The Geneva Academy’s professional trainings provide advanced, practice-oriented learning opportunities for professionals, diplomats, lawyers, and practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of international humanitarian law, human rights, and related fields applicable in situations of armed conflict and transition, including questions of international responsibility for serious violations.
Building on the experience of the Training Hub of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Academy now expands its training offer to reach a broader professional audience through short, intensive, and expert-led courses.
The Geneva Academy’s professional trainings are designed for mid-career professionals who seek to strengthen their capacity to apply international law in complex operational and policy environments.
These short courses combine academic rigour with practical relevance and are taught by a diverse team of academics, practitioners, and field experts.
They are interactive and participatory, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and peer learning.
All participants who complete a training receive a Certificate of Completion from the Geneva Academy.
Professional trainings are usually offered in one-week formats totalling approximately 40 hours of learning.
Most are conducted online, allowing professionals around the world to participate without travel.
When pedagogically appropriate, certain courses are also offered in person in Geneva.
(Hybrid formats are not offered.)
Training sessions typically combine live expert lectures, discussions, case studies, and guided self-learning activities in small groups, ensuring a high level of interaction and engagement.
Our professional trainings target professionals working in international organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, and academic or policy institutions who:
- Work on issues of human rights, humanitarian law, or related fields;
- Wish to strengthen their ability to interpret and apply international norms in contexts of conflict, crisis, or transition;
- Seek to update their knowledge or reorient their professional trajectory towards these fields.
The Academy welcomes participants from diverse professional backgrounds and regions.
The Geneva Academy offers two complementary types of training:
- Programme – In Geneva and Online: one-week professionalising courses open to individual participants.
- Customised Training: tailor-made courses developed upon request from partner institutions such as international organizations, NGOs, or governments.
How to Apply
Applications for upcoming online and in-person trainings can be submitted directly to the Geneva Academy.
Interested candidates should send a short CV and a brief expression of interest by email to: digital.academy@geneva-academy.ch
Information on course dates and application deadlines is published under each training announcement.
For customised trainings, institutions may contact us directly to discuss their needs and develop a tailored proposal.
For more information about upcoming courses or tailored training opportunities: digital.academy@geneva-academy.ch