The World Bank’s Global Partnerships and Trust Fund Operations Department in cooperation with the Tokyo Development Learning Center and the World Bank Tokyo Office, will hold the sixth Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) Dialogue Series on October 30, 2013. 

This session will highlight the important role that JSDF continues to play as well as challenges and achievements of one of the JSDF’s projects in Jordan, namely, “Enhancing Community-Driven Legal Aid Services to the Poor” by bringing together key stakeholders involved in the project.  This seminar will present an overview of the project, the innovative aspects of its preparation, planning and execution as well as lessons learned and results to date. The beneficiaries will connect via teleconferencing and share their rich experiences as active members in the planning and execution of the project.

Despite gradual introduction of reforms, the judiciary bodies and legal services in Jordan are still underdeveloped, particularly as regards services to the poorest communities. The JSDF “Enhancing Community-Driven Legal Aid Services to the Poor” project administered by the World Bank, is supporting legal empowerment of the most vulnerable persons by improving justice sector services, based on the priorities of these poor communities and by allowing them to participate actively in project execution and monitoring.

Legal aid services are an important means to promote greater access to justice for poor persons.  When targeted properly, legal aid ensures that the poor are aware of the rules that affect them, and learn how to hold the legal system accountable for enforcing them. Legal aid also functions as a ‘gateway’ service, allowing beneficiaries to access other services, such as court proceedings, entitlements, social protection benefits, and so forth.  When designed and implemented effectively, legal aid can also play a role in promoting equality and inclusion of poor communities.  

This four-year project is building the capacity of the Justice Center for Legal Aid, the largest legal aid provider in and around Amman, to deliver legal aid services in a more effective and sustainable manner to over 15,000 beneficiaries, increase accessibility to justice and give hope to the poorest communities.

“The Justice Center for Legal Aid is the brother, the uncle and the father that stood beside me in my time of need. I will never forget what they did to help.” -Project Beneficiary

To view the video on the Justice Center for Legal Aid (JCLA), please visit below sites.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo_FmraV9oI

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKViT61KEp4&feature=endscreen

■　Program

17:30-18:30     "JSDF and Civil Society Organizations",
                        Yolaine Joseph, Senior Operations Officer, Global partnerships and Trust Fund Operations (CFTPO), World Bank

18:30-19:00     "Background of the Project in Jordan"
                        Yukako Hiraki, Communications Officer, World Bank Tokyo Office

19:00-20:30     "Enhancing Community-Driven Legal Aid Services to the Poor"