As the World Justice Forum 2025 drew to a close in Warsaw, Poland, Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO of Accountability Lab, delivered the Forum’s final plenary remarks. The Forum, hosted by the World Justice Project, convened a global network of justice advocates, civil society leaders, policymakers, and reformers to reflect on how civic space, institutional integrity, and citizen participation can be protected at a time when democratic backsliding is accelerating around the world.

Speaking on behalf of the Lab’s translocal network and partners, Glencorse reflected on what made this year’s gathering so urgent, and shared how the Lab is putting the newly launched Warsaw Principles into action.

A call for courage and community

Glencorse began by thanking the World Justice Forum team and sending greetings from Accountability Lab colleagues across more than 15 countries.

“It has been an honor to be back here in Warsaw, standing alongside such a committed community of rule of law champions,” he said. “At a time when civic space is shrinking, institutions are under siege, and trust in leadership is crumbling, the Forum has reminded us that our best defense is not just technical expertise, it’s collective courage. I’m leaving energized and inspired.”

Three takeaways from the Forum

From the Lab’s perspective, three core takeaways stood out.

First, reversing the global recession in the rule of law is not just about improving legal systems; it’s about rebuilding trust. That trust, Glencorse emphasized, is earned through responsiveness, integrity, and participation. Reform must come not only from the top down, but from the bottom up. Norms – how people experience and influence institutions are as important as the institutions themselves.

Second, people, particularly young people, must be at the centre of these efforts. “We heard again and again here that the next generation isn’t just demanding better governance, they’re building it,” he noted. Reflecting on a line from a panel discussion the previous day, Glencorse said: “We must all be citizens, not just individuals. For those of us who are youth alumni, our job is to listen, invest, and get out of the way.”

Third, civic space is both the battleground and the solution. Whether in courtrooms, newsrooms, or public squares, online or offline, the ability to protect civic voices will determine whether the rule of law advances or retreats in the coming decade.

Aligning with the Warsaw Principles

Glencorse then turned to the Warsaw Principles, launched at the Forum as a framework for strengthening justice systems and civic space around the world.

“These principles provide not just a north star, but a concrete framework for action.”

He highlighted three that particularly resonate with the Lab’s work:

• Principle 3: Protecting Civic Space – aligns with Accountability Lab’s mission to create the conditions for citizen voice and government accountability. “Our work is rooted in the idea that communities should shape the rules that govern their lives, and speak truth to power without fear.”

• Principle 5: Advancing Integrity and Anti-Corruption – speaks to the Lab’s belief that honest government is not just an ideal, it’s a right. “Through our work, we’re shifting norms and elevating public servants who lead with accountability.”

• Principle 10: Enabling Collective Action – reflects how the Lab operates daily, “bringing together reformers across government, civil society, media, and the private sector to push for systemic, sustainable change.”

Three Commitments from Accountability Lab

Glencorse stressed that principles mean little without action. That’s why the Lab is making three concrete commitments over the next 12 months to support the Warsaw Principles:

1. Launch and scale Civic Strength Partners
   The Lab is building out Civic Strength Partners, a new facility to support civil society with organizational transformations and synergies. This includes technical and financial assistance for partnerships, mergers, project hand-offs, and other structural changes. “This effort has the financial and technical expertise to ensure we can protect the value and assets within civil society at this difficult time,” Glencorse said. “If you are in need of this kind of support, please let us know.”

2. Grow AL Ventures
   Through AL Ventures, the Lab is investing in new civic technologies that can support justice and the rule of law. “We are working to drive private and start-up capital into tools that can open budgets, track procurement, and allow citizens to report on issues they face,” Glencorse explained. “These efforts will make data more usable, accountability more visible, and our movement more sustainable.”

3. Strengthen our translocal network
   Finally, the Lab will continue to push for accountability through its translocal network of Labs around the world. This includes:

• Creative programs to engage citizens in conversations and actions around their rights and responsibilities
• Connecting the dots between grassroots work and global frameworks like the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)
• Shifting narratives to renew hope, and continuing to “catch people doing the right thing” to identify and support role models

What people-powered rule of law looks like

Glencorse concluded his remarks by offering a reminder that this work, while long-term, is entirely possible, and already happening.

“We’ve seen frontline bureaucrats risking careers for integrity in Latin America. We’ve seen students in South Asia push for police reforms. We’ve seen journalists in West Africa using WhatsApp to track corruption in procurement. This is what people-powered rule of law looks like.”

His final message was clear:

“The rule of law isn’t abstract. It’s lived, it’s local, and it’s ours to protect.

At Accountability Lab, we’ll keep showing up, with humility, with urgency, and with the belief that accountability isn’t about blame, it’s about building the future we all deserve.”

Accountability Lab