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WORLD JURIST ASSOCIATION
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY · EIN 520797920 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE Q300 · International Affairs · Micro (<$100K) · worldjurist.org
revenue
$90K
expenses
$24K
net assets
$136K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

AS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION WITH SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, THE WJA PROVIDES A UNIQUE FORUM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH GOVERNMENTS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO FOSTER A COOPERATIVE DIALOGUE ON WORLD PEACE. THROUGH OUR SUPPORT, DECISION-MAKERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WORK TOGETHER AS INDIVIDUALS, RATHER THAN REPRESENTATIVES OF A PARTICULAR COUNTRY, CLASS OR IDEOLOGY.

profile · synthesized from sources

International nonprofit with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council that promotes global dialogue on peace and the rule of law. The organization honors judges, legal scholars, and public figures through its Medal of Honor program and convenes global legal leaders. It operates through partnerships with governments, NGOs, and international associations.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

WJA Medal of Honor
Annual awards recognizing distinguished jurists, legal scholars, judges, and public figures for contributions to justice, the rule of law, and human rights. Ceremonies held in locations including New York, Madrid, Málaga, Santo Domingo, and Barranquilla.
World Law Congress
International gathering of legal professionals and institutions to discuss the rule of law, judicial independence, and global legal cooperation. Hosted in Málaga in 2019 with academic leadership from Manuel Aragón.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Human Rights Advocacy & Accountability 2 activities
    • Advances Rule of Law through legal frameworks and global initiatives
      Works to establish legal frameworks that promote peace without reliance on force and advances the Rule of Law as a foundation for lasting peace. Champions initiatives such as the People’s Promise in Support of the Rule of Law, a global manifesto defending judicial independence and combating disinformation.
    • Builds global networks for children's legal rights
      Launched Jurists for Children Worldwide in partnership with Just Rights for Children to create a global network of legal professionals dedicated to advancing justice for children and combating child trafficking.
  • AI Governance and Ethical Research 1 activity
    • Conducts research on digital law and emerging technologies
      Leads the Rule of Law Digital Center, a research and innovation platform focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital rights, fostering dialogue on the intersection of technology and legal systems.
  • Legal Professional Development & Networking 1 activity
    • Delivers judicial training and capacity-building programs
      Provides specialized training for judges and legal professionals to enhance judicial expertise, consistency in legal application, and court independence. Includes the World Jurist Young Program, a judicial exchange modeled on ERASMUS, focused on human rights and jurist training in Latin America.
  • Conflict and Geopolitical Research Analysis 1 activity
    • Promotes cooperative international dialogue on peace and justice
      Works collaboratively with governments, NGOs, and international associations to advance world peace through law, supporting decision-makers as individuals independent of national or ideological representation. Focuses on long-term structural change and strengthening democratic institutions.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Recognizes individuals and institutions advancing justice and human rights
      Administers an awards program that honors outstanding contributions to justice, human dignity, and the Rule of Law, including the World Peace & Liberty Award and specialized honors such as the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honor for women jurists and an award honoring Professor Dr. Rainer Arnold.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Hosts international forum for Rule of Law advocacy at the United Nations
      Operates as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, providing a forum for international dialogue on the Rule of Law and cooperative peacebuilding. Engages global stakeholders to strengthen legal institutions and democratic resilience.
    • Organizes biennial World Law Congress and associated award ceremonies
      Convenes global legal and governmental leaders through the biennial World Law Congress, serving as a platform for international dialogue and the presentation of major awards including the World Peace & Liberty Award and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honor. Events have been held in locations such as Madrid, Málaga, Rome, Barranquilla, New York, and Santo Domingo.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$90K
Contributions & grants$85K94%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$1170%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$24K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$136K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$136K
3 years on record · 2023–2025 · YoY revenue +13322.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 1
  • TEODORA TOMA — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
relationships · 24

Who they work with

  • American Bar Association Partner — Multiple leaders of the American Bar Association have received the WJA Medal of Honor, including Hilarie Bass, Patricia Lee Refo, and Reginald Turner.
  • American Bar Association Partner — Supported the inaugural 1963 World Law Congress in Athens.
  • Athens Bar Association Partner — Supported the inaugural 1963 World Law Congress in Athens.
  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights Partner — Collaborates with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on the World Jurist Young Program to promote human rights and train jurists in Latin America.
  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights Partner — Strategic alliance to advance human rights and democratic values
  • Just Rights for Children Partner — Partnered with Just Rights for Children to launch Jurists for Children Worldwide, a global network to advance justice for children and combat child trafficking.
  • Just Rights for Children Partner — Strategic alliance to advance human rights and democratic values
  • Organization of American States Government — Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, received the WJA Medal of Honor in 2023.
  • Reynolds Foundation Partner — Strategic alliance to advance human rights and democratic values
  • Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Partner — Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, received the WJA Medal of Honor in 2023.
  • Tatiana Foundation Partner — Co-manages the World Jurist Young Program with the Tatiana Foundation to strengthen human rights promotion and jurist training in Latin America.
  • Tatiana Foundation Partner — Strategic alliance to advance human rights and democratic values
  • The Reynolds Foundation Partner — Maintains an institutional alliance with The Reynolds Foundation to co-author and promote the People’s Promise in Support of the Rule of Law.
  • The World Justice Project Partner — Recipient of the WJA Medal of Honor in 2021.
  • United Nations Economic and Social Council Government — Holds special consultative status
  • United Nations Economic and Social Council Government — Holds special consultative status, enabling engagement with the international body on matters of global peace and rule of law.
  • United Nations Office of Legal Affairs Partner — Recipient of the WJA Medal of Honor in 2023.
  • World Association of Judges Network — Component organization within the World Peace Through Law Center (World Jurist Association) working to strengthen international rule of law
  • World Association of Law Professors Network — Component organization within the World Peace Through Law Center (World Jurist Association) working to strengthen international rule of law
  • World Association of Lawyers Network — Component organization within the World Peace Through Law Center (World Jurist Association) working to strengthen international rule of law
  • World Jurist Association Government — Provides the philosophical foundation and moral authority, while the World Law Foundation serves as its operational and executive arm.
  • World Law Foundation Network — World Jurist Association is associated with the World Law Foundation through shared leadership.
  • World Law Foundation Partner — Co-established the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honor with the World Jurist Association.
  • World Law Foundation Partner — Partner organization that has supported the World Jurist Association's awards system.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Demonstration Trials to Shift Public Demand Toward Legal Resolution
    methodology: public-advocacy-through-legal-simulation
    By simulating cross-national judicial processes through Demonstration Trials, the organization generates public awareness and demand for courts over war in international disputes, because visible, credible demonstrations of legal dispute resolution make abstract principles tangible and politically salient.
  • Future-Oriented Rule of Law Innovation in Digital Spheres
    methodology: future-oriented_rule_of_law_innovation
    By addressing emerging legal challenges in AI, cybersecurity, and digital rights through research and dialogue, the organization ensures the Rule of Law evolves with technological change, because proactive adaptation prevents regulatory vacuums and maintains legal legitimacy in new domains.
  • Legal Frameworks as Foundation for Sustainable Peace
    methodology: peace-through-legal-frameworks
    By promoting legal frameworks over military or coercive means, the organization produces sustainable peace because binding, predictable legal systems generate long-term stability and public legitimacy more effectively than force-based interventions.
  • Peace Through Law via Individual-Based Dialogue
    methodology: track_two_diplomacy
    By convening decision-makers as individuals rather than national or ideological representatives, the organization fosters impartial, cooperative dialogue that de-escalates geopolitical tensions and builds consensus around legal solutions, because personal engagement bypasses state-level polarization and enables trust-based collaboration.
  • Recognition of Excellence to Inspire Global Justice Norms
    methodology: honors-based_recognition
    By honoring leaders who exemplify the Rule of Law, gender equality, and transformative justice, the organization strengthens global norms and inspires future generations, because high-profile recognition elevates role models and institutionalizes aspirational standards in the legal profession.