On 4 July 2026, the United Nations marked the International Day of Cooperatives under the theme \u201cCooperatives for a peaceful world.\u201d<\/em> The theme reflects growing recognition that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of systems that foster inclusion, fairness, dialogue and social cohesion. These conditions are increasingly understood as the foundations of stability rather than outcomes that emerge after peace is achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At HiiL, this year\u2019s theme provides an important opportunity to reflect on the shared principles between the cooperative movement and people-centred justice. While cooperatives are commonly associated with economic organisation and justice systems with legal institutions, both ultimately address the same question: how can people collectively solve shared problems in ways that are fair, accessible and sustainable? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The International Cooperative Alliance defines cooperatives as autonomous associations of people who voluntarily unite to meet shared economic, social and cultural needs through jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprises. These organisations are built on values such as democracy, equality, equity, solidarity and concern for community. Central to the cooperative model is the idea that sustainable systems require participation, trust and shared responsibility. These same principles increasingly shape global conversations on justice reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why people-centred justice matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Around the world, justice institutions are being challenged to move beyond systems that are overly formal, slow or difficult to access. Instead, there is growing recognition that justice systems must begin with people\u2019s lived realities and the problems they face in daily life. This is the foundation of people-centred justice, an approach that HiiL has advanced for more than two decades in partnership with governments, judiciaries and justice practitioners. People-centred justice starts from a simple premise: most people do not encounter justice through legal doctrine, but through everyday disputes such as land conflicts, family breakdowns, workplace disputes or violence. A functioning justice system must therefore respond effectively to these problems through pathways that are accessible, trusted and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This requires more than formal courts alone. It demands mediation services, community-based dispute resolution and preventive approaches that address conflicts before they escalate. Justice is not merely a legal function but a public service that must be designed around people\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nigeria illustrates the need for community-based justice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n HiiL\u2019s work in Nigeria offers a clear example of why this shift matters. According to HiiL\u2019s research, 81% of Nigerians experienced at least one serious legal problem in the past year. Common issues include land disputes, domestic violence and family-related conflicts, all of which carry significant social and economic consequences. At the same time, nearly half of Nigerians prefer informal or amicable methods of dispute resolution rather than formal court processes. This highlights an important reality: many people already seek justice through community-based pathways they trust. The challenge, therefore, is not to replace these pathways with formal institutions, but to strengthen them while ensuring fairness, consistency and appropriate safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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