Youth Training Program on the Human Rights Council and Its Subsidiary Bodies Dates: 25 June – 4 July 2025
Swiss School of Business and Management (SSBM Geneva), Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association, International Alliance for Peace and Development (IAPD) and Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa (CIDH) are organizers of the Program.
This intensive 10-day training program was designed to provide students with firsthand exposure to the inner workings of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), aligning with its 59th session in Geneva. The program empowered young participants through immersive learning, live engagement with international institutions, and expert-led academic sessions on international law, diplomacy, and human rights advocacy.
Program Highlights
- Formal UN Engagement: Students received official UN badges and attended plenary sessions inside Room XX at the Palais des Nations. They observed real-time negotiations and consultations among country representatives.
- Simulation Exercises: Students participated in mock side events, delivered oral statements, and role-played resolution negotiations—mirroring actual diplomatic procedures.
- Our students deliver powerful speeches on human rights also in Room XX—one of the world’s most iconic stages for Human Rights discourse—addressing diplomats and representatives from across the globe. Their professionalism, clarity, and commitment to global justice truly stood out. This immersive journey not only deepened their understanding of international law and human rights mechanisms but also ignited their passion to advocate for meaningful change.
- Academic Lectures: Sessions covered the role of civil society in the HRC, the formulation of oral statements, and international mechanisms for human rights protection.
- Feedback & Group Tasks: Participants were divided into thematic groups, encouraged to analyze sessions, and present daily reflections to reinforce learning.
- Certification Ceremony: The program concluded with a formal ceremony recognizing student achievements and awarding completion certificates.
Impact & Recognition
The program elevated students’ understanding of international diplomacy, human rights mechanisms, and cross-cultural collaboration. Several SSBM students were invited to speak on human rights topics during the plenary sessions—an unprecedented opportunity for future leaders.
A heartfelt thank you to Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights, who is celebrating 20 years of impact. Special thanks to:
- Marina Mikhail, Director, International Human Rights Mechanisms Unit, for her exceptional support and dedication throughout the program. Her professionalism in facilitating workshops and lectures on Human Rights and International Relations added immense value to our students’ experience.
- We are also deeply grateful to Mr. Ayman Okail, President of Maat, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to human rights education.
