The protection of cultural heritage is a critical component within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, as reported under Goal 11 through which countries have pledged to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” In particular, Target 11.4 of Goal 11 aims to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
Over the years, the number of international crimes related to the looting and trafficking of cultural heritage property has significantly grown. Moreover, their links to international criminal activity, including the use of assets to finance terrorist activities, are becoming more evident year by year.
The concern of the international community on this matter is also demonstrated by the adoption in the past decades of diverse conventions providing guidance to Member States on the protection and recovery of their cultural assets. As embodied in the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972, the United Nations seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
In this context, as the UN Institute mandated with crime prevention and the administration of criminal justice, UNICRI supports Member States to enhance their capacities in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting all forms of crimes concerning legal and illegal trafficking of cultural heritage.
“Cultural property speaks a universal language. It educates people and depicts their values and beliefs. […] Cultural rights are human rights, and having access to their priceless antiquities is a right of every people. They cannot and should not be considered commodities to trade for profit on illicit or licit markets”, said UNICRI Director Antonia Marie De Meo during the Ceremony for the Repatriation of Libyan Cultural Artifacts in 2022, a project in which UNICRI has assisted authorities in identifying a broad range of Libyan assets located abroad, including cultural assets, with an estimated value of 54 billion US dollars.

With these considerations in mind, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in cooperation with The American University of Rome (AUR), is organizing the fourth edition of the Specialized Course on Cultural Heritage, Crime and Security – Protecting our Past to Invest in our Future, which will be delivered from 11 to 15 March 2024.
The course will provide participants with a fundamental understanding of heritage crime and how heritage organisations, law enforcement bodies and judicial systems are responding to the issue.

The course curriculum is likely to include the following topics:

• Legal frameworks to protect of cultural property
• Conflict and decolonization – the legacy of empire
• Understanding criminal trafficking networks and countering looting
• Armed conflict and the role of the military in protecting cultural heritage
• Protecting museums and heritage sites

The Specialized Course offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through live webinars, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty is composed of leading scholars and academics from AUR and other universities, as well as international legal experts from the United Nations system, international and non-governmental organizations, and civil society.
Whether one attends the course in person at the AUR’s beautiful premises in the centre of Rome (Italy), or through a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts and peers from all over the world and build lasting professional relationships. This experience aims to foster intercultural dialogue and to promote a deeper understanding of the most important and emerging issues faced by the international community in relation to cultural heritage, crime, and security.

1. Entry requirements

The course, organized by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in cooperation with The American University of Rome (AUR), is designed for university graduates in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Science, Cultural Heritage, Museum Studies, Archaeology, and other relevant disciplines. It is also suitable for professionals working in governmental institutions, local authorities, international and non-governmental organizations, museums, heritage sites and cultural institutions seeking to deepen their understanding of the most salient issues faced by the international community in relation to cultural heritage, crime, and security.

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Hold a three-year university degree from an internationally recognized university in one of the mentioned areas.
• Have a strong command of the English language.

Applications from students expecting to graduate at the end of the 2023/24 academic year will also be considered.

2. Course Methodology

The Specialized Course adopts a hybrid model of learning, which allows participants to attend lectures either in person or virtually through their own device, so as to adjust to individual needs.
Classes will be delivered live for participants on-site and will be streamed for those connected remotely. Special attention will be devoted to ensuring synchronous and seamless interaction with and amongst instructors and participants, both online and in class.
The class schedule may be subject to change for additional activities, which will be communicated before the course begins. Absences resulting from inadequate planning will not be considered justified. Participants who do not complete the course will not be entitled to the certificate award, refunds, or reductions in registration fees.

In-person modality

Classes take place at AUR Campus in Rome (Italy) from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST.

Online modality
Classes will be streamed via a dedicated online platform from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST from Monday to Friday. Online participants are expected to adjust their schedules to fully participate in the classes irrespective of the time zones they are in.
Participants need a computer (recommended) or a mobile device with audio and video capabilities, a headset with a microphone to connect to the audio through the computer or mobile device, as well as a reliable internet connection. We recommend accessing audio through the computer. No special software is required. Upon acceptance to the course, participants will be provided with the information to access the platform.

3. Certificate of participation

Upon completion of the entire Specialized Course programme, participants will receive a certificate of participation jointly issued by the United Nations and The American University of Rome. The Organizers retain the discretion to consider severe reasons for absences when issuing the certificate.

4. Contacts

Email: unicri.courses@un.org (please indicate “Cultural Heritage” in the subject of the email).

Tel: (+39) 06 6789.907

How to register

How to apply

The selection is carried out on a rolling basis.

• Application deadline: please complete and send the application form - and a scanned copy of your valid passport – to unicri.courses@un.org by 26 February 2024.
• Confirmation of acceptance: the results of the selection process will be communicated via e-mail, within 1 week following receipt of the application.
• Payment deadline: full payment must be finalized within 1 week following confirmation of acceptance (i.e., candidates should provide UNICRI with proof of payment via E-mail to unicri.courses@un.org).

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM 2024

Applicants requiring a VISA (IMPORTANT)

Applicants requiring a visa are advised to submit an early application (preferably by 15 January 2024) and notify the Administrative Office of this circumstance. The visa shall be issued by the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities in the countries of nationality or residence of participants or the relevant Visa Application Center.
Please consider that booking an appointment with the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities or the Visa Application Center may take up to 3 months, and issuing a visa takes approximately 30 days. Neither UNICRI nor AUR can be held accountable in case of visa refusal.

International migration and mobility are growing global phenomena, increasingly involving mixed migration flows and triggering new challenges in the areas of security and human rights, to name just a few.

Analysing migration as a crosscutting topic and considering the perspectives of both migrants and States, along with other fundamental actors in the global governance system, are crucial steps in developing and implementing national migration and asylum policies that comply with international human rights, humanitarian standards, and labour protection policies.

As reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), global displacement grew by 21 per cent in 2022, reaching 108.4 million people by the end of the year due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. More than 1 in 74 people worldwide remained forcibly displaced, with almost 90 per cent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Among those forcibly displaced, internally displaced persons (IDPs) numbered over 62.5 million in 2022, and refugees numbered over 35.3 million. In 2022, 54% of all forms of internal displacement were caused by disasters.

Although numerous international legal instruments are in place to ensure the protection of human rights for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and trafficking victims, violations frequently occur. Despite the potentially significant benefits of migration, irregular and low-skilled economic migrants, smuggled migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and victims of trafficking remain among the most vulnerable members of our society. They are exposed to discrimination, abuse, and exploitation by various actors, including transnational organized crime networks and terrorist organizations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes, in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10, Target 7, a pledge by United Nations’ Member States to “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.” Moreover, the adoption of two Global Compacts in 2018, respectively, on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and on Refugees, is a clear indicator of the relevance of international migration in the global governance system.

With these considerations in mind, UNICRI, in cooperation with John Cabot University (JCU), will deliver the ninth edition of the Summer School on Migration and Human Rights, a one-week course shedding light on current issues related to international migration. Participants will gain insights into a variety of concepts and topics and actively engage in discussing matters related, amongst others issues, to:

• International human rights, humanitarian, migration, anti-trafficking, and asylum laws
• The rights of asylum seekers and refugees under international and European law
• The rights of asylum seekers and migrants under the European Convention on Human Rights and in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights
• Internally displaced persons
• Irregular migration: balancing human rights and security
• Irregular migration by sea
• Migration and rural development
• Migrant protection and assistance
• Right to health for migrants and refugees
• Migration and the challenge of religious pluralism
• Protection of migrant children
• Migration, development, and integration
• Global displacement

The Summer School offers a comprehensive exploration of professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through theoretical lectures, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty of the Summer School comprises leading scholars and academics from John Cabot University and other universities, along with representatives from the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and civil society.

By attending the course in person at JCU’s beautiful campuses in the heart of Rome, participants will have the unique opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts and peers from around the world, exchange views and opinions and build lasting professional relationships. This experience promotes intercultural dialogue and deepens understanding of some of the world’s most complex and debated issues.

1. Entry requirements

The course is designed for university graduates in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Science, and other relevant disciplines. It is also suitable for young professionals working in governmental institutions, local authorities, international and non-governmental organizations, seeking to deepen their understanding of current human rights issues affecting migrants. Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Hold a three-year university degree from an internationally recognized university in one of the mentioned areas; and
• Have a strong command of the English language.

Applications from students expecting to graduate at the end of the 2023/24 academic year will also be considered.

2. Course methodology

Classes take place at John Cabot University Campus in Rome (Italy), Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CEST. The class schedule may be subject to change for additional activities, which will be communicated before the course begins.

Absences resulting from inadequate planning will not be considered justified. Participants will not be entitled to the certificate award, refunds, or reductions in registration fees.

3. Certificate of participation

Upon completion of the entire Summer School programme, participants will receive a certificate of participation jointly issued by the United Nations and John Cabot University. The Organizers retain the discretion to consider severe reasons for absences when issuing the certificate.

4. Contacts

Email: unicri.courses@un.org (please indicate “Migration” in the subject of the email)

Tel: (+39) 06 6789 907

How to register

How to apply

The selection is carried out on a rolling basis.

• Application deadline: please complete and send the application form - and a scanned copy of your valid passport - to unicri.courses@un.org by 25 June 2024.
• Confirmation of acceptance: the results of the selection process will be communicated via e-mail within 1 week following receipt of the application.
• Payment deadline: full payment has to be finalized within 1 week following confirmation of acceptance (i.e. candidates should provide UNICRI with proof of payment via e-mail to unicri.courses@un.org).

Download the Application form

AP MHR 2024.doc

Applicants requiring a VISA (IMPORTANT)

Those applicants requiring a visa are suggested to submit an early application (preferably by 31 March 2024) and notify the Summer School’s Administrative Office of this circumstance. The visa shall be issued by the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities in the countries of nationality or residence of participants or the Visa Application Center.

Please consider that booking an appointment with the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities or the Visa Application Center may take up to 3 months and issuing a visa takes approximately 30 days. Neither UNICRI nor JCU can be held accountable in case of visa refusal.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available as follows:

Double/Triple room– 8-night accommodation at the John Cabot University Housing facility.

Check-in and check-out:

• Check-in: Friday, 5 July 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Check-out: Saturday, 13 July 2024 by 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Check-in outside of the designated time frame is not permitted. Check-in on Saturday and Sunday is not allowed. Exceptionally, check-in on Saturday will be allowed only upon request and approval. Please refrain from purchasing any flight/train ticket before receiving approval from the Summer School Administrative Office.

Check-out outside the designated time frame is not permitted, and there is no option to extend the stay at the end of the programme.

Accommodation fees

• 250 Euro per person

Prices are for double/triple rooms in shared apartments. All costs must be paid in advance upon online registration (further details on the registration process will be provided by the Organizers via email upon acceptance to the Summer Course).

Cancellation and refund policy: please note that a refund of accommodation fees is only granted to participants who submit a request to the JCU Housing Office by 15 June 2024. In the event of a participant cancellation after 15 June 2024, for any reason, including visa denial and health issues, accommodation fees will not be refunded.

Accommodation Deadlines

Application deadline: 15 May 2024

Payment deadline: 1 June 2024

In recent decades, rapid technological advancements have drastically altered how individuals connect, communicate, and access information. News and knowledge may now travel across the globe in a matter of seconds. While these digital and communicational innovations have sprung several new opportunities to organize, educate, and enlighten the international community, still these significant changes have also had unfavourable effects that we are only now beginning to address, such as the significantly increased rate at which false information, misleading information, and even hate speech propagate.

The international community as a whole is now faced with difficult geopolitical problems raised by disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech. People's vulnerability and risk exposure may be exacerbated by misinformation and disinformation. Likewise, hate speech puts the safety and dignity of individuals and groups at risk, either directly or indirectly. As an example, online hate speech that incites violence against a minority can cause psychological and social harm through intimidation, slander, and harassment.

The UN General Assembly has expressed concern over the proliferation of these phenomena and has welcomed the efforts of the Secretary-General to promote international cooperation in countering disinformation through his report: Countering disinformation for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Moreover, in July 2021, the same UN entity highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”, proclaiming 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. These new issues are altering how societies deal with democracy as well as how and when violence manifests itself.

With these considerations in mind, UNICRI and the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI) are launching the second edition of the Summer School on Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech, which will be delivered from 1 to 5 July 2024.

The course is intended for university and post-graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, media and other professionals, including United Nations (UN) personnel, as well as anyone interested in gaining an understanding of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech, how they manifest themselves and what tools are available to combat them.

Special focus will be given to various dimensions of hate speech and fake news, including the contemporary challenges linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and the role of social media in war and political propaganda campaigns. The existing international legal and policy frameworks will be examined with a view to improving participants’ ability to address the issue in a comprehensive way and promote their role as advocates for an effective change in public policies, strategies, and practices. More specifically, the curriculum of the course may focus on:

• The difference between disinformation and misinformation & the different types of disinformation and misinformation.
• The difference between hate speech and freedom of expression.
• An overview of the international legal framework and human rights standards used to counter hate speech and disinformation.
• The role of fake news in fuelling hate speech and the link between fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
• Hate speech and misinformation in pandemics: anti-scientific propaganda during the Covid-19 crisis.
• The role of social media hate and disinformation in war and political propaganda campaigns.
• The role of AI in disinformation.
• Tools to monitor and respond to misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech – including the role of media.
• Proposing a counternarrative to hate speech – Debunking as a method of uncovering hate speech, disinformation, misinformation, and fake news.

The Summer School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through live webinars, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty is composed of expert scholars and academics from leading universities, representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and the civil society.

Whether attending the course in person at the SIOI’s beautiful premises in the centre of Rome (Italy), or through a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with international recognized experts and peers from all over the world, to exchange view and opinions and build lasting professional relationships. This experience fosters intercultural dialogue and promotes a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most complex and debated issues.

1. Entry requirements

The course is intended for university and post-graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, media and other professionals, including United Nations (UN) personnel, as well as anyone interested in gaining an understanding of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech; how they manifest themselves and what tools are available to combat them.

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Hold a three-year university degree from an internationally recognized university in one of the mentioned areas.
• Have a strong command of the English language.

Applications from students expecting to graduate at the end of the 2023/24 academic year will also be considered.

2. Course methodology

The Summer School adopts a hybrid model of learning, which allows participants to attend lectures either in person or virtually through their own device, so as to adjust to individual needs.

Classes will be delivered live for those participants on-site and will be streamed for those connected remotely. Special attention will be devoted to ensuring synchronous and seamless interaction with and amongst instructors and participants, both online and in class.

The class schedule may be subject to change for additional activities, which will be communicated before the course begins. Absences resulting from inadequate planning will not be considered justified. Participants who do not complete the course will not be entitled to the certificate award, refunds, or reductions in registration fees.

In-person modality

Classes take place at SIOI in Rome (Italy) from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST.

Online modality

Classes will be streamed via a dedicated online platform from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST from Monday to Friday. Online participants are expected to adjust their schedules to fully participate in the classes irrespective of the time zones they are in.

Participants need a computer (recommended) or a mobile device with audio and video capabilities, a headset with a microphone to connect to the audio through the computer or mobile device, as well as a reliable internet connection. We recommend accessing audio through the computer. No special software is required. Upon acceptance to the course, participants will be provided with the information to access the platform.

3. Certificate of participation

Upon completion of the entire Summer School programme, participants will receive a certificate of participation jointly released by the United Nations and SIOI. The Organizers retain the discretion to consider severe reasons for absences when issuing the certificate.

4. Contacts

Email: unicri.courses@un.org – formint@sioi.org (please indicate “Disinformation and Hate Speech” in the subject of the email)

UNICRI: +39 06 6789 907 | SIOI: +39 06 6920781

How to register

How to apply

The selection is carried out on a rolling basis.

• Application deadline: please complete and send the application form - and a scanned copy of your valid passport - to unicri.courses@un.org and formint@sioi.org by 20 June 2024
• Confirmation of acceptance: the results of the selection process will be communicated via e-mail within 1 week following receipt of the application.
• Payment deadline: full payment has to be finalized within 1 week following confirmation of acceptance (i.e. candidates should provide UNICRI and SIOI with proof of payment via e-mail to unicri.courses@un.org and formint@sioi.org).

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM 2024

Applicants requiring a VISA (IMPORTANT)

Applicants requiring a visa are advised to submit an early application (preferably by 31 March 2024) and notify the Administrative Office of this circumstance. The visa shall be issued by the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities in the countries of nationality or residence of participants or the relevant Visa Application Center.

Please consider that booking an appointment with the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities or the Visa Application Center may take up to 3 months and issuing a visa takes approximately 30 days. Neither UNICRI nor SIOI can be held accountable in case of visa refusal.