Armenia: Justice, Beauty, and Shared Aspirations
In this blog post, Christine O’Doherty, lawyer and Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, reflects on her journey to Armenia as part of the Technical Assistance Partnership Project, sharing both professional insights and the human experiences that shaped her visit.
Armenia: Justice, Beauty, and Shared Aspirations
I arrived in Armenia in September 2025 for a professional mission focused on justice reform, court administration, and youth justice. I left with much more than meeting notes and policy reflections. I left with images, flavours, laughter, and a deep sense of connection to a country that is both ancient and very much in motion.
Armenia is a beautiful country. That may sound like a simple statement, but it carries weight once you have seen it. The landscapes unfold quietly—mountains, valleys, stone villages—never trying to impress yet constantly doing so. There is a sense of history everywhere, not as something distant or museum-like, but as something lived. Visiting the churches and cathedral was particularly moving. Their architecture is austere and powerful, their stones worn smooth by centuries. Standing inside them, listening to Armenian liturgical music, I was struck by the beauty of the lyrics and the depth of emotion they carry. Even without understanding every word, the meaning came through.
What impressed me just as much as the country itself were the people. Warm, welcoming, often funny, and deeply generous, our Armenian counterparts took great care of us throughout the mission. We were accompanied by dedicated professionals who made sure everything ran smoothly, often anticipating our needs before we even voiced them. There was a genuine curiosity in our conversations—an eagerness to learn, to exchange ideas, and to understand how others do things elsewhere. Armenians are proud people, and rightly so, but that pride is paired with openness.
Of course, this was a working mission, and the discussions were substantive. We met with judges, ministers, prosecutors, police leaders, lawyers, and civil society actors. Across institutions, we heard a shared concern about court delays, heavy caseloads, youth vulnerability, and public trust in the justice system. Armenia is clearly in a period of transition, modernizing its institutions, digitizing procedures, and rethinking how justice can be delivered more efficiently and fairly. What stood out to me was the seriousness with which these issues are being approached, and the honest recognition that much work remains to be done.
Alongside these formal discussions, there were small moments that stayed with me. The food—simply fantastic. Every meal felt like an act of hospitality. The brandy lived up to its reputation, rich and smooth, often shared as part of conversation rather than ceremony. And then there were the stray dogs, everywhere. It was surprising at first, and a little heartbreaking at times, yet they seemed woven into daily life in a way that said something about resilience, adaptation, and coexistence.
We come from different cultures, with different histories and legal traditions. Yet beneath those differences lies something deeply shared: a desire for justice systems that are fair, humane, and worthy of public trust. That common aspiration was the quiet thread running through every meeting and every exchange.
Armenia reminded me that international cooperation is not just about transferring models or sharing expertise. It is about listening, learning, and recognizing ourselves in others. I am grateful for the work we did there—but even more grateful for what the country and its people gave back to us.
This publication was made possible through the support of the Technical Assistance Partnership funded by Global Affairs Canada.
About the author
Christine O'Doherty, Lawyer
Executive Director
Christine O’Doherty has been Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) since 2017 and has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1994. A bilingual lawyer (French and English), she has strong expertise in Indigenous law and administrative law. An experienced manager and effective communicator, she has also played a key role throughout her career in the development and implementation of public and government relations strategies for various high-profile organizations.
A certified trainer and adult education specialist, Ms. O’Doherty has nearly 10 years of experience in continuing legal education at CIAJ. She designs and facilitates specialized workshops, including on judgment and decision writing, tailored to the Canadian judiciary and other legal professionals. She has also contributed to the development of customized programs for courts, aimed at improving writing quality, decision-making effectiveness, and access to justice.
Before joining CIAJ, Ms. O’Doherty taught for 14 years at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Université de Montréal, where she was responsible for the cross-disciplinary skills program for undergraduate and graduate students. This experience allowed her to build strong expertise in instructional design and the delivery of key competencies.
At CIAJ, she oversees the development and implementation of innovative training programs for the judiciary and the Canadian legal community, incorporating participatory and practice-oriented approaches. Her initiatives focus particularly on contemporary issues related to access to justice and improvements in judicial administration.
Alongside her professional responsibilities, Ms. O’Doherty devotes part of her free time to writing novels.