Lucerne Academy for Human Rights Implementation

The Lucerne Academy for Human Rights Implementation is a 2-week program of coursework and hands-on learning for law students and legal practitioners held in the heart of Europe at the University of Lucerne, Faculty of Law, in Lucerne, Switzerland, in partnership with several distinguished international law schools.

In 2024, the main topic of the Lucerne Academy's Summer School is "Business and Human Rights".

Courses:
In 2024, the Lucerne Academy provides participants seven different courses focused exclusively on human rights law of the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Covenants on Human Rights.
The participants attend different classes of their choice, three of which are mandatory. In the classes, participants gain necessary theoretical knowledge. The classes are taught by distinguished professors and practitioners from around the globe.

Lunch Seminars:
Furthermore, the Lucerne Academy offers participants various Lunch Seminars led by renowned speakers.
During Lunch Seminars, the participants have the chance to learn directly from distinguished practitioners how to work with and implement human rights. The participants will receive practice-oriented knowledge on current human rights issues and discuss interactively possible solutions.

Excursions:
The Lucerne Academy also offers participants two excursions, one to Strasbourg and one to Geneva.
In Strasbourg, the participants will visit the seat of the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe.
In Geneva, the participants will visit the European headquarters of the United Nations, as well as various NGOs. During the excursions, the participants interact with important NGOs and officials and acquire insight into the practice of human rights implementation.

Examinations:
The courses of the Lucerne Academy's Summer School program will end on Friday, 12 July 2024 with written examinations in English. Over the course of two weeks, the participants attend different courses of their choice, three of which are mandatory. Participants take their written exams in these three mandatory courses.

Participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the courses and lunch seminars.

Course leader

Prof. Dr. iur. Sebastian Heselhaus, M.A.

Target group

Advanced law students and young legal practitioners can apply for participation in the Lucerne Academy's Summer School Program.

Applicants must generally satisfy the following requirements:
- Applicants must either be advanced law students or legal practitioners.
- International human rights law experience (academic or in the field) is required.
- All courses, Lunch Seminars and the participation will be conducted in English.

Course aim

Given the realities of human rights implementation, the focus of the program will be on the challenges and practical aspects of litigation and advocacy of human rights. Participants will not only learn about the field of human rights, but also about how to incorporate that knowledge into the actual work of defending human rights.

Special focus will be placed on advocacy skills such as case assessment and oral argumentation.

Credits info

7 EC
Participants can earn seven (7) ECTS credits for the successful completion of the courses and lunch seminars.

Fee info

CHF 1200: The tuition fee includes:
- Welcome Reception
- Welcome Aperò in the evening of the first day
- 7 available classes with each different subject
- Course materials
- Lunch Seminars
- 8 lunches at the University Cafeteria
- Excursion to Strasbourg (including travel expenses, all tour, entrance fees)
- Excursion to Geneva (including travel expenses, all tour, entrance fees)
- Closing Ceremony Dinner
CHF 400: The fee for accommodation in Lucerne (13 nights) is CHF 400 pp.

Scholarships

We offer a small number of merit-based scholarships for students who can show financial hardship.