UMass Boston

CPDD completed a four-year Enhanced Judicial Education Program designed to strengthen the Chinese judiciary. The program was funded by USAID for a total of U.S. $2.6 million, and constituted a series of six U.S. State Department cultural and educational exchange programs. These programs engaged members of the Chinese judiciary on issues ranging from judicial management to evidence collection. In many ways unprecedented, the program has had large and continuing impacts on the Chinese judiciary and legal systems, particularly in the areas of evidence and discovery, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, and court/community relations. With respect to the latter area, the program succeeded in establishing important pilot projects in domestic violence and strengthening the role of citizen assessors in trials. Whenever possible, CPDD continues to support alumni of the program in China with additional partnership opportunities and assistance.