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.
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.
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.
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.
I would recommend the MTJ to anyone who is looking for a holistic programme in the field of transitional justice and human rights.
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.
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.
Tong Li is enrolled in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law. In this interview, he tells about his background, the programme and what it will bring to his career.
Axel Fassio/CIFOR-ICRAF
In parallel to the 9th session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Governing Body, the Geneva Academy is contributing to the upcoming negotiations on farmers’ rights with a timely briefing paper.
UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré
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.
Adobe
This training course will explore the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as with their implementation and enforcement mechanisms; and provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders.
Victoria Pickering
This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.
Canva
Geneva Academy