The First Session of the Fellowship Programme took place in Budapest, in the summer of 2006. UNITAR received over 450 applications, the majority of them from Africa and Eastern Europe. The candidates had to meet the following requirements: Work as a government official; within an NGO or an international agency; as a university professor or an expert from the private sector; Be between 25 and 40 years of age; Have a background in law or relevant working experience in environmental issues.

An Expert Committee analyzed and selected 29 participants. The Committee applied the UN selection criteria regarding geographical distribution and gender balance. UNITAR sponsored 23 candidates from developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Selected participants from industrialised countries and international civil servants participated on a self-funded basis.

The curriculum included 22 interactive lectures, 3 simulations exercise and seminars, 3 workshops and 2 study visits. Among others, the following topics were covered: Principles and Concepts of Environmental Law; Human Rights and Environment; Hazardous Materials and Waste; Biodiversity; Marine Environment; Compliance Mechanisms and International Environmental Liability.

The programme’s faculty was composed of eminent university professors and practitioners. Twenty-one lecturers conducted 27 sessions during the three weeks of the Fellowship Programme.

UNITAR prepared a detailed Report of the 2006 Session that contains information about its preparatory and implementing phases, as well as the results of the evaluation conducted.