Faculté de médecine Faculté de médecine

Geneva Course on Drug Policy, Public Health and Diplomacy

The debate on drug policy reform is ongoing


Since the adoption of the international drug control framework sixty years ago, drug production, demand and use have increased reaching record highs every year, despite fierce prohibition law enforcement. In the last ten years, more and more countries have started reviewing their approach to drugs while the international multilateral system has recognized the need to integrate drug policy with sustainable development objectives. Throughout this three-day immersive course, you will become familiar with the ongoing international debates on drug policy reform and examine how it closely relates to public health
and human rights.
The course is highly participatory, drawing on the national and international experiences of participants. It includes lectures, case studies and working groups. A negotiation simulation exercise will complement the learning experience.

  • Professor Michel Kazatchkine, former Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, Senior Fellow, Global Health Center, the Geneva Graduate Institute
  • Professor Barbara Broers, former Head of the Unit for Dependencies, Geneva University Hospitals, Member of the Swiss Federal Commission for questions related to Addictions
  • Professor Alexandra Calmy, Vice Dean for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Director of the Clinical Research Center, University of Geneva, University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG)

  • Professor Thomas Zeltner, former Director of the Federal Office of Public Health of Switzerland
  • Professor Antoine Flahault, Director of the Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva and Director of the Swiss School of Public Health, Zürich
  • Professor Michel Kazatchkine, former Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, Senior Fellow, Global Health Center, the Geneva Graduate Institute
  • Professor Barbara Broers, former Head of the Unit for Dependencies, Geneva University Hospitals, Member of the Swiss Federal Commission for questions related to Addictions, and NCD
  • Professor Alexandra Calmy, Vice Dean for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Director of the Clinical Research Center, University of Geneva, University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG)

  • Understand the health, human rights-related, diplomatic and political issues around drug policies and drug policy reform
  • Become acquainted with the international drug control system and the institutional and governance structures of international drug control
  • Become familiar with diplomatic negotiations
  • Debate the current challenges for drug policy reform at regional and international levels

  • Gain insight into the key concepts and current issues related to the international drug control regime and its intersection with public health and human rights
  • Negotiate and influence the design and the implementation of drug policies nationally and internationally
  • Identify the stakeholders of the drug policy debate and international processes
  • Prioritize public health-based approaches to drug policy at the national level

Government representatives from ministries of health, foreign affairs, justice, interior and drug control agencies; Representatives from international and regional institutions; Parliamentarians; Representatives from non-governmental organizations; Health attachés and diplomats with a portfolio linked to health, drug policy and human rights; Professionals in academia; Professionals from private sector.

  • 20 hours of lectures, case studies and discussions.
  • 3 days, Monday – Wednesday, 9:00 to 18:00
  • In presence and virtual (blended mode)
  • Working language, english
  • Site visits in Geneva on day 4 (optional)
  • 2 ECTS (optional) for 3 days course presence and 40 hours of preparation (MOOC)
  • Micro-certification: 3 ECTS (optional) for 3 days course presence, full preparation and written and evaluated paper (30 additional hours)

 

The programme will be organised around the following three themes:

 

  • Day 1 | 19 October 
    Drugs, drug use and the international drug control regime
  • Day 2 | 20 October
    Drug policies, UN and multilateral diplomacy
  • Day 3 | 21 October
    Drug policy, health and human rights
  • Day 4 | optional
    Site visits

Admission Criteria
On-line application including a short CV and a cover letter. Applications will be reviewed by the steering committee. Candidates will be informed by e-mail.
For educational reasons, the number of participants will not exceed 30.


On-line Application
Deadline for application: 10 September 2026
www.unige.ch/formcont/en/courses/drug-policy


Fees

  • CHF 800.- On-line participation
  • CHF 1’400.- Full in-presence course
  • CHF 1’600.- Full in-presence course and pre-arranged site visits on day 4
  • CHF 1’700.- Full in-presence course with supervision of written and evaluated paper | Micro-certification

A limited number of scholarships (full or waivers) will be available


Location
Campus Biotech, 9, chemin des Mines, 1202 Genève


Information
Kamila Guseinova
Kamila.guseinova(at)unige.ch

17 Jul 2026

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