United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme

The United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme is a six-week course organized annually by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, under the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, which is one of the cornerstones of the United Nation’s efforts to promote the rule of law. 

 

The International Law Fellowship Programme is designed to enable qualified persons, in particular, mid-level government legal officers and young teachers of international law from developing countries, and countries with emerging economies, to deepen their knowledge of international law.

The Courses

The Fellowship Programme consists of a six-week summer course at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. Fellows attend courses in public international law at The Hague Academy of International Law and participate in lectures and seminars organized by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs. The courses are given in either English or French. The 2013 Programme will be conducted in English.

Fellows are selected on the basis of their qualifications, the needs of their respective countries and the potential benefits they may derive from the fellowship in their professional life. Preference will be given to candidates from countries whose nationals have not been awarded a fellowship in the immediately preceding years and to candidates from least developed countries.

Financial Arrangements

The Fellowship Programme will cover the fellowship recipient’s travel costs in economy class, medical insurance, the training material and the registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law. In accordance with policies and procedures governing the administration of United Nations fellowships, participants will receive a stipend to cover their living expenses. Accommodation will also be provided by the Fellowship Programme.

Additional places will be made available for self-funded participants from developed countries and employees of international organizations who will have to bear all costs associated with their participation (travel, accommodation, living expenses, registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law).

Qualification

To qualify for the fellowship, candidates should be between 24 and 40 years of age at the beginning of the Fellowship Programme. They should be law graduates with practical experience in the field of international law acquired by working for a public or private organization or a university. Candidates will have to certify that they are able to attend the entire Programme period.

Candidates must be able to submit evidence of their ability to attend and participate in lectures and seminars conducted in English (e.g., diploma of courses conducted in English, language test certificate, extensive work experience in English).

Application

Complete the application form legibly, in English, preferably typewritten. (If handwritten, please write in CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS.) Answers should be clear and as detailed as possible. If you need extra space, you may attach additional pages. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

The letter of transmission must be completed and signed by a senior official of the institution that presents the candidate’s application.

The application form should be sent by email, fax or post to:  

United Nations Headquarters OLA/COD
Attn: International Law Fellowship Programme
405 E 42nd Street, Room: M-13068D
New York, NY 10017, USA 

Tel.: +1 212 963 5332   -   Fax: +1 212 963 1963   -   Email: ilfp@un.org

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2013. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Further details about the programme can be found here