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ACU, UN to collaborate on International Day for Judicial Wellbeing

Australian Catholic University is among the prime movers behind a United Nations initiative that helps fortify the mental and physical health of the judiciary.

 In a landmark vote in March 2025, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) formally declared July 25 as the International Day for Judicial Well-being. The resolution, submitted by the Republic of Nauru, was co-sponsored by 70 nations, including Australia.

ACU has actively supported this initiative, beginning with the adoption of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Wellbeing. This was followed by a 2024 meeting organised by the Thomas More Law School and attended by Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena, President of the Nauru Court of Appeal.

One of the key motivations behind the resolution was removing the stigma associated with seeking support in a profession whose rulings can critically impact people’s lives. Judges often face immense pressure due to heavy caseloads, public scrutiny, and the demanding nature of their roles, making judicial well-being a critical issue.

 ACU has already incorporated wellbeing awareness into its legal education programs. Law students at ACU engage with wellbeing-related issues in core and elective units helping to prepare future legal professionals to prioritise mental health and resilience.

The next step beyond the establishment of the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing will be a UN and partner-funded study on judicial wellbeing in the Pacific region led by Dr Anne Pickering, Associate Professor Kunle Ola and Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena. This collaboration aims to assess the state of judicial well-being, identify challenges specific to the region, and propose evidence-based strategies to enhance support systems for judicial officers.

Associate Professor Ola emphasized the significance of the initiative. “The emphasis on judicial wellbeing is a great way for our students to understand that the legal profession is serious about well-being and that the narrative around neglecting the well-being of legal professionals is changing,” ACU’s Dean of Law said.

Justice Wimalasena, who was the convenor of the UN drafting team for the Nauru Declaration, has been a leading advocate for judicial well-being to enhance the quality of justice.

“Because judicial officers portray a strong personality and also the judicial institutions represent a strong face, the people who come before the judiciaries have a lot of trust and faith in the system,” Justice Wimalasena said.

“Historically there was a belief that if we show to the world that we go through stress it could tarnish the image of the judiciaries. People might lose confidence.

“One of the goals is to say that there is no stigma. If you need support, you should seek it.”

To further discuss the global impact of the UN resolution and the future of judicial wellbeing, ACU’s Thomas More Law School will host a webinar on Thursday, March 20. This will be attended by distinguished judges, academics and experts on the subject.

The keynote address will be delivered by The Honourable Lionel Aingimea MP, Minister for Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Trade for the Government of Nauru, who was instrumental in sponsoring the resolution for the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing.