Geneva Law Study Trip

Posted on: 28 October 2024 by Millie Coombs in Blog

I attended a study trip to Geneva with three other second-year law students to visit the UN institutions. This trip was a fantastic opportunity to enhance and develop our understanding of international law, build new friendships and explore a new city.

Day 1 – The UK Mission to Geneva and the Palais Wilson

Our first morning in Geneva began with a meeting with Henry Wells, the First Secretary of the UK Mission to Geneva. This provided us with invaluable insight into the work that diplomats undertake in the Foreign Office. Henry explained the different pathways into this role and what the work entails. I found his discussion of his career background and his experiences in Cairo and China particularly interesting, especially as he spoke of the challenges involved in navigating human rights negotiations in those countries.

After meeting with Henry Wells, we had a short break for lunch. This gave us the opportunity to visit Lake Geneva for the first time, which was a lovely place to grab a bite to eat and learn more about the city’s culture.

We spent the rest of our afternoon at the Palais Wilson, the current headquarters of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. There, we attended the Venezuela Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Sitting in on an important international committee meeting that would be broadcast was a highly informative and profound experience. Standing in the Palais Wilson, the headquarters of the League of Nations, felt surreal, and the architecture of the institution truly emphasised the stature of the building we were in.

After the Venezuela Session, we met with Dr Vassillis Tzevelokos, a Reader in Law at the University of Liverpool and Vice-Chairperson of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. Dr Tzevelokos and a colleague explained the mechanisms and structure of the Palais Wilson and the role of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, giving us a deeper understanding of the Palais Wilson's significance in international law.

We then had the rest of the evening to explore the city, spending it swimming in Lake Geneva and grabbing pizza afterwards.

Day 2 – International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, and International Committee of the Red Cross

On our second morning in Geneva, we attended the International Labour Organization, which provided brilliant insight into the development of workers’ rights as spearheaded by this UN organisation. Seeing the flags of the 187 member states lined up inside the building was truly astounding and served as a real reminder of the importance of this organisation in pursuing labour rights globally.

After a quick lunch break, we headed to the World Health Organization (WHO). Upon entry, we were awestruck by the significance of this institution, which has been responsible for many notable health declarations in recent years. We attended a meeting on the WHO’s involvement in establishing tobacco regulations in member states. It was interesting to learn about the impact of such regulations, like plain packaging, on decreasing tobacco use and limiting the role of advertising in promoting tobacco consumption.

Our second day in Geneva concluded with a touching and inspiring meeting with Yulia Jourova from the International Committee of the Red Cross. She spoke about her work and the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in upholding the rights of people affected by conflict through humanitarian assistance, reconnecting families, and supporting hostages in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Hearing about her experiences and the rewarding nature of her work was both thought-provoking and emotive.

Day 3 – Boat Ride, World Intellectual Property Organization, and World Trade Organization

Our third day began with a boat ride on Lake Geneva, a lovely and serene way to take in the city before heading to the World Intellectual Property Organization in the afternoon.

At the World Intellectual Property Organization, we met with Pooyan Piredier, a young expert at the organisation, who provided us with an understanding of how intellectual property rights operate at an international level. He shed light on the importance of upholding these rights in order to encourage future innovation.

After our visit to the World Intellectual Property Organization, we concluded our trip to the UN institutions with a meeting with several lawyers at the World Trade Organization. This insight into trade was an invaluable opportunity to learn about how trade operates effectively between member states and enrich our understanding of international law.

In the evening, we enjoyed drinks at a café along the lake. It was a great moment to reflect on the trip and the experiences we had shared.

Concluding thoughts

I would like to thank the School of Law and Social Justice Internationalisation Team for organising such an enriching trip. The connections, support, and knowledge we received are a testament to Dr Áine Clancy and Dr Vassillis Tzevelokos, who accompanied us in Geneva.

We met new people, learned from experts, and spent valuable time at an esteemed institution—the United Nations. It was an unforgettable experience, and I would encourage all law students to apply for a study trip!