Overview

Objectives

  • Acquire specialised knowledge in children’s rights in their theoretical as well as in their practical dimensions through an international and an interdisciplinary approach to the study of children’s rights
  • Understand and critically discuss the role of international instruments on children’s rights in the implementation and monitoring of children’s rights, with a particular focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Develop the ability to contribute to the resolution of child rights related issues and problems
  • Exercise tools to effectively use human rights standards and mechanisms at the international and national levels

Audience

Professional who works with children’s rights issues: lawyer, psychologist, sociologist, judge, law enforcement officer, social worker, teacher, government official, staff from governmental and non governmental organisations, academic and journalist

Programme

2 week-long modules to be chosen among the following modules of the MAS:

  • Module 1: Children's Rights and Childhood Studies
  • Module 2: International Children’s Rights Law
  • Module 3: Child Protection Strategies and Policies
  • Module 4: Children’s Rights and Migration
  • Module 5: Child Labour and Education
  • Module 6: Children’s Rights and Criminal Justice
  • Module 7: Children’s Rights Policy Implementation and Monitoring

Registration

Registration deadline

8 April 2026
Modules can be followed individually
Registration for individual modules up to 2 months before the start of the module.

Fees:

CAS: CHF 5'000.- (+ CHF 150.- inscription fee)

Individual module: 2'300.- (+ CHF 150.- inscription fee)

Financial support (chèque annuel de formation)

Admission criteria

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in the field of social and human sciences conferred by the University of Geneva, a Swiss University of Applied Sciences, a University recognised by the University of Geneva, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent by the Steering committee
  • Provide evidence of at least one year's professional experience in a field linked to the course
  • Have a level of proficiency in English deemed sufficient to follow the teaching and participate in the programme and discussions.

Number of participants

The number of participants is adapted to the chosen pedagogy.

Curriculum

Period

February 2025 - December 2026

Credits

12 ECTS credits

Teaching hours

64 teaching hours
2 week-long modules to be chosen among the following modules of the MAS:

Module 1: Children's Rights and Childhood Studies (Online learning)

Location

Online

Planning

17-21 February 2025

Module 2: International Children’s Rights Law (University of Geneva)

Location

University of Geneva

Planning

12-16 May 2025

Module 3: Child Protection Strategies and Policies (Online learning)

Location

Online

Planning

29 September - 3 October 2025

Module 4: Children’s Rights and Migration (Online learning or University of Geneva)

Location

Online / University of Geneva

Planning

24-28 November 2025

Module 5: Child Labour and Education (Online learning)

Location

Online

Planning

9-13 March 2026

Module 6: Children’s Rights and Criminal Justice (Online learning)

Location

Online

Planning

8-12 June 2026

Module 7: Children’s Rights Policy Implementation and Monitoring (Valais Campus - Sion)

Location

Valais Campus - Sion

Planning

9-13 November 2026

Director(s)

Prof. Karl HANSON, Centre for Children's Rights Studies (CIDE), University of Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Simon NEHME, University of Geneva

Related programmes

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

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