Report Release: Legal Solutions for Sustainable Futures in South Asia
Released as part of the Rule of Law Expertise UK (ROLE UK) programme, and in collaboration with Advocates for International Development (A4ID), the ‘Legal Solutions for Sustainable Futures in South Asia’ report was researched and drafted by JUST Impact to shed light on how pro bono legal work can contribute to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The UN sustainable development agenda, released in 2015 as a globally coordinated effort to address the world’s largest and most pressing issues affecting people, planet, prosperity and peace, has been met with significant challenges over the 7 years since its release. The COVID-19 pandemic, a sharp rise in geopolitical conflict, and a variety of other knock-on impacts have created a global cost-of-living crisis, stifling hopes of achievement by 2030.
What remains clear however, is that cooperation — between and within nations, amongst sectors and amidst professions — will be essential to correcting the course. The ‘Legal Solutions for Sustainable Futures in South Asia’ report contributes expertise to one such piece of the puzzle: the role of lawyers and the legal sector in facilitating development that is viable, equitable and sustainable for both citizens and the nations to which they belong.
The 81-page report highlights how grassroots actors: lawyers, legal activists and legal academic institutions, are working to elevate the perspectives and plights of individuals and communities across three different country case studies in South Asia. Taking a deep dive into the work of The Legal Circle (Bangladesh), the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (Nepal), and Project 39A (India), the ways in which each of these organisations are addressing important gaps in SDG progress are showcased; focussing on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), respectively.
On the contribution of JUST Impact to the report, Advocates for International Development (A4ID), said:
“We are grateful to Chandni Brown and Felix Brown of JUST Impact for undertaking the research and drafting of this report. As specialists in bridging the grassroots with the big picture, their contributions have helped elevate the stories of A4ID’s in-country partners amidst the wider global landscape.”
You can access the full report here, including in-depth case studies on Bangladesh, Nepal and India.
If you would like to discuss the contents of the report, or think your organisation may benefit from a similar piece of independent research, please get in touch with us via the ‘Contact us’ form, or by emailing info@justimpact.co.uk.
