NCSC continuing its work in Latin America
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed our efforts to help court systems in other countries, but NCSC’s International Division continues to receive new work.
The division is partnering with organizations and agencies in Central and South America on these three programs:
- NCSC is working with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals to help with the expansion of juvenile drug courts in Colombia. NCSC’s role is monitoring and evaluating the impact of the expansion, a continuation of earlier efforts in Bogota and Medellin.
- NCSC will promote holistic responses to gender-based violence in Costa Rica in cooperation with that country’s judicial branch, the International Association of Women Judges and local health and law enforcement agencies. The two-year program will train judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, invest in forensic nursing and provide services to victims and survivors.
- NCSC will support efforts to improve the administration of justice in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama in partnership with the U.S. embassies in those countries. This is a continuation of similar work in countries in Latin America that began in 2013.
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is funding all three programs.
“Like many other U.S.-based organizations that work overseas, we’ve had to adapt to pandemic-related challenges,” said Jeff Apperson, International’s vice president. “We’re very happy to support these three programs and are excited to work with the professionals in these countries to help improve the administration of justice there.”
During the pandemic, our International Division employees have used video technology to work with judges, court administrators, prosecutors and others in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The work has involved everything from providing technical assistance, conducting training, and fostering the use of technology for remote services.
Go here to learn more about our work in other countries.