[3] The CEELI Institute's mission is to advance the rule of law across various countries in order to protect fundamental rights and individual liberties, promote transparent, incorruptible, accountable governments, create a level economic playing field, build a foundation for economic growth and development, and promote peaceful resolution of disputes.
[5] CEELI works with judges, prosecutors, investigators, and legal reformers in countries in transition to support fair, transparent, and effective judicial systems, strengthen democratic institutions, build respect for individual rights, and promote the continuing development of market economies.
[13] In 2012, CEELI Institute created the Central and Eastern European Judicial Exchange Network for practicing judges committed to the rule of law.
[16][17] In 2021, CEELI launched the African Judicial Exchange Network, which now consists of approximately 350 judges from eleven Anglophone countries.
[20][21] In June 2024, Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar provided the keynote address at CEELI’s Annual Meeting focusing on how Poland succeeded in reversing its decade of rule of law backsliding and is now restoring judicial independence.