Regions and Representatives
The Regions
The International Judge Program Regions must have between 100 and 300 members. Regions are decided by the Regional Representatives by absolute Majority.
At the moment the Regions are:
Region | Members | Countries |
145 | Brazil | |
France * | 101 | France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Switzerland (French-speaking) |
117 | Austria, Germany, Switzerland (German-speaking) | |
123 | Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain | |
113 | Italy, Malta | |
201 | Japan | |
125 | Argentina, Bolivia, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela | |
113 | Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam | |
International Associated Regions * | 213 | All other countries not listed above |
The Regional Representatives
A Regional Representative is a judge elected by their peers to act as the primary liaison between their regional community and the IJP leadership.
Their responsibilities focus on fostering the growth, organization, and support of judges in their region while representing their needs and concerns on a global scale.
They elect the Program Leads and have the power to remove them.
Key duties of Regional Representatives
Community Building: Creating opportunities for judges to learn, grow, and connect with one another.
Organizational Leadership: Supporting tournament organizers, players, and other judges by addressing regional challenges and offering guidance.
Certification Support: Ensuring access to judge certification exams and mentoring programs for aspiring judges.
Conflict Resolution: Mediating disputes and providing professional advice to maintain harmony in the judge community.
Advocacy: Representing regional perspectives in IJP discussions to ensure global policies reflect local realities.
Who are the Regional Representatives?
Two-year Terms:
- Brazil: Wendel Lemos is the Regional Representative, with Vitor Cernic as Substitute RR.
- German-Speaking Countries: Philip Ockelman is the Regional Representative, with Tristan Hof as Substitute RR.
- Iberia: José ignacio Pérez Janeiro is the Regional Representative. No Substitute RR selected.
- Italy and Malta: Jacopo Strati is the Regional Representative. No Substitute RR selected.
- Japan: Mitsunori Makino is the Regional Representative, with Kenji Suzuki as Substitute RR.
One-Year Terms:
- Asia: Wendra Djati Kamadjaja is the Regional Representative. No Substitute RR selected.
- France: Mikael Rabie is the Regional Representative. No Substitute RR selected.
- Latin America: Herbert Zurita is the Regional Representative. No Substitute RR selected.
How are Regional Representatives selected?
The Regional Representatives are elected directly by the judges in the Region they Represent. This election process allows judges to have a direct say in who represents them and ensures accountability through a democratic mandate. As outlined on the IJP’s website, these elections are part of a broader effort to empower judges and create a leadership structure that reflects the diversity and needs of the global Judge Community.
Each year half of the RRs are selected:
-France, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and International Associated Regions: are selected in 2026, 2028, 2030, etc
-Brazil, German-speaking countries, Iberia, Italy and Malta, Japan: are elected in 2027, 2029, 2031, etc
All members from those Regions can vote for their RR using the Ranked System as described in the IJP Statutes (in short: each member can cast a 3-points vote; a 2-points vote and a 1-point vote).
Eligibility: Any member can nominate themselves as a candidate for Regional Representative of their Region, when the General Assembly is called. As a reminder a member is anyone holding one or more IJP Certifications. Regional Representatives can not hold at the same time the Program Lead role.
Why do Regional Representatives Matter?
Regional Representatives play an essential role in bridging the gap between the global vision of the International Judge Program and the unique challenges faced by individual regions. Their work ensures that judges at all levels, from newcomers to veterans, have the resources and support they need to excel. Moreover, by advocating for their communities, RRs help shape the policies and initiatives that define the future of the program.
What Are Substitute Regional Representatives?
Each region will elect one Regional Representative and one Substitute Regional Representative. The Substitute RR steps in to take over the RR role if the elected RR needs to step down during their two-year term.
Life is unpredictable—changes in work, family circumstances, or availability may lead an RR to step aside. While Substitute RRs don’t have specific responsibilities unless this occurs, it’s highly recommended that the RR involves them in regional leadership initiatives. This ensures continuity and gives the Substitute RR valuable experience to effectively support the community if needed.
Please, check out this article for the details on the transition from the first-year-only TRAs to the Regional Representatives.