About 2009 IFLA
 
The Legal Aid Foundation of Taiwan (“LAF”) is hosting the "2009 International Forum on Legal Aid" from October 31 st to November 2 nd, 2009 in Taipei (the capital city of Taiwan).  In 2005, LAF hosted the "2005 International Forum on Legal Aid---Legal Aid Fundamentals and Future Development" in Taipei. There were 25 representatives from 17 countries who came to participate in this conference. It has been 4 years since the last forum was hosted. The year of 2009 means a lot for LAF. On one hand, LAF is celebrating the fifth anniversary this year. But on the other hand, hit by the global economic crisis, we are facing the hardest and toughest challenges ever. So, LAF is hosting this forum in order to:
 
  1. To promote dialogue and foster exchange amongst legal aid practitioners and researchers around the world.
  2. To advocate human rights, the rule of law and social justice, all of which  became even more important issues due to these trying economic times.
  3. To facilitate a platform where legal aid groups, particularly in Asia, can cooperate with each other in order to provide better legal aid services to the disadvantaged.
 
There will be 25 delegates from 14 countries to participate in our forum this year. The conference will feature one keynote speech, two National (or regional) reports sessions and three panel discussion sessions. The topic of the keynote speech is Legal Aid under the Global Economic Recession-New Challenges and Opportunities. It’s our honor to have Mr. Ab Currie, Chief Researcher of Department of Justice, Canada to be the keynote speaker. In addition, delegates will present country reports on legal aid in their respective countries, addressing aspects including organizational design, funding, attorney participation, clients’ needs and delivery obstacles. The three panel discussion sessions will facilitate discussions on the following topics: The Rights of Non-nationals and Legal Aid, Criminal Justice, Human Rights, and Legal Aid, and Poverty, Debt, and Legal Aid. All of the three panel discussion sessions will be followed by workshops.
 
We would like to invite lawyers, judges, NGO/NPO workers, public administrators, policymakers, academics and students to attend our forum. Your participation will be invaluable to the success of this event. Thank you.