The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has been granted special consultative status by the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council for its experience in providing judicial education to juvenile and family law professionals.
This status, adopted by the recommendation of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), allows the NCJFCJ to actively engage and consult with the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, take part in meetings and events held by the UN to present ideas and build an international network to address issues related to the NCJFCJ’s work.
Since 1937, the NCJFCJ, the oldest judicial membership organization in the country, has served as the leader in providing continuing education opportunities, research, technical assistance, and policy development in the field of juvenile and family law. The NCJFCJ’s membership of nearly 2,000 members nationwide and internationally includes members in every state including D.C., and international representation from Guam, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, China, Germany Nigeria, Canada, and Australia.
“Access to fair, equal, effective and timely justice for every child and family is a global issue,” said Joey Orduna Hastings, NCJFCJ CEO. “This special consultative status will help increase international membership and global awareness of the NCJFCJ’s continuing efforts to provide judicial officers and courts involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowledge and skills to improve the lives of the families and children who seek justice.”
Last year, the NCJFCJ sent its first international delegation in eight years to Cuba for an opportunity to meet and learn from Cuban counterparts about the challenges and advances of juvenile and family law in Cuba. Throughout the year, the NCJFCJ partners with the Northern Nevada International Center to host visitors under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program to host meetings to exchange ideas and best practices in trafficking, child welfare, juvenile justice, and family violence. The NCJFCJ is currently planning its next international delegation to visit Mexico City in 2020.