21 Task Force - Legal Literacy Initiative on 21 September 2024, the International Day of Peace, a pioneering program aimed at empowering individuals and communities through education about their legal rights and responsibilities. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between the legal system and the public, making justice more accessible to all, regardless of social, economic, or educational background. By offering workshops, seminars, and digital resources, the initiative fosters a deeper understanding of legal principles, enabling citizens to navigate the legal system effectively, advocate for themselves, and ensure fair treatment under the law.
We believe that by promoting legal literacy, we can create a more informed, equitable society where justice truly serves everyone. To achieve this goal, we invite organizations, community leaders, and citizens to join us in this critical mission. Your support and participation are vital in helping us bring justice to every corner of our community.
Connect with us to explore partnership opportunities and contribute to this impactful cause. Together, we can make a lasting difference in empowering people and making justice accessible for all.
"The launch of the initiative is the first step in creating a consortium of civil society organizations as a foundation for working with the legal private sector, academia, technologists, and, most importantly, active citizens who assert their own agency to empower justice through their knowledge and actions.
Protecting justice ensures freedom and secures democracy. It is worth knowing, and it is worth fighting for!"
- Marisa Monteiro Borsboom
But what is legal literacy?
Legal literacy refers to the knowledge and understanding of legal rights, responsibilities, and the law itself. It empowers individuals to recognize, interpret, and navigate legal matters that may affect them in their personal and professional lives. Legal literacy includes awareness of basic laws, rights, duties, and the legal processes through which people can seek justice or protection.
The goal of legal literacy is to enable people to make informed decisions, understand when their rights are being violated, and know how to access legal support or remedies. It also promotes active citizenship, as individuals who are legally literate are better equipped to participate in democratic processes, advocate for social justice, and contribute to a law-abiding society.
Legal literacy can be promoted through education, awareness campaigns, and legal aid services to help reduce the barriers to justice.
How we aim to do it
This initiative is aimed at fostering legal awareness and understanding through the implementation of a Forum for Citizenship and Legal Literacy and a National Legal Literacy Plan. The Forum for Citizenship and Legal Literacy, to be held in both Lisbon and The Hague, will serve as a platform for discussions on active citizenship and the importance of legal literacy. Additionally, the National Legal Literacy Plan will involve an awareness-raising and training program targeting key stakeholders such as teachers, trainers, and associations, with the goal of promoting communication and awareness actions for the general public, including companies, students, and citizens of all ages. Pilot initiatives will be carried out in Portugal and the Netherlands as part of this endeavor.
Endorsements
This initiative is designed to be endorsed by individuals and will be supported by organisations and governmental entities. Besides the support of its Founder, Marisa Monteiro Borsboom, this initiative also has the endorsement of its Patrons:
This initiative also already has the support and endorsement of other prominent individuals such as:
International Day of Peace
The Justice 21 Task Force - Legal Literacy Initiative was launched on the International Day of Peace to emphasise the intrinsic link between peace and justice. True peace is not only the absence of conflict but also the presence of fairness, equality, and legal empowerment for all individuals. By launching this initiative on such a significant day, we highlight the role of legal literacy in fostering a just society where people are equipped to protect their rights, resolve disputes peacefully, and advocate for fairness. Informed citizens are the cornerstone of lasting peace, and this initiative aligns with the global vision of justice as a foundation for a peaceful world.
