Global reality check survey – your needs and priorities for future training

In the framework of UNITAR's 60th anniversary, we are launching a global reality check survey to understand your needs and priorities for our future training activities. At UNITAR we are committed to providing quality training, and your opinion is very important for us.

We would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to respond to this online survey.

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: 

  • Master's Programmes and Related Qualifications
  • Tutor-facilitated e-Learning Courses
  • Self-Paced Courses on International Law

Master's and Related Qualifications

Master's and Related Qualifications
Adobe Stock / Pressmaster

M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy

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.

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

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.

Executive Diplomas and Certificates

The International Law Programme's Executive Diplomas are interactive workshops designed for diplomats and legal professionals to explore international law developments. These diplomas, taught by United Nations staff and experts, provide unique insights into the United Nations system. The online format allows participants from all over the world to engage with peers and learn from a global body of practitioners.

Executive Diploma on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice

The Executive Diploma on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice offers a comprehensive understanding of accountability mechanisms, including truth commissions and international and hybrid tribunals. This training provides participants with a unique perspective on these mechanisms, allowing them to apply their knowledge in practical situations. The Diploma, delivered in partnership with IUSTICOM, covers topics such as mass human rights violations and the history of different accountability mechanisms, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach to combating impunity.

  • Dates to be confirmed: October – November 2024

Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes

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 program 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.

Executive Diploma on Law and Neuroscience: A Comparative Approach

Advances in neuroscientific research and technologies have become increasingly important for the field of law. Not only are the number of court cases involving neuroscientific evidence rapidly rising, neuro-legal studies are also used to inform us on substantive legal doctrines, such as the insanity defence. Additionally, the interaction between the law and the neurosciences is highly relevant for criminal policy issues, such as the possible implications of brain research for juvenile offenders or addicts. However, the use of neuroscientific techniques in the legal system is not without its problems, and raises empirical, practical and ethical questions. This course critically reflects on the present and future relevance of applications of neuroscience in the field of law, in particular criminal law. By using a comparative approach, considering both US and European jurisdictions, participants will understand how neuroscientific research may inform criminal justice doctrine, practice, and policy.

Online Certificate on International Law and The United Nations System

The Online Certificate on International Law and the UN System offers a unique opportunity for both students wanting to pursue a career in international law or international relations, and professionals working in international and regional organizations as well as governmental and non-governmental institutions, to expand their knowledge on international law, multilateral diplomacy and the United Nations system.

Using internet-based training, UNITAR brings participants and trainers together in a unique virtual learning environment, allowing students to select 2 international law courses and 2 multilateral diplomacy courses to create their own specialization.

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.

Tutor facilitated e-learning Courses

Tutor facilitated e-learning Courses
Adobe Stock / aekachai

The e-learning courses build on UNITAR’s extensive experience designing and implementing training workshops at the country and regional levels and allow participants to: gain practical skills and deepen their knowledge; follow 30 to 60 hours of training through modules or one-week sessions; flexibly schedule and pace their learning according to their specific needs; make use of additional resources using the internet; work offline or from home; and engage with the high-level experts and receive online mentoring and discussions  (for tutor-facilitated courses).

International Law – Webinar Track

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.

  • Registration deadline: 18 February - Dates: 26 February – 17 March 2024: Webinar on Friday 15 March, 10:00 – 12:00 
  • Registration deadline: 4 August - Dates: 19 August – 8 September 2024: Webinar on Friday 6 September, 10:00 – 12:00

Law of International Organizations – Webinar Track

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.

  • Registration deadline: 21 April - Dates: 29 April - 19 May 2024: Webinar on Friday 17 May, 10:00 – 12:00
  • Registration deadline: 15 September - Dates: 23 September – 13 October 2024: Webinar on Friday 11 October, 10:00 – 12:00

Law of Treaties – Webinar Track

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.

  • Registration deadline: 19 May 2024 - Dates: 27 May – 16 June 2024: Webinar Friday 14 June, 10:00 – 12:00
  • Registration deadline: 27 October 2024 - Dates: 04 – 24 November 2024: Webinar Friday 22 November, 10:00 – 12:00

Human Rights, Environmental Protection and Climate Change 

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. 

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 to be confirmed: 11 March to 7 April
  • Dates to be confirmed: 7 October to 3 November 

Kindly email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information on how to apply.

    Introduction to the UN System

    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 to be confirmed: March 2024

    Kindly email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information on how to apply.

    Self-Paced Courses in International Law

    UNITAR offers five online self-paced courses aimed at providing participants with comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge to comprehend the importance of international law and the role and position of international organizations in the contemporary legal order and the international community. Self-paced courses run four times per year, with each edition giving participants 3 months to complete the course during which they will be able to go through the materials at their own pace.

    International Law – Self-paced Track

    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.

    Law of International Organizations – Self-paced Track

    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.

    Law of the Treaties – Self-Paced Track

    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.

    International Environmental Law – Self-Paced Track

    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.

    Techniques and Procedures of International Environmental Law – Self-Paced Track

    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.

    Other New Courses

    Other New Courses
    UN Photo / Jean Marc Ferré

    In Person Trainings

    E-Workshops

    • Law of the Sea 
    • Space Law 

    To be continued - Please email info.ilp@unitar.org for more information and updates.

    Share with