Overview

Objectives

  • Acquire extended and specialised knowledge in children’s rights in their theoretical and practical dimensions
  • Deepen understanding of the role of international instruments on children’s rights in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes
  • Develop develop critical thinking on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Audience

Professionals who work with children’s rights, these may include: lawyers, psychologists, sociologists, judges, social workers, government officials, staff from non-governmental organisations, academics and journalists

Learning outcomes

  • Acquire detailed knowledge of children’s rights in the fields of law, sociology, psychology, culture and economics, including differences in gender and culture
  • Be able to adopt a critical approach to understanding the origins, nature, limits and implementation of children’s rights from an international and interdisciplinary perspective
  • Increase their skills in collaborative and independent learning via the resolution of intellectually challenging tasks in order to improve problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
  • Learn relevant theoretical, methodological and analytical techniques and develop skills in order to identify and contribute to resolving issues and problems relating to the realisation of children’s rights
  • Improve their presentation and advocacy skills via the production of seminar presentations, discussion papers, essays and project work dealing with particular issues in children’s rights
  • Develop the necessary tools to use human rights standards and mechanisms at a national and international level

Programme

7 week-long modules:

  • Module 1 Children's Rights and Childhood Studies (Online learning)
  • Module 2 International Children’s Rights Law (University of Geneva)
  • Module 3 Child Protection Strategies and Policies (Online learning)
  • Module 4 Children’s Rights and Migration (Online learning)
  • Module 5 Child Labour and Education (Online learning)
  • Module 6 Children’s Rights and Criminal Justice (Online learning)
  • Module 7 Children’s Rights Policy Implementation and Monitoring (Valais Campus - Sion)

Registration

Registration deadline

15 November 2026

Fees:

  • CHF 15'000.- + CHF 150.- application fee

Detailed fees

  • The total tuition fee for the two-years Master of Advanced Studies in Children's Rights (MAS) is CHF 15'000.- (approximately 13.730,5 EUR / 15.208,7 USD) + CHF 150.- application fee.
    This sum is for the MAS and does not include travel or living expenses.
  • The tuition fee for a single module (certificate of attendance) is CHF 2'300.- + CHF 150.- application fee.
  • The tuition fee for two modules with two exams and final paper (12 ECTS Credits) granting a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Children's Rights (CAS) is CHF 5'000.- + CHF 150.- application fee.

Admission criteria

  • University degree (or judged equivalent)
  • At least two years of experience relevant to the programme
  • level of proficiency in English

Application File

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of your identity document
  • Copy of your University diploma
  • Letter of motivation
  • Knowledge of English (teaching language)
  • Two letters of reference from people in a position to judge your professional and/or academic abilities
  • For persons residing in Switzerland or who already lived/studied/worked in Switzerland with an existing ID number AVS (13 digits): a copy of any document with your AVS number (for example on your swiss health insurance card). The enrolment number for students at Swiss universities is based on the AVS number.

Payment of the application fees of CHF 150.- by credit card during the applicaiton process. If you would like to pay the application fee through e-banking, please contact the secretariat for bank details: mcr-secretariat(at)unige.ch

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Cancellation Policy

Any withdrawal before the start of the programme will incur an administration fee of CHF 400.- Fees will be payable in full once the course has begun.


Curriculum

Period

February 2027 - December 2028

Credits

60 ECTS credits

Teaching hours

224 teaching hours
Geneva played an international historical role in the advancement of the field of children's rights from the Children Right Declaration (Geneva Declaration) in 1924 to the drafting process of the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. Today, Geneva is the main children’s rights international hub with the widest network of child rights specialists and advocates. It hosts the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC Committee), along with the major international non-governmental organizations and the United Nations Office harboring the headquarters of main UN agencies operating toward the dissemination and implementation of children’s rights worldwide. Within this context, the UNIGE interdisciplinary Centre for Children's Rights Studies offers the Master of Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights (MCR). A programme established by D.h.c. Jean Zermatten, former member and chairperson of the CRC Committee.

Being embedded within such a distinctive setting, and benefit of the strong ties of the UNIGE with the many international governmental and nongovernmental Geneva-based organizations, the MCR Programme exposes students to international expertise with unique networking opportunities. Lectures are given by international experts in the field of children’s rights from the academic world, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental institutions. The participation of these prominent academics and highly skilled field experts with various types of expertise and from different countries ensures multidisciplinary and cultural perspectives on children’s rights.

Pedagogical method

The programme takes place over a two-year period and requires participants to attend seven week-long modules (five modules will be delivered online and two will be residential) combined with completion of exercises and examinations based on the required readings. Students are also expected to write a paper, to complete a group project, to participate in an external seminar or conference and to write a master thesis dissertation. A team of professors and academic staff members will guide them through the process.

It is worth highlighting that for those not able to complete the MCR programme, the following two options are on offer:

  • to attend single modules and received a certificate of attendance
  • to combine two modules of your choice and receive a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Children Rights (See CAS below).

Partnerships / Collaboration

Sponsored by

Unfortunately, the MCR programme cannot provide fellowships. We strongly recommend to look for financial assistance to authorities, institutes or NGOs in your own country, as these offer the highest chances to obtain positive results, for example national grant authorities, local governmental ornon-governmental child rights agencies, international organisations or private foundations that consider individual requests for fellowships.

Accreditation / Recognition / Certification

AAQ
3 minutes with the Master in Children's Rights
Ekaterina Belukova - Participant MAS
Francesco d'Ovidio - Testimonial MAS
Launching the Children's Rights Academy - October 2023, Geneva

Testimonial

As the director of an NGO that focuses on the rights of children, I have found the course extremely relevant and helpful for my work. It has challenged my own perceptions of children and childhood and has grounded me with a good working knowledge of the CRC. The interdisciplinary approach of the program has broadened my perspective immensely. (James Jolley)

Testimonial

The MCR was an excellent opportunity to broaden my own understanding of children’s rights, especially within an international context, while simultaneously creating friendships with other like-minded professionals from all over the world. The privilege of being in an academic setting amongst professionals with expertise in their individual fields created a stimulating environment to reflect upon and learn about pertinent issues in children’s rights. I looked forward to each module and consider myself privileged to study at this stage of my career. I would recommend the MCR programme to anyone who is wanting to solidify their knowledge base, challenge themselves and meet an interesting group of people. (Kelley Bunkers)

Testimonial

It is an extremely useful programme for professionals interested in children’s and human rights. The theoretical knowledge gained is sure to enhance the practical work of the participants. (Deepak Paj Sapkota)

Testimonial

This is a high quality part-time course that represents a unique opportunity to learn with and from internationally-recognised professionals concerned with children’s agency. Children around the globe deserve to have adults who are not just concerned about their rights but who have the in-depth knowledge necessary to help them to realise these rights. (Evelyn Winkler)

Testimonial

The MCR professors, staff and classmates have added a new dimension to my thinking about how we can positively impact the lives of children throughout the world. The synergy of the brainpower in our classroom is electrifying. (Sherry Sacino)

Testimonial

The MCR provides a great richness in its diversity. Participants and lecturers from all sorts of backgrounds and disciplines are involved in working towards one unifying goal – to understand and raise our children in a spirit of respect for their human rights. (Alice Durgnat Levi)

Testimonial

The programme combines competence, professionalism, conviviality and the pleasure to learn and has provided me with technical knowledge, rigorous thinking on sensitive issues and an open mindedness that are all extremely precious in the exercise of my profession as an advocate. It’s practical and theoretical content, that have been enriched with personal exchanges amongst students and with lecturers, allow me to approach with pertinence and acuteness a broad range of issues regarding children. (Andrée Millet)

Testimonial

After participating in the MCR Programme, I decided to embark on a PhD research project on children's participation. Thanks to the MCR, I got access to a strong and reliable network of academics and key NGO staff members who have all been really helpful for developing my research. (Carine Le Borgne)

Testimonial

The programme offers the possibility to multiply and advocate children's rights in a very holistic and global human rights context. (…) Joining the programme is a must for professionals who work with and for children. (Sandra Stössel)

Director(s)

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

Coordinator(s)

Simon NEHME, University of Geneva

Steering committee

  • Prof. Karl HANSON, Co-director, Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva
  • Dr Roberta RUGGIERO, Co-director, Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva
  • Prof. Daniel STOECKLIN, Member, Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva
  • Mr Simon NEHME, Programme coordinator, Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva

Scientific committee

  • Prof. Abdeljalil AKKARI, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva
  • Alan KIKUCHI-WHITE, SOS Children's Villages International
  • Elena PATRIZI, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Geneva’s Centre for Children’s Rights Studies
  • Prof. Maya HERTIG RANDALL, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
  • Paola Riva GAPANY, International institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE)
  • Dr. Yvan DROZ, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies IHEID

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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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