LLM Study Trip: Geneva 2024

Posted on: 14 March 2024 in Blog

In February 2024, four students pursuing their LLM at the University of Liverpool Law School travelled on a study trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where they had the amazing opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of international law and experience first-hand how international law functions in practice.

LLM students Claudia Muresan, Elia Boutros, Xinbin Cui, and Sophia Perez, accompanied by PhD student Demi-Lee Franklin, had the opportunity to attend the 31st session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, as visitors of the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee and Reader in Law at the University of Liverpool, Dr. Vassilis Tzevelekos.

Additionally, they visited international institutions including the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Here, they recount their activities during the trip and reflect on what they gained from the experience.

Selection Process

The Law school organised an essay competition for LLM students, from which the top four essays were selected to earn a place on the study trip. Students were asked to submit a 1,000-word essay addressing the topic “A World Without the United Nations”.

At this stage of the application process, our written submissions focused on the progress of the UN in facilitating a platform for the development and progress of human rights, and its role in creating specialist subsidiary organisations to implement various projects. This set the tone for our experiences in Geneva as we arrived with a positive spirit.

Day 1 and 2

The UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee

As soon as we arrived in Geneva, we travelled to UN headquarters in the Palais des Nations and attended the 31^st session of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. Across two days, we attended three of these sessions in which the Committee’s discussions covered neurotechnology and impact on human rights, and the human rights implications of new and emerging technologies in the military domain. It was fascinating to see the inner workings of the Committee, including the speeches made by the Committee members and State representatives on relevant human rights issues.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to speak to staff members from the Secretariat, the Office of the High Commissioner, and with diplomats from the Greek and Hungarian delegations. It was an eye-opening experience to speak to exceptional people who have come from different paths of life. We were positively surprised to learn about the diverse career opportunities available to students who study international law, but also the many other career backgrounds employees at the United Nations come from.

Day 3

International Committee of the Red Cross

In the morning, we visited the museum of the International Committee of the Red Cross. We learned about the role of the Red Cross in developing the Geneva Conventions which provide international legal standards of humanitarian law during conflict. Additionally, we gained valuable insight into how the institution provides aid and supports victims of war across the globe.

The exhibition we attended was incredibly moving. It featured items and stories of victims from the genocides in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia, as well as art made by prisoners of war from around the world. We were particularly shocked to see an item displayed in the museum: an originally blank canvas on which aggrieved mothers collectively wrote down their contact numbers and addresses for disappearing children to be able to find them in the future.

World Trade Organisation

In the afternoon, we visited the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Daniel Baker, a dispute settlement lawyer from the Legal Affairs Division. Upon our arrival, we were mesmerised by the size of the Centre William Rappard, home of the World Trade Organisation, and its significance as the first building in Geneva specifically built to house an international organisation.

When we met with Mr. Baker, we discussed about the governing structure of the WTO, the challenges the institution is facing, and the creative steps it is taking to resolve these challenges. We were delighted to learn about Mr. Baker’s role as a dispute settlement lawyer in advising the dispute panel, the Appellate Body, and Member States to help ensure that negotiations progress smoothly and that the appropriate policy decisions are adopted and reviewed.

“Prior to this visit, I did not expect get so invested in the affairs of the World Trade Organization as my area of interest is in international human rights law. However, this experience was incredibly rewarding as I developed a fascination for the system of the WTO. It is an institution I am considering working for in the future.” – Claudia.

Geneva Academy Event on Equality and Non-Discrimination

In the evening, we attended a book launch of Geneva Academy’s alumnus George Dvaladze. His new book, "Equality and Non-Discrimination in Armed Conflict", addresses a significant shortage in legal literature in this area, including the distinction and overlaps between the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and the interplay between these principles in the rules of armed conflict. We found this event quite interesting and were delighted to be given the opportunity to network with students, alumni, and professors at the Academy.

Day 4

World Health Organisation

On our last day in Geneva, we visited the World Health Organisation, where we had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Benn McGrady, the Head for the Public Health Law and Policies Unit. This department specialises in the intersection of public international law and health, focusing on the regulation of risk factors and non-communicable diseases, international trade, and investment law.

Dr. McGrady emphasized his crucial role in advising public health bodies, foreign governments, and inter-governmental organisations to implement global health standards domestically. Our discussions delved into complexities surrounding tobacco products and nutrition labelling, particularly the challenges related to advertising and marketing and how this is linked between the inherent conflict between the World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation.

“As a student taking the Global Health Law module, this visit provided a unique change to gain first-hand insight into the practical experiences of professionals in this institution and offered valuable context to the theoretical aspects covered in the course.” – Sophia.

Student reflections

“Prior to this trip, I was unsure on what routes I could go down once I finished my master’s degree. However, this trip increased my awareness on the vast number of diverse career paths available, many of which I had never considered previously, but would be better suited for me.” – Sophia Perez, General Law LLM student.

“The trip to Geneva brought my study of international law to life. Witnessing the practical side of subjects that I have studied helped deepen my understanding of them as well as underlining their importance and place within the international legal system. The trip also informed me of the different career opportunities and avenues in places such as international organisations, foreign ministries, and NGO’s.” – Elia Boutros, International Law LLM student.

“This study trip represented one of the most enriching experiences I had the honour to be a part of during my time studying on the LLM. I had the privilege to speak with exceptional people and gain insight about their life experiences, their roles, and to receive first-hand advice from experts in the fields I see myself working in the future. I am extremely grateful to have been selected to participate in this trip as it facilitated an opportunity to experience the innerworkings of the UN and other institutions, and to make connections that will be invaluable as I move forward with pursuing a career in the field of international law.” – Claudia Muresan, International Law LLM student.

Conclusions

We would like to thank Dr. Vassilis Tzevelekos, Dr. Katie Johnston, Siobhan Regan, Winifred Monaghan, and Demi-Lee Franklin for making this trip possible. We had an amazing time in Geneva and we recommend this trip to all law students who are offered the opportunity to go on a study trip organised by the University!