The Asia Pro Bono Conference (APBC) is a key event in our region for stakeholders to develop, explore and share pro bono initiatives and projects that strengthen access to justice in Asia and internationally. Held annually, the APBC brings together lawyers, academics, law students, jurists, pro bono professionals, policymakers, civil society and non-profit representatives, and provides a unique platform for you to hear from and engage with your peers, who are inspiring others and positively impacting the lives of some of the region’s most disadvantaged individuals and marginalised communities.

The conference will be an exciting mix of carefully curated plenaries, break-outs, interactive workshop sessions and networking events. The first two days are the core APBC proceedings, while the Saturday will focus on community capacity building, teaching and the educational aspects of pro bono work, as well as clinical learning for tertiary students and future practitioners. Delegates are encouraged to attend all three days as it is a once a year opportunity for participation, collaboration and dialogue.

Whether you are a legal practitioner, academic, student, in business, government or the non-profit sector, your participation and support is welcomed. We invite you to participate in this year’s conference and become part of the Asia pro bono movement.

Conference Goals

The Conference aims to:

  • Educate university academics, law students, lawyers, member of the judiciary, pro bono professionals, policymakers, civil society and non-profit representatives about the meaning and concept of pro bono initiatives;
  • Demonstrate the importance of pro bono initiatives to achieve greater access to justice for poor, marginalised and disadvantaged communities in Asia and internationally;
  • Foster collaborative ties between Conference participants to conceptualise, design, launch and strengthen pro bono initiatives locally, regionally and internationally;
  • Demonstrate various models of pro bono initiatives that may be applicable and transferable in Asia and internationally; and
  • Showcase the successful establishment of pro bono initiatives and programs.

Who Should Attend:

  • Lawyers and legal practitioners
  • Law professors
  • Law students
  • The judiciary
  • Government officials
  • Others from the region, regionally and internationally involved in pro bono and access to justice initiatives

Why Attend:

  • Explore together with world-class professionals the pro bono initiatives and developments in Asia and around the world
  • Network and collaborate with legal colleagues, academics, students and a broad cross-section of stakeholders throughout the region and internationally to discuss, develop and implement pro bono initiatives
  • Learn about innovative partnerships and practices that are being effectively implemented, how and why they worked and what lessons they hold for the world

Where:

This year’s Conference will be held in Vientiane, Laos with the venue details coming soon.  The details are posted here, in the relevant sections of this website, and we will continue to update this continuously as we approach the Conference date.

If you are interested in learning more about how to support or attend the Conference please use the contact form to message us.

Who are this year’s Conference Organisers:

The Conference and Exchange is organised by a team of volunteers from throughout Asia and globally with the encouragement, support and assistance of the BABSEACLE team.

What We Have Done

INAUGURAL ASIA PRO BONO VIRTUAL CONFERENCE & ACCESS TO JUSTICE EXCHANGE, 2020

Pro Bono in a Transitioning Environment

8th ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, NEPAL 2019

Justice for All: Empower – Engage – Sustain

7th ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, HONG KONG 2018

Inspire. Impact

6th ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, MALAYSIA 2017

Strengthening the Pro Bono Culture: Unity and Diversity

5th ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, INDONESIA 2016

The Impact of Pro Bono on Transformational Change: Working to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

4th ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE AND LEGAL ETHICS FORUM, MYANMAR 2015

Pro Bono and Ethics Build A Noble Legal Profession

3rd ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, SINGAPORE 2014

Public Private People Partnerships

2nd ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, VIETNAM 2013

Pro Bono Initiatives to Strength Access to Justice

INAUGURAL ASIA PRO BONO CONFERENCE, LAOS 2012

Developing Pro Bono Initiatives to Strengthen Access to Justice in the Asia Region and Internationally