Padova Model UPR, 4° edition, 23-26 November 2021

The Padova Model UPR is an 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 model offers participants an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms and dynamics of the UPR procedure held in Geneva.

The 4th Annual 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), supported by the Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies (SPGI) and the Archive "Peace Human Rights" of the University of Padova, as well as UN and NGO officers.

The Padova Model UPR 2021 offers students from around the world a unique opportunity to learn about human rights, democracy and diplomacy. The Padova Model is the first and most comprehensive academic simulation of the UPR. The 2019 edition was featured in the highlights of the UN campaign “Stand up for Human Rights''. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition was conducted entirely online, challenging participants to adapt to the same circumstances many UN member States and employees faced over the past year. The 2020 online edition received many compliments from the OHCHR.

By playing the roles of State delegates, NGOs, and National Human Rights Institutions, participants will gain experience in 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. Participating teams will be assigned different roles, including States under review, the Troika States, reviewing States, and Civil Society Organisations, and will interact within the UPR Working Group and the sessions of the Human Rights Council. During the simulation, participants will analyse the human rights performance of the concerned States, take part in the interactive debate, and adopt the final lists of accepted and noted recommendations.

Are you interested in human rights? Do you wish to improve your debating skills or experience what working for the UN is like? If so, the Padova Model UPR is your chance!

The event will be held from 23-26 November 2021, with NO fees for participation! Participation will be online only.

Padova Model UPR 2021, Words of Mr Gianni Magazzeni from OHCHR UPR Branch (April 2021)

Watch the full playlist of the simulation

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 students and PhD students, preferably in the fields of Political Sciences, Human Rights, International Relations, Social Sciences or Legal Studies;

What are you waiting for? Participation is open both to teams and individual players.
Note: In order to balance the workload during the simulation, participants applying individually will be paired up with other participants. We, therefore, encourage students to form a team already beforehand and to apply as such.

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 up to 2 more members as researchers (optional, and their participation may be remote during the simulation days)
- States represented for the 2021 Padova Model UPR are listed as follows:

Pakistan,
India,
Morocco,
the United Kingdom,
South Africa,
and Argentina.

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 (optional, and their participation may be remote during the simulation days)
- International NGOs represented at the 2021 Padova Model UPR are listed as follows:

Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization,
Freedom House, Save the Children,
Center for Reproductive Rights,
Greenpeace,
and Oxfam.

- 6 Teams representing NHRIs – each team with 1 member as NHRI representative and 1 member as researcher (optional, and their participation may be remote during the simulation days)
- NHRIs will correspond with represented States listed above.

Application: The application for Padova Model UPR 2021 is closed.

Outline of the main phases

1) Preparatory phase: October-November 2021

4.10: Announcement of selected participants and disclosure of information regarding which State, NGO or NHRI they will represent.

9.10-23.11: Training and Assignments before the simulation.

14.10 Afternoon: Welcome Meeting; Special Event: Representative from UPR Info present the UPR Process in practice.
15.10 Afternoon: Training session 1 General information and first assignment; Special Event: Ms Katharine Weatherhead - Senior Associate - Equality and Human Rights Commission (NHRI Great Britain) - Insights from the UPR in practice.
21.10 Afternoon: Training Session 2: Special events and Reports; Special Event: Ms. Emilie Thage - Legal Adviser - The Danish Institute for Human Rights (NHRI Denmark) - Insights from the UPR in practice.
12.11 Afternoon: Training Session 3: Gameplay & Lobby.
16.11 2 - 3 pm (CET): Special Event: Ms. Nazhat Shameem Khan – President of Human Rights Council - UPR in practice

2) Simulation phase: 23-26 November 2021 (Online)

23.11 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm (CET): Pre-session.

24.11 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (CET): Working Group session.

26.11 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (CET): Human Rights Council Plenary Session Item 6, Awards & Closing Ceremony.

Awards:

The Best State Under Review: The team playing the role of the State delegation of the United Kingdom from the University of Padova: Francesca Bauleo, Giulia Busellato, Lauren Elizabeth Nichol Purkiss, Nathalia Andrea Grijlba Robles, Paola Comoretto

The Best Recommending State: The team playing the role of the State delegation of South Africa from the University of Graz: Hanna Krenn, Katharina Freller, Florentina Raith, Anita Islam, Shengjile Imbraimi.

The Best NHRI Delegation: The team playing the role of the representatives of the South African Human Rights Commission from the University of Graz: Lea Kammler and Jennifer Möhrke.

The Best NGO Delegation: The team playing the role of the representatives of the Save the Children from the University of Padova: Luiza Sartori Costa, Maria Fernanda Bertanha Giusti.

The Best Performing Team According to the Participants: The team playing the role of the State delegation of South Africa from the University of Graz: Hanna Krenn, Katharina Freller, Florentina Raith, Anita Islam, Shengjile Imbraimi. (28.3%)

COVID-19 NOTE:

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 Padova Model UPR will be conducted fully online.

Contact: model.upr@unipd-centrodirittiumani.it