LL.M Program in Human Rights Advocacy
Training social justice leaders
Presentation
The Master of Laws (LL.M) in Human Rights Advocacy, offered jointly by the University Network for Human Rights and NOVA School of Law, provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of human rights standards and their application to social conflict, and equips them to challenge abusive conduct by diverse sets of actors. The program combines rigorous study with hands-on training and engagement in human rights practice under the supervision of experienced, reflective advocates.
The program consists of three semesters over one full year. The first semester involves study of human rights standards with faculty from NOVA School of Law. The second semester brings a range of globally recognized scholars and activists to campus for intensive, week-long modules. in this semester. Students will have the opportunity to interact closely with leading thinkers and practitioners in human rights. The third semester comprises a full-time clinic that includes a human rights simulation training and close, supervised work with communities challenging rights abuses.
The LL.M will provide students with an immersive experience in the study and practice of human rights that, to date, has been available only in limited and legalistic form at law school human rights clinics. While the program will cover the normative and legal framework of human rights, students need not have university training in law to participate.
In the field of human rights today, the skills required for effective human rights defense include a blend of legal training in the law of human rights, fact-finding and documentation expertise, advocacy through campaigns in traditional and social media, grassroots organization, and other non-legal methods. Unlike in other graduate human rights programs, students enrolled in this LL.M will have the unparalleled opportunity to sharpen these skills by engaging in supervised, practical work.
Central and unique features of this LL.M program are UNHR’s Human Rights Simulation Exercise, followed by supervised travel and field work with partners fighting rights abuses. The simulation exercise places students in a controlled, scripted situation of conflict and violations, exposing them to, and empowering them to avoid common pitfalls and challenges in international human rights practice, including cultural insensitivity, re-traumatization, and the endangerment of witnesses in high-risk situations.
Once they have completed the Human Rights Simulation Exercise, students begin work with partner communities. They are given background preparation materials before traveling to apply what they’ve learned in projects on the ground. Working closely with their supervisor, students participate in meetings and interviews with local rights activists, abuse victims, authorities, and other stakeholders. They also visit sites of past, ongoing, and potential violations, and conduct other forms of field investigation.
The combination of instruction and practicum provides a unique space for both current and future practitioners to study, and then apply, theory, methodology, and novel approaches to advance human rights.
This program is taught in English.
A student can complete a year of additional studies at NOVA School of Law after this LL.M program to earn a Masters in Law with a Specialization in European and International Law. The additional year would include Methodology of Legal Research (6 ECTS) and a written thesis.
Coordination
Goals
The overarching goal of the program is to equip the next generation of advocates with a thorough understanding of human rights standards and norms, as well as the essential skills needed to work with affected communities. Students in the program will:
- Develop a strong foundation in the philosophical grounding, legal and governance theory, and doctrine undergirding human rights and human rights law.
- Combine the study of human rights with reflective engagement in humanities, social sciences, and focus in choice of human rights specialization.
- Build interviewing and analytical skills in a situation of conflict (further developed through the Simulation Exercise), avoiding common pitfalls associated with international human rights practice, including cultural insensitivity, re-traumatization, and the endangerment of witnesses in high-risk situations.
- Sharpen non-legal methods of human rights defense and promotion, including fact-finding and documentation, advocacy through campaigns in traditional and social media, grassroots organization, amongst others.
- Learn to think strategically while designing advocacy campaigns to reach community goals.
Target Applicant
Ideal candidates for this program are current and future advocates who wish to deepen their understanding of human rights mechanisms and sharpen their hands-on skills working with affected communities facing rights abuse.
While the program will cover the normative and legal framework of human rights, students need not have university training in law to participate.
Timetable
This course is taught during working hours.
Curricular Plan
The program includes three semesters:
- One full semester (fall) of coursework at NOVA School of Law, with courses taught by NOVA School of Law professors and others invited by NOVA School of Law;
- One full semester (spring) of modules taught by invited experts;
- One full semester (summer) of clinical work (including simulation training, factfinding and documentation under close supervision).