Each nation needs to have a legal framework, with access to justice to maintain law and order for its people. Worldwide, there has been an increase in citizens trying to escape from conflict, persecution in the war-torn areas that exist.
Journalists, human rights activists and trade unionists have been particularly targeted and sadly, several hundred people killed and numerous people have undergone enforced disappearances.
Globally, about one in four children’s birth is not registered and this prohibits proof of legal identity and denies them the social, legal protections, that are needed. Humanity can only be enhanced by being able to live in a peaceful, fair world, with strong judicial systems for all nations.
Further information on Goal 16
Teaching and learning
Peace, justice and strong institutions is a complex area and at the University of Liverpool, students are able to explore these causes and solutions from a number of different perspectives within course modules. Examples of course modules that have a direct or indirect focus on peace, justice and strong institutions (as assessed by students) include:
- Introduction to political theory (POLI105)
- Law and global health (LAW522)
- Media and human rights (COMM317)
- Global Challenges: Development, Inequality, Alternatives (ENVS144)
- Liberty, Justice and the Good Society (PHIL219)
- Global Environmental Crimes and Justice (SOCI344)
We recognise that there is much more to do to equip students with the knowledge and skills that they need to make a contribution to achieving this global goal. Working with the Guild of Students our undergraduates and postgraduates have the opportunity to audit their curriculum modules for their relevance to SDG16: Peace, justice and strong institutions and to make recommendations for changes to the course content. For more information on how students can get involved see the Guild curriculum audit report.
The University has also recently established an Education for Sustainable Development Working Group. This group brings together academics, students and representatives from the Centre for Innovation in Education to develop a strategic plan for embedding SDGs into the curriculum including SDG16.
There are also a number of ways that students can support the aims and objectives of SDG16 through extra-curricula activities, including volunteering opportunities provided by the Guild of Students.
Research and knowledge exchange
The University contributes to the identification of the root problems that can be caused by the lack of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and the potential solutions across many areas of research. Some key examples are:
- The Antislavery Knowledge Network
- International Evidence on the Determinants of Organizational Ethical Vulnerability
Leadership, governance and professional services
Examples of leadership, governance and professional services include:
Ethics and Values Statement
As part of its commitment to employee engagement, the University consulted with staff to develop a set of University of Liverpool Values and Ethics Principles. These values and ethics communicate our practices and aspirations that define how we operate in all areas including decision making, working in partnership with our students and collaborators, local and global impact, and staff offer. For all employees, we aim to create a culture of openness, transparency, and respect, where staff work together for the future success of the University. We will review and refresh our values from time to time to ensure they reflect the changing environment in which we work and what matters to us as employees of the University in the context of the wider organisational strategic goals.
Bullying and Harassment Policy
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