United Nations International Law Seminar (ILS)

Published by Bojana

Deadline: 8 April 2019
Open to: applicants with legal experience and academic background
Benefits: fully funded

Description

UNOG organized the very first International Law Seminar (ILS) in 1965, in connection with the annual session of the International Law Commission (ILC), for a duration of three weeks.

The Seminar takes place on an annual basis and is designed for postgraduate students in international law, young scholars, government officials as well as young lawyers in the field of international law, to widen their knowledge of both the work of the International Law Commission and of the codification and progressive development of international law. It also provides an opportunity for lawyers coming from different legal systems and cultures to exchange views regarding items on the agenda of the Commission.

The International Law Seminar is not intended to be an introduction to international law. Applicants must prove a sound knowledge of international law, on the basis of either their postgraduate studies or significant professional experience in the field. Twenty-five participants from various Member States of the United Nations participate in ILS. As well as attending the meetings of ILC, participants are expected to take an active part in the discussions which follow lectures given by members of the Commission, officials of the United Nations or specialized agencies in Geneva and other speakers invited for the occasion.

Eligibility

The 25 participants in the Seminar are selected through a Selection Committee that is composed of three officials of the United Nations with a background in international law.  The Selection Committee is usually chaired by an outside eminent person (usually a Geneva-based Professor of Public International Law or Humanitarian Law).  The members of the Selection Committee choose an average of six candidates from different countries from four geographic regions (Africa, America, Asia/Middle East and Europe) and are guided by the following criteria:

  • Legal experience and academic background
  • Usefulness of the Seminar for the career of the applicant and for his/her country
  • Good knowledge of at least two of the three working languages of the Seminar (English, French, Spanish)
  • Adequate gender balance
  • Availability of funds for fellowships.

All applications will be considered, but the Selection Committee does not disclose the motivation of its choices and decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Benefits

While participation in the Seminar is free of charge, the United Nations is unable to cover the cost of travel or subsistence for all participants. Governments have however contributed to the Trust Fund of the Seminar which awards fellowship stipends every year to participants, primarily from developing countries.

Fellowships awarded for subsistence

An allowance to cover accommodation, meals and miscellaneous will be paid to participants upon their arrival at Geneva. Participants must provide proof of accommodation to the Legal Office.

This allowance does not cover (and the United Nations does not assume responsibility for) the following:

  a)  all expenses for passport, visa, vaccination and other miscellaneous items; all expenditures in the home country and in connection with the travel;
b)  payment of any salary and related allowances from the current employer of participants during the period of the Seminar;
c)   travel and other costs incurred by dependents who might accompany participants;
d)  costs incurred with respect to travel and accident insurance, medical bills and hospitalization costs in connection with attending the Seminar;
e)  compensation in the event of death or disability in connection with attendance of the Seminar.

Fellowships awarded for travel

Participants will be awarded a return air ticket to Geneva from their country of residence for the period concerned (arrival the day before the opening of the Seminar, return at the latest the day after closure). No payment will be made to cover other routing or modes of transportation or extension of the period referred to above.

The ticket issued to you will be in economy class and no change in the reservation will be permitted which would incur additional expenses to the Organization.

How to apply?

Please read the information note before you start.

Kindly fill in the application form below and attach the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae containing the following information:

  • Personal information
  • University education, degrees obtained
  • Professional experience
  • Academic working papers and main publications

2. Letter of motivation (minimum 400 words, maximum 800 words; including justification for any request for fellowship)

3. Two letters of recommendation, duly signed and dated 2019 with specific reference to the Seminar, from official sources (i.e. university, government or member of the International Law Commission).

For more information, please visit the official web page