Padova Model UPR, 8° edition, 25-28 November 2025

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 simulation offers participants an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms and dynamics of the UPR procedure held in Geneva through active participation.

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-led UPR 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 delegates of Civil Society Organisations. 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. UN officers of the OHCHR UPR branch and of UPR Info participate as experts and resource persons.

The eighth annual event will be held from 25 to 28 November 2025, and there are no fees for participation.

The Padova Model UPR is open to university master's students and senior undergraduate students in a relevant field, including law, human rights, and international relations. The language of the Padova Model UPR is English.

You can learn more about the operational guidance for the implementation of the Padova Model 2025, by downloading our MODEL UPR HANDBOOK.

The first info session is going to be held Wednesday 2nd July at 5.30 pm CET at the following link: https://unipd.zoom.us/j/84147279542 

What are you waiting for? We look forward to welcoming you!

Who can participate?

- 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 only accept applications in teams (4 people for States and 2 for INGOs and NHRIs). In case you are looking for a group to apply with, we  will provide a Telegram channel where you can meet other aspiring participants and find your group peers.

- At the moment of the application participants will express their interest in representing a specific State/INGO/NHRI.

How to apply

The application is open from 16th June 2025.

Deadline for the application:

• Non-EU citizens: 5th September 2025
• EU citizens: 3rd October 2025

APPLY HERE:

Students enrolled in European Universities: https://forms.gle/ymGnj1MJZFLb6ciEA  

Students enrolled in Non-European Universities: https://forms.gle/jwroGxTQozv6vQoM6 

Evidence of inappropriate AI use in the application process will be grounds for disqualification/rejection.

Modalities of participation

As a team representing States
- 6 Teams representing States – each team will be composed of 4 members as State delegates. 
States represented in the 2025 Padova Model UPR are the following:

• Australia
• Denmark
• Lebanon
• Rwanda
• Singapore 
• Trinidad and Tobago 

As a team representing NGOs or NHRIs
- 4 Teams representing International NGOs– each team will be composed of 2 members as NGO representatives.
NGOs represented in the 2025 Padova Model UPR are the following:

• International Alliance for Women 
• International Refugee Assistance Project
• Friends of the Earth International 
• Human Dignity Trust

- 4 Teams representing National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) – each team will be composed of 2 members as NHRI representatives. 
NHRIs represented for the 2025 Padova Model UPR are the following:

• Australia’s National Human Rights Institution 
• Danish Institute for Human Rights 
• Lebanon - National Commission for Human Rights 
• Rwanda - National Commission for Human Rights

Outline of the main phases

1) Preparatory phase: September-November 2025

12.09 Announcement of the non-EU selected teams 

09.10 Announcement of the EU selected teams 

10.10 Deadline for confirmation of participation 

13.10 The final announcement of the selected teams

Between 20.10 and 31.10 Training Sessions (online)

2) Simulation phase: 25-28 November 2025 (Padova)

25.11 Pre-session

26.11 Working Group Session

27.11 Lobbying with States

28.11 Human Rights Council Plenary Session Item 6, Awards & Closing Ceremony.

You can stay up-to-date on the 2025 simulation by following us on social media (Instagram: @modelupr.pd).

Contact: model.upr@unipd-centrodirittiumani.it