In an increasingly globalised world where the importance of multilateral dialogues and cooperation is ever growing, the United Nations remain a central forum for progressing ideas and a platform for action. In the course of the module participants will attend lectures and practical workshops as well as participate in study visits aimed at providing a deep understanding of the functioning of the United Nations system and explaining the creation, structure, mandate, governance and decision-making process of its main bodies and organisations.

Participants will learn more about the main decision makers in Geneva and will have a unique opportunity to meet practitioners from the major institutions, enabling them to strengthen their knowledge of the intergovernmental machinery of the UN System and other international organisations.

This module helps participants to significantly improve their negotiation, public speaking, report writing and other skills that are indispensable for a successful career at the national or international level.

After a series of intensive and highly interactive workshops, participants will emerge confident to conduct complex negotiations, enhance their leadership qualities, improve aptitudes of recording and summarising results of conferences and meetings as well as develop their public speaking, report writing, leadership and negotiation skills. 

In addition, the MEIG Programme provides you with insights from senior officials in different fields.

This module underlines the importance of European and international Human Rights protection in contemporary global politics. Participants will be introduced to the key concepts and mechanisms of human rights allowing them to analyse and evaluate the impact of human rights protection on global policies and international relations. They will examine the differences in human rights protection at European, regional and international levels. A specific emphasis is given on the work of the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights High Commissioner, both based in Geneva.

Participants will also better understand the interplay between human rights and migration, a particularly relevant topic of our times. The module examines the enhanced need for protection of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the context of European and international governance. Other regional perspectives are also studied in this context. 

The cooperation developed in that field within the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), both based in Geneva, is of first importance.

Seventy-five years after the creation of the United Nations and thirty years after the end of the Cold War, conflicts have evolved in their form and the type of actors involved. They are linked to new challenges such as energy, finance, pandemics, environmental disasters and armed conflicts.

The module seeks to prepare participants in better navigating the structure of the United Nations’ work in tackling current peace and security challenges by providing participants with an overview of recent and current global events and how the United Nations addressed them. Participants will acquire understanding of the current international situation that creates considerable challenges for governments in mobilising effectively and rapidly their human and financial resources to promote peace and security. Special attention will be paid to the role of the ICRC in that field.

New technological developments have created a completely new environment encompassing all areas of today’s societies including governance processes on local, national, regional and international level. The module focuses on how new digital technologies have changed public governance processes before turning to specific issues such as data protection and the impact of artificial intelligence.

The module will also tackle the dark side of technological progresses by analysing the issue of cyber security and cyber warfare. It also emphasises on the special role Geneva plays as hotspot and global hub for the governance of digital innovation.

The multilateral trade regime is at the heart of this module. Participants will gain a deep knowledge of the main topics and challenges which are at stake at the international level. The module will also tackle the increasing tension between bilateralism and multilateralism in trade issues. This field of international governance concerns a number of international organisations based in Geneva. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is, of course, the key actor in this field.

However, other aspects related to international trade are also dealt within this module in relation to the activities carried out by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), or the World Health Organisation (WHO). The interaction between these international organisations will be studied in order to determine which are the most important actors that states or non-state actors deal with when it comes to international trade. The European Union and its common commercial policy demonstrate engagement on the international scene in all aspects of trade policy, including investments and intellectual property rights related to trade. Other regional actors are also dealt with accordingly.

This module focuses on health and environment policies as they relate to each other. As health issues are becoming increasingly important at global level, the module explores the actors that shape health policy, including the structures and features of European and international healthcare. Participants explore the key health issues and challenges at European and international levels. The module also discusses the cooperation between the different entities dealing with health in Geneva, in particular the World Health Organization (WHO). 

The second part of the module covers a wide range of environmental issues at European and international levels, such as climate change and pollution, including air quality, water and nature conservation. Participants will gain a deep knowledge of the essential elements of environmental protection, covering the most important multilateral environment agreements. They will develop a good understanding of justice and sustainability as central principles in environmental health.

The overall objective is to provide participants with knowledge, critical understanding and skills for active involvement in the development, delivery and evaluation of a range of public health and environment initiatives.

This module provides for a comprehensive knowledge on the challenges represented by climate change. It allows participants to question and explore the issue of climate change in terms of governance. In order to better understand the core issues underlying climate change, renowned Professors and practitioners will address the definition, the indicators and the consequences of climate change. Given that overview, participants deal with the objectives to be achieved at different levels of governance (international, regional, national and subnational) in the context of the current climate situation. In this perspective, they will consider the various problems raised in the field, analyse the mechanisms put into place to solve them, and study the various actors involved in the process of governance.

The overall objective is to provide participants with knowledge on the implications of climate change in the fields of human rights, migration, agriculture and economy growth. Practical sessions, case studies and group discussions will allow a better understanding of the challenges and difficulties raised in climate change issues.

This module aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global partnership for their implementation. The SDG Lab, where innovative solutions are shaped, is at the heart of the matter. High level representatives from business and international organisations will explain how business supports and respects human rights, contributes to gender equality, or faces environmental challenges. A highlight will be given on how corruption affects good governance and how this issue is addressed by public and private actors. ILO representatives will explain how the organisation succeeds bringing together governments, employers and workers on labour issues. Special attention will also be given to the global partnership for innovation.

At the end of the programme participants will have better knowledge and skills enabling them to contribute to better governance.