FIU Discovery

CAJ employs a multidisciplinary and international staff of specialists, including lawyers, political scientists, public administrators and public policy analysts. It has become a leading source of information and leadership on justice sector reform issues in Latin America. Its assessments have been widely disseminated and have been critical in shaping public policy throughout the region. The Center is also involved in research, technical assistance, preparation of reports and publications, training, and dissemination of information through the mass media. Giving special emphasis on support to local efforts to strengthen and invigorate fair and independent justice systems, CAJ regularly works with public officials, scholars and practitioners in Latin America. International agencies have recognized CAJ's capacity to deliver quality work in a timely fashion while ensuring sound fiscal management of donor's funds. These agencies have awarded over $45 million dollars to CAJ since 1984. The Center advances its academic mission by sponsoring workshops and seminars, producing publications, entering into academic exchange programs and participating in academic workshops and meetings. The Center has held national workshops in six countries to review the state of the justice and to encourage national leaders to address concerns raised at these sessions. Additionally, CAJ has conducted national seminars to review specific issues facing the sector. It has also managed regional conferences on major issues, including: information systems technologies, media-justice relations, court administration, gender issues facing the justice sector, alternative dispute resolution, property registration systems, civil procedure, and the impact of the justice system on indigenous communities. CAJ has also co-sponsored meetings of Presidents of Latin American Supreme Courts and Presidents of Central American Supreme Courts to discuss common issues facing their systems. CAJ has entered into academic cooperation agreements with a number of foreign academic institutions. As part of these agreements, Center staff participated in workshops sponsored by law faculties in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Israel, Nicaragua, Panama, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. **