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As the year comes to a close, we would like to share our highlights with you. Were you part of them? Which moments stood out most to you?
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At the beginning of the year, we launched the ‘IHL in Focus’ research project. Its aim is to provide IHL analysis to support advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, with the ultimate goal of contributing to increased respect for IHL. To kick-start the activities of the project and refine its methodological approach, a two-day expert meeting was held in Geneva. The project was showcased at the 2024 European Humanitarian Forum, and a high-level side-event at the 79th UN General Assembly. In October, we published a spot report, ‘Food Insecurity in Armed Conflict and the Use of Siege-like Tactics’. The report addresses the urgent issue of food insecurity caused by siege tactics in conflict zones and explores explores ways in which international humanitarian law can mitigate these impacts. The matters addressed in the spot report were also the focus of an IHL Talk and will soon be featured in a Geneva Academy 'In and Around War(s)' podcast.
Christian Bovet, honorary professor of law at the University of Geneva, became the new president of our board. Professor Bovet, who was the dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Geneva when the Geneva Academy was founded, has closely followed its development ever since. He also chairs the Société académique de Genève, sits on the editorial board of the international journal Concurrences, and is the vice-chairman of the board of BNP Paribas (Switzerland) SA.
Professor Bovet is pictured here with the executive committee: Erica Harper, Lina Borén, Maud Bonnet, Christian Bovet, Paola Gaeta, Clotilde Pégorier, and Felix Kirchmeier.
Professor Bovet is pictured here with the executive committee: Erica Harper, Lina Borén, Maud Bonnet, Christian Bovet, Paola Gaeta, Clotilde Pégorier, and Felix Kirchmeier.
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Paola Gaeta returned in the role of Director of the Geneva Academy. She previously held this position from 2007 to 2014, alongside Professor Andrew Clapham. She is also Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of International Criminal Justice, and of The International Spectator (formerly The Italian Journal of International Affairs).
Professor Gaeta is pictured with the outgoing director Professor Gloria Gaggioli.
This year, 104 students graduated from our three Master of Advanced Studies programmes: the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law, and the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
At the graduation ceremony, the best papers from each programme were awarded a distinguished prize, alongside the Henry Dunant Research Prize:
Henry Dunant Research Prize
‘Harnessing Hindu and Buddhist sources as “dictates of the public conscience”: a gap-filler to address sexual violence against women during conduct of hostilities’ by Ritika Sharma, LLM student in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Paper Prize
‘The involvement of non-state actors acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the state in enforced disappearance and human rights litigation’ by Ozan Yildirim.
Master in Transitional Justice and Human Rights Paper Prize
‘Does reproductive violence have a place in transitional justice?: A case study of Colombia's approach to address conflict-related violations of reproductive autonomy’ by Nataly Santana Sánchez.
Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict Paper Prize
‘Drones and Mobile Phones: How does International Law Protect Children in Armed Conflict’ by Kanako Ohara.
At the graduation ceremony, the best papers from each programme were awarded a distinguished prize, alongside the Henry Dunant Research Prize:
Henry Dunant Research Prize
‘Harnessing Hindu and Buddhist sources as “dictates of the public conscience”: a gap-filler to address sexual violence against women during conduct of hostilities’ by Ritika Sharma, LLM student in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Paper Prize
‘The involvement of non-state actors acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the state in enforced disappearance and human rights litigation’ by Ozan Yildirim.
Master in Transitional Justice and Human Rights Paper Prize
‘Does reproductive violence have a place in transitional justice?: A case study of Colombia's approach to address conflict-related violations of reproductive autonomy’ by Nataly Santana Sánchez.
Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict Paper Prize
‘Drones and Mobile Phones: How does International Law Protect Children in Armed Conflict’ by Kanako Ohara.
Military uses of artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread. A growing number of reports allege the use of AI in military decision-making processes, including decisions about who or what to target. Geneva Academy Researcher Anna Rosalie Greipl drafted the report 'Artificial Intelligence and Related Technologies in Military Decision-Making on the Use of Force in Armed Conflicts: Current Developments and Potential Implications', with contributions from Neil Davison and Georgia Hinds, International Committee of the Red Cross. The report, which was also the focus of a dedicated event, outlines potential risks and explores some measures needed to mitigate these risks.
The 2024 Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP), was held on 5 November at Maison de la Paix and focused on the theme Human Rights System Under Pressure: A Reason to Expand Connectivity.
In a time of growing global challenges, the event brought together participants from international organizations, academia, civil society, and diplomatic missions to explore how enhanced connectivity can strengthen the human rights system and its intersections with other policy fields.
‘The complexities of today’s global challenges mean that connectivity is not just a concept; it is the way forward for an effective human rights system,’ said Felix Kirchmeier, Director of the GHRP.
In a time of growing global challenges, the event brought together participants from international organizations, academia, civil society, and diplomatic missions to explore how enhanced connectivity can strengthen the human rights system and its intersections with other policy fields.
‘The complexities of today’s global challenges mean that connectivity is not just a concept; it is the way forward for an effective human rights system,’ said Felix Kirchmeier, Director of the GHRP.
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For the first time, two teams participated in the prestigious Jean-Pictet Competition on behalf of the Geneva Academy. Our Advanced Master’s students Eva Patricia Contreras, Yasmeen M'sadek, and Hélène Perot represented us at the francophone edition in Belgium, coached by Research Fellow Dr. Eugénie Duss. The anglophone edition held in Nepal, included Maria Clara Carmona Monsalve, Ayomide Johnson, and Jonas Skorzak who were coached by Teaching Assistant Mina Radončić. Ayomide was nominated for the Gilbert Apollis Prize, which rewards the best speaker.
‘Engaging in this process has already provided me with practical insights into the intricacies of humanitarian work that go beyond what books can convey,’ said Clara Carmona Monsalve.
This year, Senior Research Fellow Dr. Christophe Golay explored the links between human rights, sustainable development and environmental protection in three publications: Briefing N° 24: Le Droit à l’Alimentation à Genève; Research Brief - Right to Food in Geneva; and The Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment: Understanding its Scope, States Obligations and Links with Other Human Rights. These works examine the role of these two human rights, and human rights-based approaches more broadly, in the fight against climate change, environmental degradation and raising economic and social inequality.
Digtial innovation is transforming the monitoring, implementation, reporting, and follow-up of human rights globally. Dr Domenico Zipoli, Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy and Project Coordinator at the Geneva Human Rights Platform, authored an Academy Briefing exploring the emergence and evolving landscape of digital human rights tracking tools and databases. The publication is part of an ongoing initiative on the same topic which also included a roundtable in Bologna, an expert briefing in Geneva and presentations at a number of high-level international events.
Lina Borén joined the Geneva Academy as the new Head of Communications and External Relations. She previously managed communications teams and projects within organisations such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Institut International de Lancy, and the World Economic Forum.
The Geneva Human Rights Platform finalized the Treaty Body Follow-Up Review Pilot Series and published a concluding report. This initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Pacific Community, made a significant contribution to the broader goals of the treaty body strengthening process.
In 2024, the Geneva Human Rights Platform Training Hub reached new milestones by delivering a record of 11 training sessions, both in Geneva and online.
Partnering with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Organization for Migration, and with the support of key stakeholders like the Canton of Geneva, the Training Hub conducted seven customized trainings alongside its four regular courses, which are set to continue in 2025.
Partnering with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Organization for Migration, and with the support of key stakeholders like the Canton of Geneva, the Training Hub conducted seven customized trainings alongside its four regular courses, which are set to continue in 2025.
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Student life at the Geneva Academy goes beyond the classroom. In May, 45 students from across our three Advanced Master’s programmes participated in the Generali Genève Marathon. One of them even won the University/School Challenge for the 5km. Congratulations!