Green Activism: From Planetary Engagement to Criminalization

16.06.2025 – 19.06.2025

This joint summer school between the Universities of Copenhagen and Geneva (both 4EU+ Alliance members) explores the field of green activism with a specific focus on different forms in the context of changing discourses of criminalization, engagement, radicalism and extremism. Certain forms of green activism, from climate change to mining-related protest, are increasingly subject to criminalization. Rather than working for a cause they are seen as working against the common good, societal needs and functions. At the same time, there is a growing desperation within parts of society, that we are doing far too little and far too late, leading to an increased unconditional call for action. New forms of social mobilization and politics are thus pushing the boundaries of existing protests and practices. In this summer school we combine the introduction to green activism with cutting-edge conceptual discussions around the concepts of criminalization, the politics of radicalization and critical perspectives in green criminology. Case-study insights from ethnography and political geography are mobilized to ground discussions in specific everyday contexts and political situations. The summer school will involve a combination of keynotes, case study learning and conceptual perspective.

Microplastics: From Environmental Impact to Policy, Innovation, and Public Awareness

16.06.2025 – 20.06.2025

Why Participate? Learn from top experts and organizations, including UNEP, FOEN, and IUCN. Engage in dynamic learning formats, from lectures and flipped classes to interactive World Café sessions and a hands-on field trip to Geneva Lake. Develop and enhance your practical problem-solving skills by tackling real-world challenges in collaboration with professionals. Collaborate in diverse teams and apply your knowledge and skills to water resource management. Key Topics: Microplastics in the environment: sources, impacts, and human exposure. Detection methods and analytical approaches. Policy frameworks and regulatory challenges. Industry innovations and solutions. Public engagement and raising awareness. What You’ll Gain: Deepen your understanding of microplastics and their global impact. Cultivate teamwork and communication skills through collaborative projects. Earn a Certificate of Attendance and, upon request, a transcript with ECTS credit equivalency. Course evaluation: Students will be asked to complete approximately 15 hours of reading before the course begins. Assessment is based on participation and a group presentation.

Education in Emergencies

16.06.2025 – 20.06.2025

The course introduces participants to the field of EIE, which lies at the intersection of educational sciences and humanitarian action. As highlighted in SDG 4 (Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all), providing education during conflict, protracted crises, or climate-induced disasters is essential. Unfortunately, many regions worldwide face such challenges, making EIE increasingly significant within the international community. This summer school will enable participants to understand the position of EIE within the humanitarian and educational landscapes. It will provide insights into its methods, practices, and inherent challenges. Throughout the program, the summer school emphasizes the critical intersection between humanitarian action and academic research. Participants will benefit from lectures delivered by experts from international organizations and academia. The program lasts one week and is structured into four main sections: Foundations of EIE Theoretical frameworks Current advancements Thematic analyses By the end of the program, participants will achieve several key objectives: Understand the emergence and evolution of EIE Navigate the field using specific concepts and frameworks Explore the primary challenges addressed by EIE and the insights gained through research on these topics

Digital Law

16.06.2025 – 27.06.2025

The Digital Law Summer School offers a comprehensive program covering topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital privacy, free speech, and more. Participants have a unique opportunity to engage with experts, academics, practitioners, and policymakers from global institutions like Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center and the International Telecommunication Union. The summer school provides hands-on experience in a Digital law clinic, facilitating discussions on cutting-edge Digital law and policy issues. Participants come from diverse backgrounds and countries, fostering a global network of friendships and connections in the field of Digital law and policy.

WIPO - UNIGE: Intellectual Property

16.06.2025 – 27.06.2025

The University of Geneva, together with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), will organize the two-week course "WIPO-University of Geneva Summer School on Intellectual Property" (17-28 June 2024). The Summer School usually takes place on campus during the first week at the WIPO Headquarters and during the second week on the premises of the University of Geneva Law School (Uni Mail). The Summer School is open to approximately 80 senior students (graduate and postgraduate students) and young professionals from any field of study or discipline (from law to economics). The Summer School offers an invaluable education program in intellectual property (IP). Selected applicants will be notified three weeks after the registration deadline that shall be made online on the WIPO website, except for applicants from the University of Geneva who can apply for a free participation (see application and eligibility section) The objective of the Summer School is to provide an opportunity for advanced students or young professionals to acquire deeper knowledge of Intellectual Property (IP), and to gain an appreciation of IP as a tool for economic, social, cultural and technological development and the role WIPO plays in the global administration of IP. The Summer School program covers all main areas of IP (namely, patent law, trademarks, designs and copyright) through a pragmatic, interactive approach. Lecturers are IP experts at WIPO, the University of Geneva, or other institutions.

Drugs, Health, Policy and Power

23.06.2025 – 27.06.2025

The summer school offers an in-depth exploration of key issues in international drug policy through lectures, case studies, mock debates, and group work. Each day focuses on a specific theme, including global health and the international drug control system, challenges of access to essential medicines, cannabis regulation models, tobacco markets, and global governance scenarios. The course aims to help students understand health and human rights issues related to drug use and policy, analyze the international drug control regime's implications, and explore solutions for better governance. Students will participate in group presentations, addressing the requirements and conditions for effective drug policies and the roles of stakeholders at various levels.

International Law & International Humanitarian Law

23.06.2025 – 11.07.2025

Explore the dynamic world of international law in the vibrant hub of Geneva, home to major global organizations like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Designed for students and budding professionals fascinated by the intersection of international law with politics, affairs, and business, this summer course offers an accessible crash course in this intellectually stimulating field. Delve into current issues and fundamental principles of international law, even if you're not a specialist. By the end, you'll gain a general understanding of the latest developments, enabling you to shape your future studies or enhance your existing knowledge. Join us for an enriching experience that opens doors to the heart of international law.

Leadership for Sustainability Transition

23.06.2025 – 27.06.2025

This course offers hands-on training in effective response mechanisms, policy frameworks, and ongoing projects in Switzerland and beyond. Learn to define your vision, engage others, and design sustainability transitions at various levels. Dive into self-leadership skills and discover innovative strategies like NatureBased Solutions. Master sustainability data management and stakeholder interactions, enhancing your transformative communication abilities. Benefit from insights shared by guest experts from UN and other International Organisations, and network with professionals in the field. Elevate your impact in the sustainability sector with this comprehensive workshop.

Global Health Law

23.06.2025 – 27.06.2025

Global health law has evolved into a distinct field within international law, with specific institutions, norms, and mechanisms. Understanding this legal environment is vital for students and professionals in global health. This course offers an advanced overview of global health law, covering fundamental principles, key actors, existing legal frameworks, and ongoing negotiations. Particular focus will be given to the WHO pandemic instrument currently under negotiation and the broader role of global health diplomacy. Through lectures, seminars, discussions, practical exercises, and a WHO field visit, students will engage with global health challenges and insights from scholars and practitioners, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of law and global health.

Listen, Engage, Connect: Explore The Science Communication Arena

23.06.2025 – 28.06.2025

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of science communication's key principles and strategies in the current global context. The program will cover a range of topics, including writing and storytelling for a lay audience, curating dialogues for impact, navigating fake news and alternative facts, risk communication and community engagement, the relationship between science and society, the neural basis of decision-making and strategies for building strong public relations between politics and academic institutions. The course will be led by some of the leading experts in the field of science communication, including Pulitzer Prize winner Prof. Deborah Blum, Dr. Margaret Harris, spokesperson for the World Health Organization, and Dr. Ana Godinho, among other knowledgeable experts.

Science & Policy for Environmental Action

23.06.2025 – 27.06.2025

This summer school offers a unique opportunity for early-career researchers, policy professionals, and civil society actors to engage in the science-policy interface related to environmental governance. The programme focuses on exploring how science-policy interfaces function in practice, understanding the models and actors involved, and developing essential skills for effective engagement. Participants will receive practical advice from experts and practitioners, and participate in interactive sessions, lectures, round tables, and case studies. The course covers topics such as environmental governance systems, boundary-spanning skills, and potential career paths in the science-policy interface. It provides a platform for networking with professionals from the international Geneva ecosystem, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange for addressing complex environmental challenges

Global Health: Advocacy and Diplomacy in Action

30.06.2025 – 04.07.2025

The course focuses on preparing policymakers and professionals in health-related fields to navigate complex global health policy, advocacy, and diplomacy. It covers topics such as global health governance, public policy making in global health, advocacy methods and strategies for health, intersectoral approaches to health policy and advocacy, such as health and foreign policy and health and climate change. The program extends over a five-day period, incorporating lectures, a simulation exercise, case studies, and visits to prominent organizations. Participants have the opportunity to earn 3 ECTS credits by reflecting on simulation exercises and key learnings. The objective is to empower attendees with essential skills for active participation in the changing realm of global health policy and advocacy

SDG Summer School: Planetary Health

30.06.2025 – 25.07.2025

Join the SDG Summer School and make a real impact! Partner with the UN and other international organizations to tackle sustainable development challenges using crowdsourcing and open-source solutions. Be a part of the change-makers shaping a sustainable future! The SDG Summer School focuses on team-based problem solving and hands-on prototype development, guiding participants from conception to practical demos.The aim is to empower future innovators to actively address global challenges and impact the SDGs. Mentors from Geneva-based international organizations provide challenges and field experience. Inspired by Jean Piaget's challenge-based learning approach, the program encourages crowdsourced creativity, following his philosophy from his 50-year tenure at the University of Geneva.

Children at the Heart of Human Rights

25.08.2025 – 05.09.2025

2024 was a landmark year for children's rights, marking the 35th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the centenary of the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the first international document to recognize children's rights. Despite these significant milestones and numerous positive developments, children still face many challenges in fully realizing their rights. During the Summer School "Children at the Heart of Human Rights" you will learn about children's rights with an interdisciplinary perspective and analyse different international legal instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other standard-setting instruments pertaining to children's rights. This program offers to discover: - the interplay between theory and practice in the field of children's rights, - the international perspective promoted by the lecturers from different regions of the world, The Summer School "Children at the Heart of Human Rights" offers students and young professionals a unique opportunity to engage with leading academics and field experts in an interdisciplinary setting. Located in Geneva, at the international hub for human and children's rights, the program provides access to numerous international human rights organizations.

Submerged Prehistoric Landscapes

25.08.2025 – 29.08.2025

Attention graduate students in archaeology and geology! Dive into a unique opportunity with the University of Geneva's Terra Submersa summer school. Join us in Porto Cheli, Greece, for an immersive experience focusing on Continental Shelf Prehistoric Research (CSPR). Explore the intersection of marine geosciences and archaeology, unraveling the mysteries of our ancestors' interaction with a dynamically changing environment. Gain hands-on experience with marine geophysical methodologies, delve into paleoclimate and sea-level changes, and connect these insights to coastal prehistory. Don't miss this chance to expand your knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary scientific field!