United Nations Office Fellowships

United Nations Office Fellowships: the UNOG Seminar is held annually and is intended to broaden the knowledge of the International Law Commission’s work as well as the codification and progressive development of international law. It also allows lawyers from other legal systems and cultures to exchange perspectives on subjects on the Commission’s agenda.

Application Deadline

April 12, 2024

The International Law Seminar is not intended as an introduction to international law. Applicants must demonstrate a strong understanding of international law through their postgraduate studies or significant practical experience in the field. ILS brings together 25 people from diverse United Nations Member States. In addition to attending ILC sessions, attendees are expected to participate actively in discussions after lectures delivered by Commission members, officials from the United Nations or specialized agencies in Geneva, and other speakers invited for the occasion.

United Nations Office at Geneva International Law Seminar Fellowships

Aims and Benefits of United Nations Office at Geneva International Law Seminar Fellowships

While participation in the seminar is free, the UNOG is unable to cover the cost of travel or subsistence for all participants. Governments have, however, contributed to the Trust Fund of the Seminar, which awards fellowship stipends every year to participants, primarily from developing countries.

Candidates can request fellowship on the application form, and justification must be provided in the letter of motivation. The selection committee will decide the awarding of fellowships, depending on the availability of funds.

Requirements for United Nations Office at Geneva International Law Seminar Fellowships Qualification

Applicants must be between 24 and 38 years of age. This rule will be applied strictly.

Interview date, Process and Venue for United Nations Office at Geneva International Law Seminar Fellowships

Selection Criteria: 

The members of the Selection Committee choose an average of six candidates from different countries from four geographic regions (Africa, America, Asia/Middle East, and Europe) and are guided by the following criteria:

• Legal experience and academic background
• usefulness of the Seminar for the career of the applicant and for his/her country
• Good knowledge of at least two of the three working languages of the Seminar (English, French, and Spanish)
• Adequate gender balance
• Availability of funds for fellowships.

All applications will be considered, but the Selection Committee does not disclose the motivation of its choices, and its decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Fellowships awarded for subsistence

An allowance to cover accommodation, meals, and miscellaneous expenses will be paid to participants upon their arrival in Geneva. Participants must provide proof of accommodation to the Legal Office.

This allowance does not cover (and the United Nations does not assume responsibility for) the following:

a)  All expenses for passport, visas, vaccinations, and other miscellaneous items; all expenditures in the home country and in connection with the travel;
b)  Payment of any salary and related allowances from the current employer of participants during the period of the Seminar;
c)  Travel and other costs incurred by dependents who might accompany participants;
d)  Costs incurred with respect to travel and accident insurance, medical bills and hospitalization costs in connection with attending the Seminar;
e) Compensation in the event of death or disability in connection with attendance at the seminar.

Fellowships awarded for travel

Participants will be awarded a return air ticket to Geneva from their country of residence for the period concerned (arrival the day before the opening of the seminar, return at the latest the day after closure). No payment will be made to cover other routing, modes of transportation, or extensions of the period referred to above.

The ticket issued to you will be in economy class, and no change in the reservation will be permitted, which would incur additional expenses for the organization.

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