Winter school for the PhD Programme in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance, Tangaza University and University of Padova, 11-18 January 2026

The Winter school in Kenya, organised in collaboration with our joint partner Tangaza University, takes place from 11 to 18 of January 2026. Students of PhD Programme in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance will spend an immersive week researching a variety of topics, including environmental conflicts, indigenous rights, women human rights defenders and social inclusion, adopting a human rights perspective and approach to exchange ideas on their research topics. The program includes meetings with UNEP and UNESCO experts, members of civil society such as the International Peace Brigades, and representatives from the Naibosho and Nashulai conservancies to explore issues related to Maasai conflicts.

The aim of this experience is threefold:

• to shape identity and build community among fellow scholars;
• to provide students with valuable insights into the global challenges posed by conflicts between divergent local and global interests through experiential learning; and
• to enhance international academic collaboration, laying the groundwork for future careers.

As part of the doctoral programme's educational offering, the 6 ECTS Winter School is organised alternately in Italy or Kenya. Fully funded by the Centre for Human Rights (as a result of the competitive call “Shaping a World Class University”), this programme currently offers the opportunity PhD students from the 39th and 40th cycles to complete the mandatory three-month period abroad, including one month at the partner university, for research and learning activities. 

Programme 

11 January 
Meet-up in Nairobi

12 January 
Postgraduate Research Methods and Publishing Workshop 

8.00-8.45 am Registration
8.45-9.30am  Formal Workshop Opening 
Introductions 
Welcome Remarks 
Dr. S.O. Akoth, Director of Postgraduate  
Prof. Alberto Lanzavecchia, PhD Program in Human Rights, Society and Multi-level Governance
Remarks by Special Guests of Honor: 
Dr. Daniel M. Kitonga, the DVC Academics, Research and Student Affairs

9.30-10.00am Keynote Lecture: Dr. S.O Akoth (Tangaza University, Nairobi)  “Critical Research Methods for Making Sense of Social Transformation in Africa”

10.00-10.30am
Group Photo and Tea Break

10.30-1.30pm
Thematic Working Groups:

• Eco Social Justice, Chair: Anna Romanovych
• Sustainability, Chair: Susan Mwangi
• Peace and War, Chair: Abdiweli Mohamed Hussein
• Inclusion, Chair: Barbara Rinaldi
• Human Rights and Law, Chair: Samuel Kimeu

1.30-2.30pm
Lunch

2.30pm-3:15pm
Session 2
Theme presentation and conversation with Prof. Alberto Lanzavecchia - Strategies for Overcoming Hurdles to Coherent Scholarly Writing and High-Quality Publications

3:15pm-4:00pm
Open Plenary

4.00-5.00pm
Closing Ceremony 
Dr. Fr. Henry Tucholski, Director, Institute of Youth Studies, TU

4.30-5.30pm
Networking and Tea Break

For online attendance, please use this Registration link
 

13 January 
Morning 
Lake Turkana current situation - UNESCO endangered site
Nairobi, Meeting with UNESCO Headquarters (t.b.c.) 

Afternoon
Visit at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi 

14 January 
Visit to Kisaju, Kajiado, Tangaza farm field trip. Agroecology and international cooperation as partner of the L’Osteria Volante ETS in implementing the project “KMKU - Kisaju Maji Kwa Ustahimilivu” (funded by Regione del Veneto Decreto n. 37 del 15/04/2025) targeting SDG 6.a, 13.1 and ultimately SDG 2.3.

15 - 16 January 
Indigenous rights and Maasai conflict issues
Meetings with Naibosho and Nashulai conservancies. Impact of national parks and protected areas on the Maasai people: how these protected areas have disrupted traditional pastoralism and the transhumant lifestyle of the Maasai through displacement from the land, grazing restrictions and cultural commodification. The purpose of the field visit is to evaluate sustainable tourism initiatives that respect Maasai culture, guided by frameworks such as the Larrakia Declaration (Riboldi & Lanzavecchia, 2025).

17 January 
Return to Nairobi and restitution meeting