The chief justice of the Republic of Ghana visited campus this week to discuss her judicial work and her efforts to spur societal transformation through the judiciary.

Lady Georgina Theodora Wood, a global leader in judicial reform, met with members of the campus community as part of the UO’s African-American Workshop and Lecture Series.

Wood was the second of five African-American speakers to host workshops, meetings, or trainings at UO as part of an initiative to enhance diversity and inclusion. The Office of the President is sponsoring the series to address a list of concerns raised by the Black Student Task Force last December.

“Transforming our Judiciary, Changing our World” was the theme of Wood’s visit to UO Oct. 31-Nov. 4. The chief justice hosted a series of panel discussions and meetings in Eugene and Portland to discuss judicial reform, alternative dispute resolution and advancing human rights with UO faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the Oregon legal community.

Throughout her 40 years of service on the bench, Wood spearheaded efforts to incorporate alternative dispute resolution into courts across Ghana and worked to empower other legal professionals to implement the practice through lectures, trainings and manuals. She’s received numerous accolades throughout her judicial career, including Ghana’s highest national award, the Order of the Star of Ghana for meritorious public service, and many countries have invited her to speak on judicial reform and access to justice.

“It is the responsibility of the government to ensure our fundamental human right of access to justice,” Wood said in a luncheon with members of UO School of Law on Nov. 1.

The next speaker in the series will be George Zeno, chief philanthropy officer at the University of California, Berkeley. He will visit campus on Nov. 8 to meet with members of the campus community about inclusive fundraising practices.