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2-20 September 2024
Application start 14 February 2024
Application end 29 August 2024
Application end / With visa 11 August 2024

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Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

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On 8 October 2021, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council adopted a landmark resolution recognizing for the first time the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment as an autonomous human right. This resolution paved the way for a second formal recognition by the UN General Assembly on 28 July 2022.

In parallel, UN human rights treaty bodies have increasingly recognized the impact of environmental degradation and climate change on fundamental human rights, urging states to adopt measures that protect the rights to life, health, and housing from environmental-related harms.

Litigation at national and regional levels is also gaining traction in this field. By expanding their case law through contentious jurisdiction and advisor opinions on several issues –such as transboundary environmental harm, climate change and the protection of biodiversity – courts have been playing a pivotal role in the evolution and enforcement of international environmental law and human rights law.

Such developments illustrate the growing understanding that environmental protection and human rights are deeply interconnected and that their enforcement relies on the collaborative efforts of multiple actors, encompassing international organizations, national governments, and civil society.

Participants in this training course will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms. The course will also provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders. The synergies and tensions between international human rights law and international environmental law will be addressed, focusing both on substance and procedure. The key role of environmental compliance mechanisms will also be addressed, as well as the human rights angle to climate change litigation before different regional and international bodies.

The course – co-organized with EarthJustice and the Center for International Environmental Law – will draw on experts from major UN bodies in Geneva and elsewhere, as well as experts from academia, government, business and civil society.

Two Modules

The course is composed of two independent – although complementary – modules, meaning that participants can choose to follow the course in its entirety (Module 1 + Module 2) or to only follow Module 1 (it is not possible to apply for Module 2 only).

The programme will consist of a series of frontal lectures complemented by an interactive workshop, designed to offer a comprehensive and engaging learning experience on the intersection of human rights and environmental protection.

Module 1 – Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

3 Half Days on 2, 9 and 11 of September, from 13:00 to 17:30, Geneva time, Fully Online

This module aims to introduce participants to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms. It will also provide an overview of the key issues about human rights and the environment.

It will:

  • Explore the major international (both universal and regional) instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as their implementation and enforcement mechanisms
  • Explore the major international environmental principles and multilateral environmental agreements, with the relevant compliance mechanisms
  • Identify particularly vulnerable categories of rights holders, such as indigenous people, women and migrants.

Module 2 – Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

16–20 September 2024, 5 Full Days, In Geneva or Online

Module 2 aims to provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders and address the synergies and tensions between international human rights law and international environmental law.

It will:

  • Provide full knowledge of UN human rights treaty bodies and their role in guaranteeing effective protection of human rights and environmental standards
  • Provide practical insight into the different mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council pertinent to further environmental issues and the protection of defenders
  • Understand the synergies and tensions between international human rights law and international environmental law
  • Address the procedural dimension of environmental rights, with specific regard to access to justice and information
  • Examine the role and responsibilities of businesses vis-à-vis the protection of human rights and the environment
  • Assess environmental litigation paths and procedural hurdles before human rights courts.
  • Understand the repercussions of recognizing a human right to a healthy environment, including its implications for legal systems, policy-making, and the obligations of states and non-state actors.

Objectives

  • Upon successful completion of both modules, participants will have the knowledge and skills to:
  • Grasp the key norms, principles and enforcement mechanisms of international human rights law and environmental law
  • Understand how to resort to UN treaty bodies for human rights and environmental concerns
  • Understand how to engage with the UN Human Rights Council mechanisms on environmental issues and the situation of defenders
  • Assess the legal and policy issues relating to human rights norms that may be employed to protect the environment
  • Identify and analyze how basic international and regional human rights systems can be used to provide a measure of environmental protection
  • Apply human rights norms to an array of contemporary international and domestic environmental problems
  • Assess the litigation options for environment-related human rights cases, as well as the role of amici curiae.

Methodology

The training course will be interactive and participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and perspectives on the issues covered. The training sessions will include lectures and discussions with a wide range of experts as well as practical examples and case studies. Sessions will be designed to enhance substantive and practical knowledge exchange with peers and facilitators. Group exercises will also demonstrate how to apply in practice the knowledge acquired during the course.

Access to a Dedicated Community Platform

All participants in our training course have access – ahead, during and following their course – to a dedicated community platform (on Mighty Network). This community brings together all the participants to our courses who have unlimited access to the training materials and resources shared during their course and can exchange with all the alumni of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Training Hub.

Audience

This training course is designed for staff of NGOs, development and human rights institutions, UN bodies and other international organizations, business enterprises as well as representatives of governments and members of academia.

The language of instruction during the training is English. All candidates must possess a level of proficiency in English that enables them to actively participate in the training.

Certification

Participants who complete the training course receive a certificate of participation from the Geneva Academy.

Fee

Module 1 (3 Half Days on 2, 9 and 11 of September, from 13:00 to 17:30, Geneva time)

The training fee for following Module 1 is 650 Swiss Francs and includes tuition costs and course materials.

Modules 1 and 2 (5 Full Days)

The training fee for attending Module 1 and Module 2 is 2,100 Swiss Francs and includes tuition costs, course materials, five lunches, and refreshments during coffee breaks.

All participants are responsible for their own travel costs to Geneva, including Swiss visa fees and evening meals (approximately 30 Swiss Francs per meal).

Discount for Online Attendance*

The training fee for those attending the full course online (Module 1 + Module 2) is 1,820 Swiss Francs.

Discount for PhD and Master Students*

There is a 30 percent discount for PhD and master students who apply for the full course. The discount is not available for applications to Module 1 only.

Payment

The fee is payable as soon as your place has been confirmed. As places on the training course are limited, participation can only be secured through the payment of the fee. In case of cancellation by the participant, CHF 200 won't be returned.

* These two discounts cannot be combined.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via this online application form, indicating whether you want to follow the full course (Module 1 and Module 2) or only Module 1.

Admission decisions for our training courses are made by our experienced lead trainers. They carefully evaluate each application and may offer acceptance, conditional acceptance, placement on a waiting list, or, in some cases, may need to decline the application.

If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us: traininghub[at]geneva-academy.ch

Professors and Lecturers

Portrait of Brenda Akia

Brenda Akia

Ugandan Human Rights Lawyer and a Member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Dr. Brenda Akia is a Ugandan human rights lawyer and a Member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Portrait of Leon Castellanos-Jankiewicz

Leon Castellanos-Jankiewicz

Senior Researcher in International Law at the Asser Institute

León Castellanos-Jankiewicz is Senior Researcher in International Law at the Asser Institute, and supervisor of the International Law Clinic on Access to Justice for Gun Violence at the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Law.

Portrait of Ludovica Chiussi Curzi

Ludovica Chiussi Curzi

Senior Assistant Professor in Public International Law at the University of Bologna, School of Law

Portrait of Joie Chowdhury

Joie Chowdhury

Senior Attorney, CIEL Climate & Energy Program

Joie Chowdhury is a Senior Attorney in the Climate & Energy Program at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).

Portrait of Isabelle Kolebinov

Loredana Cristea

Human rights lawyer registered with the Bucharest Bar, Romania

Loredana Cristea is a human rights lawyer registered with the Bucharest Bar, Romania.

Portrait of Leslie-Anne Duvic-Paoli

Leslie-Anne Duvic-Paoli

Assistant Professorial Research Fellow at LSE Law School

Dr. Leslie-Anne Duvic-Paoli is a Reader in Environmental Law at King's College London

Sebastian Duyck

Sébastien Duyck

Senior Attorney, CIEL Climate & Energy Program

Sébastien Duyck is a senior attorney for the Center for International Environmental Law's Climate & Energy Program, and is the campaign manager for the human rights & climate change portfolio.

Portrait of Isabelle Kolebinov

Isabelle Kolebinov

Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at Child Rights International Network

Isabelle Kolebinov is a Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at Child Rights International Network (CRIN).

Picture of Yves Lador

Yves Lador

Independent Consultant and Permanent Representative of Earthjustice in Geneva

Yves Lador works as an independent consultant, and has been mandated by Earthjustice for its representation to the UN in Geneva since 1991.

Portrait of Francesca Mingrone

Francesca Mingrone

staff attorney for the Climate & Energy Program of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

Francesca Mingrone is a Geneva-based staff attorney for the Climate & Energy Program for International Environmental Law (CIEL).

Portrait of Nataliya Nikiforova

Nataliya Nikiforova

Environmental Affairs Officer at United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Nataliya Nikiforova is an Environmental Affairs Officer at United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

Portrait of Seán O’Connell

Seán O’Connell

Global Focal Point on Environmental Justice with the United Nations Development Programme

Seán O’Connell is Global Focal Point on Environmental Justice with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Portrait of Marie Petersmann

Marie Petersmann

Assistant Professorial Research Fellow at LSE Law School

Dr. Marie Petersmann is an Assistant Professorial Research Fellow at LSE Law School

Portrait of Thamil Venthan Ananthavinayagan

Thamil Venthan Ananthavinayagan

Senior Legal Advisor to the Minister of Justice and Assistant Principal at the Department of Justice, Republic of Ireland

Dr. Thamil Venthan Ananthavinayagan is Senior Legal Advisor to the Minister of Justice and Assistant Principal at the Department of Justice, Republic of Ireland.

Location

  • Module 1: online
  • Module 2: Geneva Academy (Villa Moynier, 120B Rue de Lausanne, Geneva) or online.

Access

In Geneva

Public Transport

Tram 15, Direction Nations - tram stop Butini

Bus 1 or 25, Direction Jardin Botanique - bus stop Sécheron

Access for people with disabilities

Villa Moynier is accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability or any additional needs and require assistance in order to participate fully, please email info[at]geneva-academy.ch

Online

This course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform.

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