Twenty-six new graduates of the LL.M. in International Law joined the ranks of the Institute’s alumni at a tailored graduation ceremony held at Villa Barton.

The keynote address at the graduation ceremony was delivered by His Excellency Ambassador Keith Harper, Representative of the United States to the United Nations Human Rights Council (photo, right), who is based at the US Mission in Geneva.  The Human Rights Council was in session for the final weeks of June--so it was a very timely address on international law and multilateral collaboration, especially since the date also marked the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the U.N. Charter (26 June 1945).

Ambassador Harper shared personal insights on both the critical role that lawyers continue to play in the field of global diplomacy, as well as the growing need for those trained in the nuances of International Law.  His examples from the work of the Human Rights Council highlighted that time and again, individuals can and do make a difference with their contribution--with an inspiring call to graduates that it must be through their personal efforts for the next generation of progress to be achieved.

Delivered under the academic leadership of Prof. Andrea Bianchi, (photo, left) who also gave an address with inspired words of reflection, the LL.M. in International Law celebrated the culmination of another memorable year of innovative programming, with a broad range of renowned guest speakers and an integrated study trip to The Hague.

Spring term was particularly intense for participants, with the approach of final exams for the degree as well as the final submission of several team-based LL.M. law clinic projects.  Integrated as part of the degree experience, these clinical projects challenge participants to conduct research on leading-edge issues in international law on behalf of various client organisations.

For the clinic projects in 2015, the LL.M. partnered with the International Commission of Jurists, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, the Association for the Prevention of Torture, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The LL.M. in International Law is a one-year postgraduate degree programme which provides advanced, comprehensive and practical training at the forefront of international law in Geneva, attracting participants from across the globe.  It offers a firm foundation in public international law, from human rights to international investment law, international trade law and global environmental governance.  It also provides advanced training on contemporary issues of international law, ranging from international responsibility to international adjudication, amongst others.

Participants can choose from specialty streams in Environment, Energy and Natural Resources (EENR), International Economic Law (IEL) and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG).  Projects in the aforementioned LL.M. Law Clinic are typically aligned with one of these three specialty streams, thus bringing relevant, applied learning experiences for participants during their degree studies.

The next cohort will arrive for studies in Geneva in the late Summer/early Fall.  Admissions for the 2016-17 programme will open in mid-September.  Learn more on the programme website.

Reception on the grounds of Villa Barton, following the graduation ceremony.