Padova Model UPR, 7° edition, 18-22 November 2024
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 seventh Annual event will be held from 18-22 November 2024, 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 2024, by downloading our MODEL UPR HANDBOOK.
Watch the playlist of the simulation
How to apply
Evidence of inappropriate AI use in the application process will be grounds for disqualification/rejection
The application is open from 24 June 2024
Deadline for the application: 4th October 2024
Deadline Extension: 09 October 2023
Applications are closed
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 (researchers can participate online)
- States represented for the 2024 Padova Model UPR are listed as follows:
- Armenia
- El Salvador
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Spain
- Türkiye
Competency in languages that may help authentically represent a State is beneficial and should be considered when applying.
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 (researchers can participate online)
- CARE International
- Greenpeace
- Outright International
- Oxfam International
- PENAL REFORM International
- Refugees International
- 6 Teams representing NHRIs – each team with 1 member as NHRI representative and 1 member as researcher (researchers can participate online)
- Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia - Armenia
- Procuradoría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos de la República de El Salvador (PDDH) – El Salvador
- Kenya National Commission on Human Rights - Kenya
- The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives - Maldives
- Defensor Del Pueblo - Spain
- The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye - Türkiye
Outline of the main phases
1) Preparatory phase: October-November 2024
06.09 Announcement of the non-EU selected teams
09.10 Announcement of the EU selected teams
10.10 Deadline for confirmation of participation
11.10 The final announcement of the selected teams
Training Session and Special Event (online)
15.10 Welcome meeting - special guest: Nicoletta Zappile, UPR Info
21.10 Training session 1 - special guest: UPR Branch, OHCHR
24.10 Training session 2
28.10 Training session 3
2) Simulation phase: 18-22 November 2024 (Padova)
18.11 Welcome day
19.11 Pre-session
20.11 Working Group Session
21.11 Lobbying with States
22.11 Human Rights Council Plenary Session Item 6, Awards & Closing Ceremony.
You can stay up-to-date on the 2024 simulation, including the launch of the application process, by following us on social media (Instagram: @humanrightscentre, FB of the MA).
