19 Professionals Start the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict

Participants in the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict Participants in the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict

14 October 2019

The 19 participants enrolled this year in the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict just started the programme with an introductory course on public international law and a course on the sources and scope of application of international humanitarian law (IHL).

A Rich and Diverse Group

Coming from 18 different countries – Afghanistan, Australia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Syria – they work as diplomats, lawyers as well as for NGOs, UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and academic institutions.

‘As in previous years, we are thrilled by the diversity and quality of candidates, as well as by their motivation to pursue a degree while working at the same time’ underlines Marco Sassòli, Director of the Geneva Academy.

Distance Learning

Three candidates working in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mauritania took the distant learning option: they will follow the programme from abroad but will be also spending some time in Geneva to follow classes.

A Part-Time Programme for Professionals

The Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict is one of the few part-time, innovative and intellectually challenging programmes in the law of armed conflict offered today.

Designed for professionals with demanding jobs and responsibilities, it provides strong theoretical and practical knowledge and responds to the growing need for specialists to address complex humanitarian and human rights challenges and challenging processes such as criminal proceedings, international negotiations and humanitarian interventions.

Courses take place on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon and evening and cover international law, IHL, international human rights law (IHRL), international criminal law (ICL) and the interplay between them. They also address current issues and challenges, including the repression of terrorism, peacekeeping and international refugee law.

After the completion of courses, six to nine additional months are needed to complete a master’s thesis and defend it before a jury. Participants are not required to remain on campus or in Geneva to write their thesis.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

IHL Lab Geneva Academy News

The Geneva IHL Lab: Bridging Theory and Practice

21 May 2025

The Geneva Academy has launched a practice-oriented course designed to equip our Master of Advanced Studies students with skills in open-source research and legal analysis under international humanitarian law.

Read more

ECOSOC Panel United Nations News

Dr Erica Harper Warns of Dangerous Global Conflict Surge at UN ECOSOC Panel

23 June 2025

Our Head of Research and Policy Studies, Dr Erica Harper, spoke at a United Nations Economic and Social Council panel on June 16th, focused on Humanitarian Aid Under Siege.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Iraq, Mosul. View of the west bank after the war. Project

IHL in Focus

Started in January 2024

As a yearly publication, it keeps decision-makers, practitioners and scholars up-to-date with the latest trends and challenges in IHL implementation in over 100 armed conflicts worldwide – both international and non-international.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more