Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Established in 2007 by the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, the Geneva Academy has acquired a global reputation for excellent teaching and research, and it attracts students of high quality to its master’s and training programmes. 

Our three master’s programmes and various training and short courses disseminate legal knowledge in international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law and transitional justice. Our teaching enables specialists to apply these legal frameworks to complex situations – Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Colombia, Iraq, Syria – and challenging processes such as criminal proceedings, political transitions, international negotiations and humanitarian interventions.

Our scientific research focuses on clarifying IHL, strengthening human rights protection, and developing the areas of complementarity between IHL and international human rights law. In these areas, the Geneva Academy makes a specific contribution to policy development and debate, in government and among scholars and practitioners.

Our graduates are employed around the world, promoting and protecting international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights (HR) in governments, NGOs, international organizations and academic institutions.