The MA programme in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance is a contribution to developing a universal culture of human rights such as highlighted by Unesco and the United Nations. Accordingly, it has a strong policy- and action-oriented approach. This master's degree is in full continuity with previous post-graduate programmes in human rights, taught in Italian, that the University of Padua has been delivering since 1988.
The MA is aims at developing ad-hoc knowledge and skills to promote and fulfil human rights within the broader context of legal and political processes and multi-level policies. Human rights law, multi-level governance framework, and the concepts of “human development” and “human security” are the paradigm of reference throughout the course.
The multi-level approach makes it possible to combine international trends analysis and an in-depth study of local policies. The course's research and lecturing activities reflect the transnational and transcultural dimensions of human rights studies.
Courses, in English, are in seminar form and promote the active participation of students in class. Internships in qualified agencies, and supervised research are encouraged. The programme includes special modules with the participation of practitioners of European and international organisations and academic institution. The course encourages study experiences abroad financed under student mobility programmes and bilateral agreements. Up to five students of the Master's degree may obtain a double degree in international relations spending the second year of the course at the Polish University of Wroclaw.
The course promotes extra-curricular education opportunities in cooperation with the Human Rights Centre of the Padova University and other non-academic institutions and bodies. Such initiatives include a study trip to United Nations and European Human Rights bodies.
The Programme assists students to find suitable internship opportunities with qualified governmental and nongovernmental institutions, in Italy and abroad.
The MA is aimed at training specialised operators for qualified positions in the field of multi-level governance connected to the implementation of human rights.
Job positions suitable for MA graduates are, among others: human rights officer in international organisations and agencies, in the diplomatic service, and in the local and national public sector; officer in ombudsperson and national institutions for human rights structures; expert staff in electoral observation and human rights monitoring missions; programme and field officer of humanitarian aid, democratic institution-building, and technical assistance units; expert staff in any governmental or non-governmental structure implementing public policies on human rights, equal opportunities, non-discrimination, women's and persons with disabilities' rights; project manager of non-governmental organisations' specialised units; expert staff of intercultural mediation agencies; officer in social and consumers' rights advocacy agencies; expert staff of ethical committees; expert personnel of social responsibility units and international relations departments of corporate organisations; journalist and expert in the media sector; staff in research and planning structures of trade unions, political parties, non-profit organisations.
The University of Padova, the Veneto Region and other organisations offer various scholarship schemes to support students. Below is a list of the funding opportunities that are most often used by international students in Padova.
You can find more information below and on our website here: http://www.unipd.it/en/studying-padova/funding-and-fees/scholarships
You can find more information on fee waivers here: http://www.unipd.it/en/fee-waivers
