United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme

Deadline: 31 January 2013
Open to: Law graduates with practical experience in the field of international law between 24 and 40 years of age
Fellowship: Travel costs, accommodation and insurance are provided, participants will receive a stipend to cover their living expenses too

Description

The United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme is a six-week course organized annually by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, under the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, which is one of the cornerstones of the United Nation’s efforts to promote the rule of law. The International Law Fellowship Programme is designed to enable qualified persons, in particular, mid-level government legal officers and young teachers of international law from developing countries, and countries with emerging economies, to deepen their knowledge of international law.

Eligibility

To qualify for the fellowship, candidates should be between 24 and 40 years of age at the beginning of the Fellowship Programme. They should be law graduates with practical experience in the field of international law acquired by working for a public or private organization or a university. Candidates will have to certify that they are able to attend the entire Programme period.

Candidates must be able to submit evidence of their ability to attend and participate in lectures and seminars conducted in English (e.g., diploma of courses conducted in English, language test certificate, extensive work experience in English).

The Programme accommodates up to 20 fellowships. Candidates from the following Member States, which were granted fellowships in 2012, are not eligible to apply for a fellowship in 2013: Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Ecuador, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova and Uruguay.

Programme

The United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme consists of a six-week summer course at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. During the first three weeks, the fellows attend the courses in public international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in the mornings, and lectures and seminars organized by the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs in the afternoons. During the remaining three weeks, the fellows attend lectures and seminars organized by the Codification Division in the mornings and afternoons. A number of study visits are also arranged to international organizations and courts located in The Hague.

The Fellowship Programme will be conducted in the form of interactive seminars and discussions to allow a maximum exchange of views. The participants will be requested to contribute to the discussions on the various topics on the agenda of the Fellowship Programme. They are therefore required to familiarize themselves fully with their respective country’s policies, priorities and problems related to these topics.

The topics that will be covered in the seminars and lectures organized by the Codification Division are:

• Introduction to International Law
• Treaty Law
• State Responsibility
• Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
• Diplomatic and Consular Law
• International Organizations
• Human Rights Law
• Movements of Persons
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Criminal Law
• International Environmental Law
• Law of the Sea
• International Trade Law

For further information on the topics covered by the summer programme in public international law at The Hague Academy, see the website of the Academy.

Financial arrangements

The Fellowship Programme will cover the fellowship recipient’s travel costs in economy class, medical insurance, the training material and the registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law. In accordance with policies and procedures governing the administration of United Nations fellowships, participants will receive a stipend to cover their living expenses. Accommodation will also be provided by the Fellowship Programme.
Additional places will be made available for self-funded participants from developed countries and employees of international organizations who will have to bear all costs associated with their participation (travel, accommodation, living expenses, registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law).

Application process

Complete the application form legibly, in English, preferably typewritten. (If handwritten, please write in CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS.) Answers should be clear and as detailed as possible. If you need extra space, you may attach additional pages. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The letter of transmission must be completed and signed by a senior official of the institution that presents the candidate’s application.

The application form should be sent by email, fax or post to:  
United Nations Headquarters OLA/COD
Attn: International Law Fellowship Programme
405 E 42nd Street, Room: M-13068D
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel.: +1 212 963 5332   –   Fax: +1 212 963 1963   –   Email: ilfp@un.org

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2013. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

For more information visit the official website or read the info brochure.