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:

M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

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: 31 May 2024

Online Programme: 8 July 2024  | Application Deadline: 31 May 2024

Learn More and Apply 

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

UNITAR/ Michael Chiribau

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: 31 May 2024

Hybrid Programme: 26 August 2024 | Application Deadline: 31 May 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

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 

Apply Now

Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes

International Court of Justice

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

Apply Now

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: 22 April - 19 May 2024: Register here by 8 April

Dates: 14 October - 10 November 2024: Register here by 29 September

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

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

UN Photo/Ariana Lindquist

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: 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

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/ Mark Garten

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

UN Photo/ Mark Garten

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.

Share with