Anticipated Summer 2022 | TBD
Program Fee: TBD | Application Deadline: TBD
This interactive program is an immersive course of study aimed at undergraduate and graduate students passionate about a career in human rights advocacy, or just looking to enhance their awareness on such topics as women’s rights, climate justice, and the basic rights of migrants and refugees.
The Institute is unique compared to traditional academic studies of human rights, as the focus of this program is to bring working human rights advocates from around the world to the table, allowing them to share their experiences and career paths with the next generation of human rights advocates. The Institute identifies human rights as foundational to leadership. The bedrock principles of the human rights agenda are the bulwark of global citizenship.
Academic Director
Rangita de Silva de Alwis is the Senior Adjunct Professor of Global Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. She is an esteemed women’s human rights scholar and practitioner with over 25 years of experience working globally in over 25 countries. Rangita has worked with a vast network of academic institutions, governments, and non-government entities on women’s human rights law, policy making, and institutional reform.
Rangita de Silva de Alwis podcast — ‘Human Rights in the Time of COVID-19’
Listen to Rangita de Silva de Alwis in conversation with Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions to discuss human rights in the time of COVID-19.
Why You Should Attend
Unique chance to learn from experienced practitioners in the field
The Institute brings experienced human rights advocates and practitioners together from around the world to share their experiences and career paths with students.
Theory blended with the examination of developing trends in human rights
This program is designed to increase your understanding of human rights theory through a blend of interactive lectures that explore the most current and pressing human rights issues.
Discover how human rights intersect with other careers
The sessions help to uncover the ways that human rights advocacy can intersect with your career aspirations, whether in law, policy, business, or other fields.
Opportunity to network with peers & fellow advocates
Learn from the shared experiences of fellow students from around the globe and expand your network of human rights advocates leading change both near and far.
A gateway towards becoming an effective leader & advocate for human rights
The Institute is designed to transform students into the next generation of human rights scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Past students of the Institute have gone on to lead impactful advocacy work in different parts of the world, including Latin America and the Middle East. Others have opted to attend law school, including the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
Contact Us
Questions about the Institute, application process, and admissions can be directed to GIHR@law.upenn.edu.