Celebrating Commitment and Hope for the Future at the Geneva Academy Graduation

5 November 2024

This week, 104 students graduated from our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Master in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law, and Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict. This is a key milestone for our students, and in addition to the hundreds of families and friends present in the room, 170 people joined the celebration online.

Opening remarks were made by Nico Krisch, Professor of International Law and Head of the International Law Department at the Geneva Graduate Institute, on behalf of Paola Gaeta, Director of the Geneva Academy and Professor of Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute. He was followed by Christian Bovet, Honorary Professor at the Law Faculty, University of Geneva, and President of the Board of the Geneva Academy, and Gloria Gaggioli, Associate Professor and Vice-Dean at the Law Faculty, University of Geneva, who served as Master of Ceremonies.

The keynote address was delivered by Sareta Ashraph, Barrister and Senior Legal Adviser at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and Center for Justice and Accountability. Addressing the students, she stated: ‘The law and its institutions improve and grow from diversity. Your experiences and insights are not only valuable; they are necessary. Never be afraid to bring your full self to the table.’

During the ceremony, the best paper from each programme was awarded a distinguished prize, alongside the Henry Dunant Research Prize, which was presented to a member of the graduating LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights class of 2024 for a paper that deepens, strengthens, and renews the ideals and commitment of Henry Dunant. Read more about it here.

Gloria Gaggioli, Associate Professor and Vice-Dean at the Law Faculty, University of Geneva, who served as Master of Ceremonies, said: ‘It was such a beautiful moment to celebrate the graduation of the 104 Geneva Academy students and ExMAS participants! Witnessing the energy, level of expertise, creativity, and dedication to the humanitarian cause of the next generation of experts in international humanitarian law, human rights law, and transitional justice gives me hope for a brighter future. Our world in turmoil needs not only a renewed commitment to existing norms but also novel solutions to existing and upcoming challenges.’