WJA and Colombia call for participation in World Law Congress

The World Jurist Association and the city of Barranquilla invited everyone to participate in the next World Law Congress on the 2nd and 3rd of December

 The Ministry of Justice and Law of Colombia, the Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla and the World Jurist Association (WJA) presented a virtual press conference this 26 October, through which they extended an invitation to anyone who would like to participate in the next edition of the World Law Congress, which they will welcome on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2021.

With the participation of Javier Cremades García, president of the WJA (pictured bottom left), Wilson Ruiz Orjuela, Minister of Justice and Law of Colombia (pictured top right) and Jaime Pumarejo Heins, Mayor of Barranquilla (pictured top left, to the right), the spectators had the opportunity to listen to their statements, appreciations and congratulations regarding the development of the anticipated event.

The World Law Congress 2021, under the theme “Peace through law” will be attended by His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, as well as the most select of the world of law and jurisprudence, united by a world governed by law and not by force, who will gather in the auditorium of Puerta de Oro in Barranquilla.

Beginning with thanks and invitations Jaime Pumarejo, declared that: “it is a historic moment for Colombia, not only for Barranquilla, because at this time when we have so many challenges as humanity, this event comes to remind us of the most important and what we have all fought for: to preserve the Rule of Law to obtain peace […] We are confident that this event will leave a mark in Colombia for many decades”.

Congratulating the mayor and connecting with his words, Javier Cremades affirmed that: “to protect every person, to protect their dignity and their freedom, we need to have a system of laws that govern us”. He also took the opportunity to recall that one of the association’s most important awards, the Liberty Award, will be presented next year to chancellor Angela Merkel, and that for the first time a recognition will also be given to the Colombian nation.

The conversation continued with María Eugenia Gay, president of the Spanish chapter of the WJA (pictured bottom right), who highlighted the importance of having this type of event, as it is, in her words: “an opportunity for understanding that brings together the most outstanding personalities from the world of law, politics and diplomacy […] These events demonstrate that the evolution of the world has always been in the hands of the jurists, of those who have written the universal declaration of human rights, those who have created the States, those who have created the constitutions […] they are the ones who will end up writing the history of humanity. Today we are dealing with what is going to be another milestone in the world history of law, which is going to take place in Barranquilla and will be a very propitious environment […] for us to gradually consolidate democracies throughout the world”.

For his part, Wilson Ruiz Orjuela stated that this hybrid scenario, which will be carried out both virtually and in person, is a space that “will not only be of benefit to the political and legal institutions of our country, but will also have a positive effect on the private sector and society. […] For us, as a government, it is vital that citizens know their rights, protect the law and comply with it, in order to achieve a healthy and peaceful coexistence”.

Javier Cremades also highlighted the 4 main topics to be discussed at the congress: new technologies, climate change, constitutional reforms and the protagonism of women. Finally, he concluded: “Everyone is invited. Students, professionals, people interested in learning about how to live in society, what the rules of the game are and how law can be seen from different spheres.It is a great event where we celebrate a reflection on how law guarantees security if we submit ourselves to it. Welcome everyone!”