Padova Model UPR, 6° edition, 20-24 November 2023
The Padova Model UPR is an annual academic simulation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a unique United Nations (UN) mechanism which reviews the human rights records of all UN Member States. This unique programme offers participants an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms and dynamics of the UPR procedure held in Geneva through active participation. It provides interested students with an opportunity to learn about this important mechanism outside of the classroom.
The Padova Model UPR offers students from around the world a unique opportunity to learn about human rights, democracy and diplomacy in an interactive and engaging manner. It is the original, and most comprehensive, academic simulation of the UPR. By assuming the roles of State delegates, NGOs, and National Human Rights Institutions, participants will gain an understanding of the UPR procedure, which involves assessing States’ human rights records and addressing human rights violations. Professors of the University of Padova and Padova’s Human Rights Centre, along with the student Secretariat, will provide professional guidance and support throughout the event, including delivering a training programme. Participating teams will be assigned different roles, including: serving as representatives of States under Review, the Troika States, Reviewing States, as well as representing Civil Society Organisations. Further, to provide a full realistic experience, participants will also interact within the UPR Working Group and the sessions of the Human Rights Council. During the simulation, participants will review and analyse the human rights performance of the concerned States, participate in the interactive debate, and adopt the final lists of accepted and noted recommendations.
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, and the UN and NGO experts.
The sixth Annual event will be held from 20-24 November 2023, and there are no fees for participation.
The Padova Model UPR is open to university students who are in the final year of their undergraduate studies, as well as postgraduate students in a relevant field (including law, human rights, and international relations). The operational language of the Padova Model UPR is English.
You can learn more about the operational guidance for the implementation of the Padova Model 2023, by downloading our MODEL UPR HANDBOOK.
Padova Model UPR, 6° edition, 20-24 November 2023, Opening Speech Mr. Guillaume Ngefa, UPR Chief, OHCHR
Watch the playlist of the simulation
How to apply
The application is open from 1st June 2023.
Deadline: 06/10/2023
Who can apply?
- All International (European and Non-European) students older than 18 years of age;
- Bachelor students (must have completed at least 2 years), Master's students and PhD students, preferably in the fields of Political Sciences, Human Rights, International Relations, Social Sciences or Legal Studies;
- We give priority to applications in teams.
What are you waiting for? We look forward to welcoming you!
Modalities of participation
As a team representing States
- 6 Teams representing States – each team with 4 members as delegates and 1 member as researcher (their participation will be remote during the simulation days)
- States represented for the 2023 Padova Model UPR are listed as follows:
- Chile
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- Slovakia
Competency in languages that may help authentically represent a State is beneficial and should be considered when applying.
Individually or in pairs representing NGOs or NHRIs
- 6 Teams representing International NGOs/ local NGOs – each team with 1 member as NGO representative and 1 member as researcher (their participation will be remote during the simulation days)
- International NGOs represented at the 2023 Padova Model UPR are listed as follows:
- ILGA World
- International Disability Alliance - IDA
- World Resource Institute - WRI
- World Organization Against Torture -OMCT
- ECPAT International
- Equality Now
- 6 Teams representing NHRIs – each team with 1 member as NHRI representative and 1 member as researcher (their participation will be remote during the simulation days)
- Human Rights Commission (Saudi Arabia)
- Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (Mexico)
- National Human Rights Commission (Mauritius)
- Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission (New Zealand)
- Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos (Chile)
- Slovak National Centre for Human Rights (Slovakia)
Outline of the main phases
1) Preparatory phase: October-November 2023
10.10: Announcement of selected participants and disclosure of information regarding which State, NGO or NHRI they will represent.
15.10: Deadline of confirmation of participation
Training Session and Special Event (online):
16, 19, 23, 26.10
2) Simulation phase: 20-24 November 2023 (Padova)
20.11 Welcome day
21.11 Pre-session
22.11 Working Group Session
23.11 Lobbying with States and special event with Mr Guillaume Ngefa, UPR Chief, OHCHR
24.11 Human Rights Council Plenary Session Item 6, Awards & Closing Ceremony.
You can stay up-to-date on the 2023 simulation, including the launch of the application process, by following us on social media (@humanrightscentre, FB of the MA).
Contact: model.upr@unipd-centrodirittiumani.it
Seminar series, June-July 2023
Towards the Padova Model 2023: What’s new and challenges ahead
The Padova Model UPR is a simulation featuring the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a UN mechanism which reviews the human rights records of all Member States. The Padova Model UPR offers students from around the world a unique opportunity to learn about human rights diplomacy in an interactive and engaging way. The 6th edition of the Padova Model UPR will take place on November, 20-24, 2023. These webinars are addressed to past, current and prospect participants and organisers.
Flyer with the programme
Thursday 08.06.2023, 18:00-19:30
The UPR 4th cycle: Contribution of Civil Society Organisations
Nicoletta Zappile, UPR Info, Geneva
Thursday 22.06.2023 | 18:00-19:30
The UPR as a research field and the Model UPR as a learning platform
Katharina Freller, European Training and Research Centre for Human Right and Democracy, University of Graz, Model UPR Secretariat 2022
Thursday 29.06.2023 | 18:00-19:30
Communication and advertisement on human rights: skill building and tips
Jason McKeown, Communication officer, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Thursday 06.07.2023 | 18:00-19:30
The Padova Model UPR: concept, practical design and structure
Leah Rea, PhD candidate, Ulster University
Thursday 13.07.2023 | 18:00-19:30
The Padova Model UPR: Evaluation and follow-up
Leah Rea, PhD candidate, Ulster University
Thursday 20.07.2023 | 18:00-19:30
The Padova Model UPR: The learning experience
Leah Rea, PhD candidate, Ulster University
Thursday 24.07.2023 | 18:00-19:30
The Padova Model UPR: delivering training modules
Leah Rea, PhD candidate, Ulster University
