The International Law Programme works to enhance the capacities of diplomats, public officials, delegates, professionals, students, and other stakeholders on various topics related to international law. The programme offers a wide range of training activities, including master programmes offered jointly with other institutions, high-level executive diplomas, tutor-facilitated online courses, self-paced online courses, face-to-face training activities, and the blended Intensive Training Programme on International Law. Furthermore, the International Law Programme cooperates with partner organizations to create tailor-made learning products for a specific target audience. Kindly find below UNITAR's programmes in International Law and Legal Skills, amongst the following offerings:

Online Certificate on International Law and The United Nations System

UNITAR / Michael Chiribau

The Online Certificate on International Law and the UN System offers a unique opportunity for both students wanting to pursue a career in international law or international relations, and professionals working in international and regional organizations as well as governmental and non-governmental institutions, to expand their knowledge on international law, multilateral diplomacy and the United Nations system.

Using internet-based training, UNITAR brings participants and trainers together in a unique virtual learning environment, allowing students to select 2 international law courses and 2 multilateral diplomacy courses to create their own specialization.

Dates: 05 February – 1 December 2024  Application Deadline: 04 February 2024

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      EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME ON HEALTH PROTECTION, HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS, AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

      This Executive Programme offers a roadmap for healthcare provision in emergency settings, equipping participants with the tools needed to navigate challenging emergency situations and the knowledge to better understand the protective international laws in place in such settings.

      Dates: 15 April 2024 ­- 14 June 2024 | Application deadline: October 2023 - March 2024 

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      M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy

      UNITAR and the University for Peace (UPEACE) offer a joint Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy​​​​​. This two-year graduate programme, offered in online and hybrid formats, allows students to specialize in the interface between international law and diplomacy. It will not only broaden students’ knowledge in the field of international law and its various foundational dimensions but will also equip them with knowledge and skills to work in the field of diplomacy and related international careers.

      Hybrid Programme: 26 August 2024 | Application Deadline: 30 April 2024

      Online Programme: 8 July 2024  | Application Deadline: 30 June 2024 

      Learn More and Apply 

      M.A. in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes

      UNITAR and the University for Peace (UPEACE) offer a joint Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes. This two-year graduate programme, offered in on-site, online, and hybrid formats, allows students to examine the role of international law in the settlement of disputes in a wide array of fields such as human rights, armed conflicts, territorial and maritime border issues, environment and climate change, multilateral trade, investments, amongst others. Students will learn not only the traditional legal processes employed in international and transnational adjudication but also the alternative forms of dispute settlement prevalent in international law.

      On-Campus: 26 August 2024 | Application Deadline: 30 April 2024

      Hybrid Programme: 26 August 2024 | Application Deadline: 30 April 2024

      Online Programme: 8 July 2024 | Application Deadline: 30 June 2024 

      Learn More and Apply 

      Online Executive Diploma on International Law in the 21st Century

      Aobe Stock / Pressmaster

      International law is pushing frontiers both on earth, outer space and in the digital realm. Explore these cutting-edge legal topics together with high-level international experts. Following the successful previous editions, the spring intake of UNITAR’s Online Executive Diploma on International Law in the 21st Century aims at introducing students and practitioners to newest developments in international law, covering diverse issues such as Law of the Sea and Cyber Warfare and International Humanitarian Law.

      Dates: 13 – 17 May 2024 | Application Deadline: 10 May 2024 

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      Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes

      The online Certificate in International Law and Settlement of Disputes explores the role of international law and institutions in resolving global disputes. It delves into the contributions of national and international courts, addressing contemporary challenges in 21st-century international relations. This programme covers a wide array of fields such as human rights, armed conflicts, territorial and maritime border issues, environment and climate change, multilateral trade, investments, amongst others, offering insights into both traditional legal processes and alternative dispute resolution methods. Jointly offered by the University for Peace and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, it combines academic and executive-style education, providing students with UN-related experiences through optional field trips to Geneva and The Hague.

      Dates: 13 January 2025 | Application deadline: 30 November 2024

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      Introduction to the UN System Course

      Leif Jørgensen / Creative Commons

      With the increasing prevalence of current issues that transcend national boundaries, the international field is constantly changing and the role of international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), cannot be overlooked. Spearheading multilateral conversations, the UN continues to transform along with our dynamic world. For those interested in the workings of the UN and broadening their knowledge on the international system, this course equips participants with insight on the UN System of Organizations, including its structure and function. UNITAR’s tutor-facilitated course will additionally cover the evolution of multilateral diplomacy, the needs and role of the UN, and provide insight into the formal and informal processes of UN organs and agencies.

      Dates to be confirmed: March 2024

      Kindly email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information on how to apply.

      International Humanitarian Law Course

      War remains a matter of great concern to humanity. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that the ravages of war continue to have a devastating impact especially on the civilian population. 

      War might be the “end of the law” as one said, but International Law is not silent on armed conflicts. From its conception in 1859 on the battlefield of Solferino to contemporary warfare, modern International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been confronted with significant challenges. Since the times of horses and bayonets to drones and other ‘Lethal Autonomous Weapons System’ (the so-called “killer robots”), IHL has always had the purpose of regulating the means and methods of warfare in order to limit human suffering. The development and sophistication of weapons has made it paradoxically problematic to distinguish between civilians and combatants in order to better protect the former. In addition, the proliferation of non-international armed conflicts (civil wars) and the emergence of new forms of armed conflicts, i.e. the “war on terrorism”, pose new challenges to the protection of civilian persons and goods. 

      Dates: 11 March to 7 April | Registration deadline: 3 March 2024 Register

      Dates: 7 October to 3 November | Registration deadline: 29 September 2024 Register 

      Kindly email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information on how to apply.

      Executive Diploma on Law and Neuroscience: A Comparative Approach

      Advances in neuroscientific research and technologies have become increasingly important for the field of law. Not only are the number of court cases involving neuroscientific evidence rapidly rising, neuro-legal studies are also used to inform us on substantive legal doctrines, such as the insanity defense. This course critically reflects on the present and future relevance of applications of neuroscience in the field of law, in particular criminal law. By using a comparative approach, considering both US and European jurisdictions, participants will understand how neuroscientific research may inform criminal justice doctrine, practice, and policy.

      Registration deadline: 31 Mar 2024

      Starting Date: 2 Apr 2024

      Apply now: https://event.unitar.org/full-catalog/executive-diploma-law-and-neuroscience-comparative-approach

        Executive Diploma on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice

        The Executive Diploma on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice offers a comprehensive understanding of accountability mechanisms, including truth commissions and international and hybrid tribunals. This training provides participants with a unique perspective on these mechanisms, allowing them to apply their knowledge in practical situations. The Diploma, delivered in partnership with IUSTICOM, covers topics such as mass human rights violations and the history of different accountability mechanisms, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach to combating impunity.

        Dates to be confirmed: October – November 2024

        For more information kindly email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information on how to apply.

        HUMAN RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE Course

        This course covers the basic principles and concepts of human rights, the SDGs with emphasis on the goals and targets most relevant to environmental protection, and the relationship between human rights and the environment. The course will notably illustrate how the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can and is necessary to environmental protection, considering the recent scientific and legal developments around human rights and environment regimes. It will include as well a section covering the new developments following the COP25. 

         Dates: 05 - 18 August 2024 | Registration deadline: 28 July 2024 

        Register Now

        International Law Course

        Adobe Stock / aekachai

        The subject of international law brings a lot of concepts to mind, from war and settlement of disputes between States, protection of the environment, responsibilities and obligations, to human rights protection between citizens, refugees of different States and corporations. Globalization has forced us to interact with each other, making it essential to have common rules to guide and sustain relationships (of trade, investment, technology, etc.) between individuals and States from different regions and continents. Now, many domestic laws are highly influenced and moulded by the rules of international law. International law provides mandatory principles, norms and rules that regulate the relations between States as well as with other non-State actors, like international organizations and individuals. This self-paced course aims to provide participants with a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of International Law that is necessary to understand the importance, role and purpose of international law in the contemporary legal order and the international community.

         

         

        • Self-Paced Track

        Dates: 01 April – 30 June 2024 | Registration deadline: 31 March  2024  Register

        Dates: 1 July – 29 September 2024 | Registration deadline:  30 June 2024 Register

        Dates: 30 September – 29 December 2024 | Registration deadline:  29 September 2024 Register

        • Webinar Track

        Dates: 26 February – 17 March 2024 (Webinar on Friday 15 March, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CET) | Registration deadline: 18 February Register

        Dates: 19 August – 8 September 2024 (Webinar on Friday 6 September, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CET) | Registration deadline: 4 August Register

        Law of International Organizations Course

        Adobe Stock / Chokniti

        International organizations are playing an increasingly important role in the international legal order. They are active in virtually all fields of human activity, they regularly conclude international treaties and continuously interact with other actors of international law. Nowadays, they wield growing normative powers. For those working for or dealing with international organizations, a sound understanding of the law of international organizations thus appears indispensable. UNITAR’s self-paced course on the Law of International Organizations is structured in a way to cover the main legal questions related to international organizations, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. In addition, the e-learning methodology used to deliver the Course allows participants the flexibility to combine their learning activities with work responsibilities and to benefit from high-quality training.

         

         

         

        • Self-Paced Track

        Dates: 01 April – 30 June 2024  | Registration deadline: 31 March  2024 Register

        Dates: 1 July – 29 September 2024 | Registration deadline: 30 June 2024 Register

        Dates: 30 September – 29 December 2024 | Registration deadline: 29 September 2024 Register

        • Webinar Track

        Dates: 29 April - 19 May 2024: Webinar on Friday 17 May, 10:00 – 12:00 | Registration deadline: 21 April  Register

        Dates: 23 September – 13 October 2024: Webinar on Friday 11 October, 10:00 – 12:00 | Registration deadline: 15 September Register

        Techniques and Procedures of International Environmental Law Course

        UN Photo/Loey Felipe

        For the adequate implementation of and compliance with MEAs at a national level, there is a need to raise awareness of International Environmental Law (IEL) and develop specific capacities for its implementation at the national level. This course explores the technical and procedural aspects of the different mechanisms made available in international environmental law to facilitate the creation and implementation of sound environmental norms; from the regulatory and economic instruments used by policy-makers to the role of Environmental Impact Assessments and public participation in environmental decisions.

        Dates: 01 April – 30 June 2024 | Registration deadline: 31 March  2024 Register

        Dates: 1 July – 29 September 2024 | Registration deadline: 30 June 2024 Register

        Dates: 30 September – 29 December 2024 | Registration deadline: 29 September 2024 Register

        International Environmental Law Course

        Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are the predominant legal method for addressing transboundary environmental problems. Adopted by States, MEAs are standard-settings instruments for effective global environmental protection. However, nowadays some States, particularly least developed and developing countries, face the challenge of implementing over 300 MEAs due to limited technical, financial and human resources. This course will provide you with the basics of International Environmental Law (IEL) by identifying its sources and fundamental principles, the law-making process, its main actors, as well as the implementation and compliance procedures needed to understand and apply Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

        Dates: 01 April – 30 June 2024 | Registration deadline: 31 March  2024  Register

        Dates: 1 July – 29 September 2024 | Registration deadline: 30 June 2024 Register

        Dates: 30 September – 29 December 2024 | Registration deadline: 29 September 2024  Register

        Law of the Treaties Course

        UN Photo / Amanda Voisard

        The International Law of Treaties is a set of international principles and rules regulating the conclusion procedure of treaties, as well as the issues of operation, amendments and modifications, termination, suspension and invalidity of treaties. For those involved in the drafting, negotiation and conclusion of international treaties, a sound knowledge of the Law of Treaties is indispensable. Efficient implementation and application of international legal norms is impossible without knowing the essentials of the International Law of Treaties. UNITAR’s course on the Law of Treaties is designed to cover both the theoretical and the practical aspects of this subject, starting with the basic notions, sources, subjects, principles, and scope of application of conventions forming the base of the Law of Treaties.

         

         

         

        • Self-Paced Track

        Dates: 01 April – 30 June 2024 | Registration deadline: 31 March  2024  Register

        Dates: 1 July – 29 September 2024  | Registration deadline: 30 June 2024 Register

        Dates: 30 September – 29 December 2024 | Registration deadline: 29 September 2024  Register

        • Webinar Track

         Dates: 27 May – 16 June 2024: Webinar Friday 14 June, 10:00 – 12:00 | Registration deadline: 19 May 2024 Register

        Dates: 04 – 24 November 2024: Webinar Friday 22 November, 10:00 – 12:00 | Registration deadline: 27 October 2024 Register 

        Other New Courses

        UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
        • In Person Trainings

        Human Rights Dates: 11 and 12 June 2024 |  Registration deadline: 11 May Register

        • E-Workshops

        Law of the Sea (TBC)

        Space Law (TBC)

         

        Kindly email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information.

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