Rule of Law and Governance

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Arizona State University applies cross-disciplinary and regional expertise to promote democracy, improve governmental accountability and transparency, reduce crime and gang violence, and prevent violent extremism. ASU faculty in law, criminology, and public policy, along with a strong international network of legal and development scholars, develop innovative, pragmatic solutions to meet local demand for institutional strengthening, research-based insights and policy analysis, and judicial, legislative and security reform.

Featured capabilities

ASU’s Center for Violence Prevention and Community Solutions develops strategic responses to violent crime in the U.S. and in developing nations through policy analysis, program co-creation with local partners, and training and technical assistance to law enforcement. For over 10 years, the center has partnered with USAID, Organization of American States and United Nations Development Program to address crime and gang violence throughout Latin America and the English-speaking Caribbean.
The Rule of Law & Governance Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, developed in partnership with the McCain Institute for International Leadership, assists governments, civil society organizations, institutions of higher learning, and businesses to develop and strengthen legal systems and governance structures. The program draws on the expertise of over 100 ASU Law faculty specializing in international human rights, energy, and environmental law, as well as foreign legal systems such as sharia law.
ASU’s Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict promotes peace through interdisciplinary research and education that advances knowledge and policy solutions. The center creates links between the academic world and policymakers, practitioners and religious leaders to foster dialogue and action related to the advancement of peace, religious tolerance, women’s rights and development.
The Global Security Initiative employs advanced techniques in data sciences to promote human security, including tools to mine the internet and social media feeds across multiple languages and countries to identify and predict extremist threats.
The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication trains journalists for enhanced reporting skills, media independence and understanding of governance systems.

FEATURED PROJECT

Voz de las Victimas

With support from the U.S. Department of State International Law Enforcement and Narcotics Bureau (INL), ASU is collaborating with Tecnológico de Monterrey, the largest private university in Mexico, to strengthen the ability of criminal justice system participants in oral litigation and victim advocacy techniques. The program provides clinical legal training to state prosecutors, judges, public defenders, victims’ court advocates and NGO attorneys, bringing together diverse actors from different agencies to forge mutual understanding and collaboration. Victim advocacy clinics housed at five Tecnológico de Monterrey campuses throughout Mexico provide training and mentorship to law students who are linked with local state commissions for victim assistance and with non-profits serving in the role of victim advocates — an approach that simultaneously increases systemwide capacity for assisting victims and creates a pipeline of talented victims’ advocates.