Webinar one: Training Judges – How to successfully engage adults in continued learning.
On 29 May 2025, a regional webinar on Training Judges brought together professionals from across Africa to share insights on effective adult learning strategies in the judicial context. The webinar was hosted by AJTN’s secretariat: JIFA and presented by Shanali Govender; Teaching Expert at the University of Cape Town.
Adult Learning and Training Methods
The session opened with a focus on understanding adult learners’ mental states and the importance of reflection. Participatory training approaches were emphasised, supported by regional examples of effective legal training.
Engaging Adults in Learning
Discussion centred around keeping adult learners engaged through real-world challenges, practical exercises, and interactive techniques. Short, focused sessions, physical movement, and the trainer’s tone and delivery style were highlighted as key components of successful learning experiences.
Enhancing Training Delivery
Presenters shared methods to improve engagement through well-designed sessions, variety in delivery, and energy management. While presentation style matters, strong content and thoughtful structure were seen as essential to effective training. Active Learning for Adult Learners Andragogical principles and experiential learning strategies were introduced, stressing co-created knowledge, application over memorisation, and learner-led assessment. Emotional connection and reflection were identified as crucial in deepening learning outcomes.
Webinar two: BALANCE ON THE BENCH: CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL JUDICIAL WELL-BEING DAY
On 24 July 2025, judicial officers and experts from across Africa came together for Balance on the Bench, a special regional webinar marking International Judicial Well-being Day. Hosted by the African Judicial Training Network’s (AJTN) secretariat, the Judicial Institute for Africa (JIFA), in partnership with the Association of Regional Magistrates of Southern Africa (ARMSA) and Equality Now, the session explored practical approaches to promoting mental health, resilience, and balance in judicial work.
WHY JUDICIAL WELL-BEING MATTERS
The session began with Judge José Matos, Court of Appeal Judge in Porto, Advisory Board Member of the Global Judicial Integrity Network, and co-author of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being. Judge Matos spoke about the global vision behind creating a day dedicated to judicial well-being, highlighting how mental health is essential for maintaining judicial integrity, impartiality, and independence. He reminded participants that a healthy judiciary strengthens public trust and the rule of law.
EXPERIENCES FROM THE BENCH
The lived realities of judicial work were brought to life by Judge Jakkie Wessels, Regional Court President of the Limpopo Regional Division (South Africa), and Judge Mathilda Twomey, former Chief Justice of Seychelles and Academic Head of JIFA.
Both shared candid reflections on the challenges of managing overwhelming caseloads, high-stakes decisions, and the emotional pressures of their roles. They discussed how peer networks, deliberate rest, and ongoing professional development help protect judicial officers from burnout while supporting long-term professional excellence.
PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR RESILIENCE
An interactive expert session was led by Dr Hélène Smit, a specialist in conflict and stress management with extensive experience working with African judiciaries. She provided tools for recognising stress triggers, using mindful techniques for emotional regulation, and building daily practices that sustain energy and focus.
Dr Smit emphasised the importance of:
Identifying and managing sources of conflict in the workplace.
Creating space for emotional processing and reflection.
Prioritising work-life balance as a professional necessity, not a luxury.
EMBEDDING WELL-BEING INTO JUDICIAL CULTURE
The webinar reinforced that well-being is not separate from judicial training—it is integral to it. By equipping judges with skills to manage stress, maintain perspective, and seek support when needed, judicial systems can improve both decision-making and institutional resilience.
For AJTN, this aligns with its broader mission to strengthen the capacity of judicial officers and training institutions through knowledge-sharing, skills development, and practical support.
The Balance on the Bench webinar concluded with a call to embed well-being into judicial culture and training programmes across Africa, ensuring that judicial officers can serve with clarity, fairness, and sustained resilience.
Click here for the Naura Declaration.
AJTN: Strengthening judicial systems across Africa – one network, one vision.
Webinar three: Independence of the Judiciary in Senegal – Conversation with AJTN Chair; DG Souleymane Teliko
On 16 July 2025, the African Judicial Training Network (AJTN) hosted a special Judiciary in Africa webinar featuring DG Souleymane Teliko, Chair of AJTN, on the occasion of the release of his new book: Independence of the Judiciary in Senegal – Should the High Council of the Judiciary Be Reformed?
This thought-provoking discussion examines the role of judicial councils (such as judicial service commissions) responsible for the appointment, removal, and disciplining of judges, and for safeguarding judicial independence. Drawing from the Senegalese context, DG Teliko’s analysis resonates far beyond national borders, touching on challenges and opportunities shared by judiciaries worldwide.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
Why judicial independence matters for democracy and the rule of law.
How judicial councils operate and the reforms that could strengthen their autonomy.
Comparative insights relevant to judicial systems across Africa and beyond.
Practical avenues for enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of judicial institutions.
Watch now to gain a deeper understanding of judicial governance and the pressing questions facing judicial reform in Africa. Please note this recording is in French.
