IBJ encourages positive government relationships.  Fellows should collaborate with governments because NGOs have a limited role in providing government services. Further, the only way to secure institutional change is through government cooperation.

A. Foster dialogue with government stakeholders.

1. Brazil
In his End of Fellowship Report, Aziz cited public prosecutors as providing the most assistance during the project.

2. Philippines
Rommel Abitria helped inmates receive paralegal training to assist with legal matters.  He emphasized the need to work with the government because it was the only way to secure institutional change. NGOs can only ‘fill the gap’ to the government’s services. Thus, NGOs have a limited role in securing institutional change.

3. Vietnam
Oang Hoang Ngo's project focuses on analyzing the legal rights of juvenile and indigent detainees in and around Hanoi. She also intends to provide training for lawyers on this issue, and her work requires a lot of government interaction. Oanh’s application highlighted the fact that well-trained lawyers are needed to ensure that a sound juvenile legal aid network in Vietnam can be established. In order to achieve this, she has collaborated with the Bar Association, Ministry of Justice, and universities. The first training she held was attended by various dignitaries, including the Vice Chief Judge of Bacnih Province, the Head of the Appeal and Procuracy Department for the Hanoi prosecutor, the Vice-President of the Vietnam Bar Association, the Vice-Chief of the Vietnam Legal Aid Bureau, and two international lawyers from Warsaw, Poland. More than 200 lawyers-in-training were also present. By collaborating with the government to run these sessions, Oanh is able to foster long-term relationships and governmental support for other such initiatives. Oanh’s work to establish a strong support network can help ensure that her changes in Vietnamese juvenile justice will ultimately by systemic and long-lasting.
Last modified: Saturday, 17 June 2017, 8:09 PM