The Certificate in International Law and Diplomacy is a programme permitting 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. During this programme, students will analyse the different dimensions of international law including those related to law-making, armed conflicts, human rights, economic relations, as well as those related to the theory and practice of diplomacy in the 21st century including dispute settlement and conflict resolution.
Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional career and employability. Additionally, students will gain first-hand experience of the work of the United Nations (UN), as they will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to Geneva and The Hague, where the UN maintains a significant presence.
Participants will have the opportunity to complete the program within a six-month period, between September and March.
The Certificate in International Law and Diplomacy will be implemented online through UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment.
Course List:
Students admitted to the programme are offered a unique opportunity to partake in an optional field visit to Geneva, Switzerland, and/or The Hague, Netherlands, immersing themselves in the heart of diplomacy and international law.
The five-day field trip(s) cost USD 1,500 each and include exclusive experiences such as visiting various international organizations, the ICRC museum in Geneva, the ICJ in The Hague, and engaging in networking sessions with diplomats, personnel from permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants working in international organizations, and representatives from civil society.
Scheduled for the summer, the confirmed dates for these optional field visits will be shared with interested students by UPEACE and UNITAR well in advance. Students have the flexibility to enrol in either the Geneva or The Hague visit individually, or they can choose to participate in both field trips to maximize their learning experience.
The cost for pursuing the Certificate in Development Studies is USD 3,550. This includes tuition, administrative fees, and other associated costs. It is important to note that additional expenses, such as field visits, may not be covered in this figure.
In 2023, the University for Peace (UPEACE) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) collaborated on the “Art for Peace” NFT collection, featuring Costa Rican artist Gussa’s digital artwork under the title “Pura Vida.”
This initiative gave rise to the “Pura Vida” Fellowship Programme, offering fellowships for UPEACE-UNITAR joint Master’s and Certificate Programmes, as well as Field Visits to Geneva and The Hague. The fellowships aim to enhance inclusion, by empowering nationals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Eligibility: To be considered for the Pura Vida Fellowship, applicants must be nationals from the LDCs or SIDS included on the official UN lists:
Selection Process
UPEACE and UNITAR will consider academic background, professional experience, and the relevance of the applicant’s degree to the chosen programme in the selection process for the Pura Vida Fellowships.
Application Process
Prospective Fellows are encouraged to apply and can seek further information by emailing admissions@upeace.org or click the image below.
Become a Pura Vida Fellow; click the image below for more information.