The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights offers summer intensive courses designed for professionals, researchers, and postgraduate students.
These short, academically rigorous online programmes provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their expertise in international humanitarian law and human rights through focused and rigorous learning. Delivered in small, highly selective groups, each course ensures close interaction with experts and meaningful engagement with peers. Combining flexibility with academic excellence, the courses are tailored to fit alongside full-time professional commitments and respond to the evolving needs of the humanitarian and legal sectors.
Our summer intensive courses (June to August) offer a curated selection of specialized topics in international humanitarian law and human rights, delivered in small, interactive cohorts led by leading experts in the field.
A detailed flyer is available below for each course.
- Protection of Children in Armed Conflicts by Professor Cécile Aptel
- Accountability for Atrocity Crimes by Professor Paola Gaeta
- Frontiers in International Human Rights Law by Professor Ginevra Le Moli
- Non-State Armed Groups by Dr. Annyssa Bellal
- Weapons Law Fundamentals by Dr. Stuart Casey-Maslen
- Transitional Justice and Structural Violence: Making Connections by Thomas Unger
- Human Rights and AI systems by Dr. Anna Rosalie Greipl
All courses are taught in small cohorts (maximum 25 participants) to foster in-depth discussions and personalized learning.
Each summer intensive course represents a total workload of 75 hours.
- The 15 hours of live online teaching are divided in 8 sessions (1-hour introductory session and 7 interactive sessions of 2 hours each).
- The 60 hours of individual work include preparation for sessions, readings and assignments and preparation for the final assessment.
Class size
Courses are intentionally limited to a maximum of 25 participants, ensuring a niche, interactive, and high-quality learning environment with direct access to instructors.
Schedule
Live sessions take place online from 12:00 to 14:00 (CET), making them accessible during lunch breaks and compatible with multiple time zones. Sessions will not be recorded.
Teaching approach
- Interactive and practice-oriented
- Led by leading academics and practitioners
- Designed to present both theory and applied learning
Assessment
Evaluation is composed of class participation and oral evaluation.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate issued by the Geneva Academy.
Fee
CHF 950 per course.
A discount of CHF 100 is available for students and alumni of the Academy, and individuals
who have previously participated in our trainings or educational activities.
Executive Director
Co-President of the Geneva Academy and Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute
Professor at the European University Institute (EUI), Florence, and a Fellow at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy & Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG)
Senior Researcher, Centre on conflict, development and peacebuilding at the Geneva Graduate Institute
Special Advisor to the IHL in Focus Project
Independent Expert on Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Research Fellow (until January 2026)
To apply, please send an email to digital.academy@geneva-academy.ch including:
- Your CV
- A motivation letter expressing your interest in the specific course
Selected applicants will receive a confirmation of acceptance.
To secure their place, accepted participants are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of CHF 100.
Please note that each course is subject to a minimum of 10 participants. If this minimum is not reached two weeks prior to the start date, the course will not be delivered and all registered participants will receive a full refund of the deposit.
Places are strictly limited to 25 participants per course, and early application is strongly encouraged.