The 8th edition of the Padova Model UPR has ended, University of Padova, November 25-28, 2025

The eighth edition of the Padova Model UPR, which took place from November 25 to 28, 2025, has concluded. This year, 40 students from various universities participated in the Model, specifically the University of Padova, the University of Bologna, Sciences Po University in Paris (France), the University of Graz (Austria), Roskilde University (Denmark), and Guangzhou University (China).

At the Human Rights Centre at the University of Padua, where the simulation took place, the student delegates have brought fresh perspectives and demonstrated remarkable commitment in international cooperation, enriching the discussions with their experiences. The environment was defined by a strong spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.

The opening speech, the first day, has been delivered by Mr. Mohamed Kheir, from the Universal Periodic Review Branch of the Human Rights Council. My Kheir also joined a “side event”; together with Juliette De Riviero, Chief of the Universal Periodic Review Branch (OHCHR), where students have been able to express their curiosities and questions on the current status and functioning of the UPR and the UN. 
A significant contribution was made by Nicoletta Zappile (UPR Info), Steven Jensen (Danish National Human Rights Institute), Ebru Demiralp Bekir (Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants), and former members of the Secretariat for taking part in the training sessions and providing crucial guidance to the participants.

After the four-day simulation and more than one month of training and preparation, these are the awarded students.

Best State Under Review: The awarded team played the role of the State delegation of Trinidad and Tobago composed of students from Sciences Po University in Paris (France).

Best Recommending State: The awarded team played the role of the State delegation of Trinidad and Tobago composed of students from Sciences Po University in Paris (France).

Best NHRI Delegation: The award went to the team playing the role of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, composed of students from Sciences Po University in Paris (France).

Best INGO Delegation: The best team was the one playing the role of Friends of the Earth composed of students from the University of Padova.

Best Performing Team According to the Participants: The award went to the team playing the role of the National Human Rights Commission (Lebanon) composed of students from the University of Padova.

And last but not least, the realisation of the Model would not be possible without the amazing Secretariat team made by Camila Velasco, Bianca Baldan, Francesca Crescente, Benedetta Rose Artolli, GIovanna Aguiar, Maria Sarkis, Ronja Aust, Valentina Beltran, Silvia Juliana Vega, Natalia Aguirre, Bianca Zoppa, Federica Napoleoni, assisted by Paolo De Stefani, Anna Cicala, and Sofia Vanzan.

The Padova Model UPR is organised by an international team of students and former delegates, with the coordination of professors from the Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca” and the MA Degree Programme in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance (HRG). It is supported by the Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies (SPGI), the Archive "Peace Human Rights" of the University of Padova. UN officers of the OHCHR UPR branch and of UPR Info participate as experts and resource persons.