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#115 (En anglais) | Indigenous Justice and Democracy: Tap Project, Perspectives From Ecuador and Canada

– Fév 2026

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#115 (En anglais) | Indigenous Justice and Democracy: Tap Project, Perspectives From Ecuador and Canada
Broadcast Date: February 26, 2026

 

EPISODE SUMMARY  | TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT | BIOGRAPHIES | RELATED DOCUMENTATION

 

EPISODE SUMMARY

When courts listen, justice systems can begin to change.

Hosted by Christine O’Doherty, Lawyer and CIAJ Executive Director, this episode features Dr. Jhoel Escudero, President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador, in the context of the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project led by Federal Judicial Affairs Canada.

Dr. Jhoel Escudero discusses why the TAP Project was timely for Ecuador’s justice system and how sustained dialogue with Indigenous communities has shaped institutional understanding. The discussion touches on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous justice, the challenges courts face in harmonizing legal systems, and the impact of unprecedented consultations bringing together judges, Indigenous leaders, and justice actors. Reflections from Dr. Jhoel Escudero’s visit to Canada and his participation in international conversations on democracy and judicial independence round out the episode.

This project is part of the Technical Assistance Partnership supported by Global Affairs Canada.

 

Guest

  • Dr. Jhoel Escudero, President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador 

Host

  • Christine O’Doherty, Lawyer & Executive Director, CIAJ

 

About the Technical Assistance Partnership
Project (TAP):

Global Affairs Canada’s Technical Assistance Partnership Project (TAP), is designed to deploy Canadian experts from a range of disciplines to provide technical assistance to developing countries. The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) is one of the Canadian government agencies with an international development project under TAP. Under TAP, FJA engages with up to three countries per year for a one-year program of capacity building for judicial institutions. This mechanism allows Canada to use the experience in our judicial system to respond to requests for technical assistance made through Canadian missions abroad. Technical assistance is provided in response to needs expressed by partner countries, but in alignment with Canada’s international development priorities, including the strengthening of gender equality and the protection of human rights.

More information

BIOGRAPHIES

 

Dr. Jhoel Escudero

President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador 

Dr. Jhoel Escudero holds a postdoctoral degree in Law, Economy, and Plural Society. He earned his Doctorate in Law (PhD) and Master’s in Constitutional Law from the Andean University Simón Bolívar (UASB). In addition, he holds degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence, Lawyer, and Bachelor of Public and Social Sciences from the Central University of Ecuador. 

Throughout his academic and professional career, he has served as President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador and Constitutional Judge. He was Vice-Rector of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (IAEN) from 2019 to 2022, and Dean of the IAEN School of Law and Justice. He also worked as Advisor to the Constitutional Court of Ecuador (2009–2012) and as Research Coordinator at the Center for Studies and Dissemination of Constitutional Law (CEDEC). 

Dr. Escudero is a visiting professor at several universities in Ecuador, including UASB, UDLA, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, Universidad San Gregorio, and Universidad del Azuay. He teaches courses in Constitutional Law, Legal Argumentation, Jurisdictional Guarantees, and Constitutional Review. 

His academic work includes numerous articles and book chapters on constitutional law, constitutional interpretation, banking crises, impunity and truth, the right to truth, and the effectiveness of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights (DESCA). 

 

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.

 

RELATED DOCUMENTATION

About the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project: https://ciaj-icaj.ca/en/international/technical-assistance-partnership-project-federal-judicial-affairs-canada/

 

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