Geneva Summer School - Children at the Heart of Human Rights
Geneva has long been one of the world’s capitals of international law and the headquarters of international institutions dedicated to human rights. This inspiring context naturally has led to one of the core strengths of the AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ to be within the domain of international human rights laws and policies.
The Summer School ‘Children at the Heart of Human Rights’ is a unique opportunity for students and young professionals to engage with leading experts in a dynamic scientific interdisciplinary environment. It is the perfect academic and professional preparation experience for those students interested in children’s rights and international human rights organizations.
The Summer School was launched in 2014 under the direction of Jean Zermatten, Philip Jaffé, and Roberta Ruggiero. Since its first edition, the programme has attracted students from around the world, providing a unique platform for in-depth learning, meaningful discussions on children’s rights, and valuable networking opportunities.
Objectives
The course is shaped to bring out the best of current issues in the international debate on children’s rights studies and policies. It will examine these issues with an interdisciplinary perspective and investigate different international legal instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights treaties and standard-setting instruments.
Audience
Undergraduates, masters students, PhD candidates, as well as junior professionals from all walks of life who are interested in children's rights.
Overview
Pedagogical methods
This programme is characterized by a deep dive into the following :
- the interplay between theory and practice in the field of children's rights,
- the international perspective promoted by the lecturers from different regions of the world,
The blending of all these features will favour a vibrant, challenging and fruitful interactive learning atmosphere.
Speakers
The teaching staff is composed of enthusiastic outstanding scholars, teachers and experts from academic settings, international organizations such as the UNHCR, WHO, ILO, ICRC and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Non-Governmental Organizations and Independent National Human Rights Institutions on Children’s Rights.
Moreover, the academic content and organization of the programme is supervised by the Centre for Children’s Rights Studies (CCR - UNIGE) in partnership with International Institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE), two leading institutions in the field of children's rights.
The Programme Director and Co-director along with the Programme Coordinator are responsible for the design of the study programme and its dynamic.
Admission criteria
Language requirement:
Applicants must possess a sufficient command of the Geneva Summer Schools (GSS) instruction language to be demonstrated in their motivation letter, and illustrated through studies and professional experience.
Studies: Applicants should:
- be enrolled as a student in a university level academic institution, or
- have completed a higher education degree.
Supporting documents:
- Motivation letter: Applicants must express their interest in the GSS in a brief motivation letter included with their online application
- CV: Applicants must include a CV/Resume with their online application
- Certificate of registration (external students only): A written confirmation of registration at the home university has to be added to the online application in order to be eligible for the external students fee​​​​​​​
- Specific requirements: Additional requirements may be requested for a GSS (i.e. specific prerequisites, letter of reference, technical knowhow, practical experience, etc.). Applicants should refer to the applicable conditions on the website.
Certificate / Courses credits
Equivalence of 6 ECTS
Upon meeting attendance requirements, students receive a Certificate of Completion. To acquire 6 ECTS credits, completion of a project work is required.
Please note that this is not an official AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ transcript. Students must ensure the transferability of these credits to their home institution before the commencement of the summer school, in alignment with our Regulations.
Fees
Junior professionals : CHF 1,700
External students* : CHF 1,400
UNIGE students* : CHF 300
Directors
Dr. Jean ZermattenDr. Roberta Ruggiero
Previous Editions
Period of Studies:
25 Aug – 5 Sept 2025
Location: Geneva, in-person attendance only
Language: English