Be Just - Coffee Talks: The importance of an independent justice system

On April 28, the third “Be Just - Coffee Talks” event took place, a space for dialogue and reflection with Claudia González, a lawyer and human rights defender, focused on the importance of an independent justice system in Guatemala. The event brought together university students and recent graduates, who participated in an open conversation about the current challenges facing the rule of law, patterns of criminalization, and the key role of the younger generations in defending justice.

This event took place as part of the Be Just internship program and was organized by our intern Jenifer de la Cruz, with the guidance and support of the Be Just team. The session was moderated by Jenifer de la Cruz and featured the participation of attorney and human rights defender Claudia González, who shared her insights and experience regarding the current state of the justice system in Guatemala. In addition, a participatory space was created where attendees could contribute questions and comments, enriching the dialogue and fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.

Through initiatives like this, Be Just reaffirms its commitment to young leaders and promoting spaces for participation that foster critical thinking and civic engagement. “Be Just - Coffee Talks” continues to establish itself as a platform for the exchange of ideas and the collective development of proposals aimed at strengthening the rule of law in Guatemala.

More activities

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In this workshop, we analyzed the selection process of the Attorney General, its challenges, and its impact on the rule of law in Guatemala.

In this roundtable discussion with Ana Garita of UN Women, we talked about the challenges women face in public life and the importance of ensuring their participation on an equal footing and free from violence.

On September 25, we held the final “Coffee with Be Just” event as part of the 2025–2026 Cohort internship program. It was a collaborative space for conversation and discussion—grounded in respect and critical thinking—focused on disengagement from democracy and public affairs, as well as identifying concrete ways to take action to build bridges in the face of growing polarization.

On July 28, the fourth "Be Just - Coffee Talks" was held, a forum for dialogue with Ana Elisa Samayoa and Marjorie von Ahn to discuss their experience in preparing and communicating the recently published constitutional reform proposal, as well as the importance of women’s participation in these types of processes and the next steps toward achieving greater inclusion in strengthening the justice system.

We are now accepting applications for the Be Just Internship Program — 2026–2027 Cohort, a training and civic advocacy program designed for six young people committed to justice, institutional transparency, and the strengthening of democracy in Guatemala. Apply from September 1 through September 16!

Este encuentro impulsó el intercambio de ideas y buenas prácticas para fortalecer las instituciones y apoyar los próximos procesos de elección de autoridades clave en el sistema de justicia.