MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law: What our Students Say

14 February 2022

Sharon Braekman, enrolled in our Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (MTJ), tells us about her background, the programme and what it will bring to her career.

About Me

Coming from Belgium, I have a Master of Law in Criminal Justice and Human Rights from Ghent University. My curiosity and interest in a broad range of fields are reflected in my volunteer work with victims of human trafficking in Belgium and in the choice, during my studies, of courses on philosophy, psychology and political science. Various internships at law offices and participation in a moot court gave me a glimpse of life as a lawyer, and I am now ready to explore other options.

Why did you choose the MTJ at the Geneva Academy?

During my Erasmus at the University of Neuchâtel, I attended a guest lecture on transitional justice and I knew that it was my thing right away.

Transitional justice is a very specific domain, yet it involves expertise from a wide variety of fields. The combination of the Geneva Academy solid academic reputation with the fact that it offers a master programme in this field made it a fairly evident choice to apply to the MTJ.

What are you particularly enjoying about this programme?

The MTJ courses offer exactly what I lacked in my law education: a holistic approach to conflicts.

For me, the strongest point of the programme is the diversity of students who give incredibly interesting insights from their home countries during classes.

Would you Recommend it?

I would recommend the MTJ to anyone who is looking for a holistic programme in the field of transitional justice and human rights.

What are you planning to do next?

After graduation, I plan to gain experience in the field for a couple of years, either with an NGO or with an international organization. The programme will help me to reach this objective by acquiring the tools and postgraduate degree to do so.

Why did you choose to be photographed in front of Bains des Pâquis?

I chose a picture at Bains des Pâquis because this is the place that combines all the joys of Geneva. It’s close to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and gives a great overview of the lake with the old town and the mountains behind it. And, most importantly, people of all backgrounds gather here to have breakfast before work, go for a swim, walk, have a drink or read a book.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

News

The Jean-Pictet Competition: Learning Beyond the Classroom

10 December 2024

Each year, the Geneva Academy sends a team of students to the Jean-Pictet Competition. Participating in this leading moot court is a life-changing experience and an integral part of our programmes.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Session of the UN Human Rights Committee Project

Treaty Body Review 2020 and Beyond

Started in January 2018

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.

Read more

Project

The Lake Room Initiative (Space for Dialogue)

Started in February 2024

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more