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EU Research and Training in International Criminal Law – PhD students and other academic researchers Project Overview The last decade has seen a breakthrough in the development of the body of law concerning the adjudication of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. After the establishment of the Yugoslavia and Ruanda Tribunals in the 1990’s, the Statute of the International Criminal Court entered into force on 1 July 2002. These examples have led to the establishment of other tribunals, both national and internationalized courts. The basis of this part of international criminal law is a combination of many old law families and traditions. This 4-year project, carried out by the Grotius Centre and financed by the EU and the Leiden University Fund (LUF), aims at training young researchers on the scientific discipline of this part of international criminal law. The project offers young and talented academics to pursue part of their research in The Hague, to deepen their knowledge, to exchange ideas and to build a network. The project consists of Top Summer Schools, Research Courses, and bi-annual Network Conferences. The various events include academics and practitioners with international reputations of relevant disciplines of law, which will guarantee broad knowledge and experience on eminent issues within international criminal law. This training provides the selected young top researchers a distinct advantage over researchers pursuing standard single discipline education. Training environment The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies is part of the Faculty of Law of Leiden University, the oldest university of The Netherlands and one of the most renowned academic institutions on International Law in the world. The Hague was chosen as residence of the Grotius Centre because it is universally regarded as the "Legal Capital of the World" and the cradle of International Criminal law. Its location is unequalled in the world for international legal studies and Supranational Criminal Law studies in particular. Specifically important for this project is the fact that the Grotius Centre has extensive experience training students and practitioners of all law families and law traditions from all over the world. Programme of events Within this project the Grotius Centre to organises a 4-year programme, with each year: - a Top Summer School (12 days training course) - two Research Courses (1 x 10 days; 1 x 5 days) - a Network Conference (every two years) Leading academic researchers, prominent diplomats and other renowned practitioners will provide the training and tutoring. Researchers will have opportunities to network prior, during or following an event. The Grotius Centre will organise social events with practitioners in the field of supranational criminal law and visits to the courts and tribunals in The Hague. Top Summer School The annual Top Summer Schools are designed for excellent young researchers of international law. It will cover all main topics of the international criminal law system on three distinctive areas: substantive criminal law, procedural law as well as matters of legal policy. Focus is placed on the dissemination of knowledge of research in this field. An interactive design is chosen: participants are invited and expected to actively contribute to the discussions. In order to promote the optimum learning environment, a maximum of 30 young researchers are selected per Summer School. More info... Research Courses The Research Courses are designed for young, promising top researchers with excellent achievements in their international law studies and/or research. Our focus is placed on teaching effective and comprehensive research skills. The researchers will perform collective research, exchange ideas and practice complementary skills (e.g. research ethics, dissemination of research results). To maximise the impact of these events, the Grotius Centre will apply strict selection criteria. Each year a group of 12 young researchers is selected that will participate in both Research Courses held within that academic year. Each Research Course will deal with issues that are topical at the moment of the training. Apart from lectures and discussions on specific topical subjects, the Research Courses contain the following important elements: 1. Discussion platform. Organizing a high level discussion platform, inviting a number of top experts from around the world on the selected subject. 2. Writing articles. Writing a paper on a relevant subject for the Research Course. The writers of the 3 best papers will be invited as guest speakers at the next Top Summer School. 3. Virtual Training. The internet communication tool of Leiden University will be applied to provide information, to enable communication between teacher and participants and to create a discussion forum for participants. Network Conference Each second year a Network Conference will be organised by the Grotius Centre. The Network conferences will support the growing network of event participants of Research Courses, Top Summer School and experts working in the field. Financial contribution No tuition fee will be charged to the selected young researchers for their participation in the Top Summer School and the Network Conference. More information on fees for the Resource Course will be available soon. Contributions from the EU and Leiden University Fund (LUF) will cover most of the travel expenses.
Information, selection criteria and applications Contact: Ms. Christine Tremblay (LL.M) General Coordinator of the Grotius Centre (ctremblay@campusdenhaag.nl) Tel: + 00 31 70310 8606 The programme provides opportunities for young researchers who are currently working on their PhDs, or who have finished their PhDs up to a maximum of three years prior to joining the project. Special care will be taken to ensure each event is attended by a balanced international group of young researcher of different cultures, backgrounds and gender. The Top Summer School are open to law researchers with an interest in International Criminal Law. Only the most promising young researchers are invited to the Research Course. Candidates will be selected on the basis of their affinity with the subject matter, written recommendations from at least two supervisors, their academic publications and their motivation for participating in the project. |