SPRING 2026

While updating the 'About' section of the IOJT website recently, I made a discovery worth pausing to celebrate: next year marks our 25th anniversary!

For an organization of our global scope and ambition, this milestone is nothing short of remarkable. Over a quarter-century, we have organized 11 successful conferences across every continent, committed ourselves to the Declaration of Judicial Training Principles and navigated a global pandemic - emerging from it with new ways to connect and collaborate across borders. IOJT's journey is a tribute to the passion and dedication of our entire community. Congratulations!

This Bulletin also gives me the opportunity to share two recent activities that reflect the kind of collaborative spirit that defines our organization. The first was a series of webinars developed in partnership between IOJT and the Red Iberoamericana de Escuelas Judiciales (RIAEJ), focusing on the ethical challenges facing judges and how judicial education is responding to them. With upwards of 100 participants, the webinars sparked a rich exchange of ideas and demonstrated that global initiatives of this kind can be incredibly effective. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the staff of the Dominican Republic National Judicial School for their expert work in organizing this series.

The second was a privilege of a different kind. In early December, I was honoured to be a guest of the National School of Military Justice Magistrates (ENAJUM) at its 10th-anniversary celebration. The week combined education and ceremony in equal measure, and what struck me most was the unmistakable pride and dedication of every member of their staff. A particular highlight was a tree-planting ceremony in the garden adjacent to the school, a beautifully fitting way to mark a decade of accomplishment and look toward continued growth. Congratulations to ENAJUM, and best wishes for many more years of excellent work!

I am pleased to introduce a new Bulletin section: "Comings and Goings." One of the great benefits of IOJT membership is staying connected with judicial education colleagues around the world, and this section is designed to help you do just that. 

South Africa I want to begin by congratulating Dr. Gomolemo Moshoeu (or Dr. G, as many of us know her) on her retirement from the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI). Dr. G is embarking on a new chapter in academia, and we wish her every success. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to IOJT, and especially for your role in the memorable 2019 conference in Cape Town. We also welcome Ms. Slindo Shamase to her new role - we look forward to working with you.

New Zealand Janine McIntosh, former Director of Te Kura Kaiwhakawa Institute of Judicial Training has moved on to new challenges. Thank you, Janine, for your contributions to IOJT. We welcome Mr. Chris Murray as the incoming Director and look forward to working with him.

We also note that Justice Matthew Palmer, a long-time and valued supporter of IOJT, has stepped down as Chair of the Institute.

Australia Justice Glenn Martin retired on December 30, 2025. He has become a life member of the National Judicial College of Australia. I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Justice Martin at many IOJT conferences, and he was a true contributor to our mission.

Also in Australia, Samantha Birchell has retired from the Judicial College of Victoria after an extraordinary 18 years at the college, nearly 11 of them as CEO. That kind of sustained dedication to judicial education, and to IOJT, deserves our deepest appreciation.