HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA School of Governance, Berlin
New Master of Governance and Human Rights
Deadline for application: 15 February 2014

The HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA School of Governance is an institution built upon diverse foundations: it conducts applied research and offers a practically oriented Master of Public Policy degree, while, in acting as a forum, brings people together who collectively address the challenges posed by society today. It is an independent and critical actor, who contributes, becomes involved and, ultimately, effects change. It measures actions against actual outcomes, not only relying upon abstract, theoretical standards.

The HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA School of Governance offers a new Master of Governance and Human Rights.

Why Good Governance and Human Rights?
The program’s focus is based on the premise that good governance and human rights are mutually reinforcing. Yet, the translation and integration of concepts and theories into practical strategies is largely missing in most applied projects or policies. Good governance principles such as accountability, transparency and participation have to be better linked to human rights norms and Standards. Conversely, the realization and implementation of human rights depends on the adherence to good governance principles. The program further includes and reflects on the role of new governance actors in the field that impact the realization of human rights, such as multinational companies, civil society and international organizations.

The Master of Governance and Human Rights at a glance:
• The Master of Governance and Human Rights is a two-year distance learning online and part-time on-campus international Master program.
• The professional degree program will be taught in English, aiming to empower students and young professionals to understand and reflect the theoretical meaning and practical application of Governance in and through Human Rights.
• The program addresses young professionals with a university degree, first work experience and a project idea which they seek to realize.

The Master combines theory and practice. Enrolled students will benefit from the extended professional network of the HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA School of Governance with the public and private sector, academia and civil society, throughout their studies. In seven modules, the students will learn to analyze and understand legal and political theories of governance and their interlinkage with the international and regional human rights regimes.

Project-based learning is of central importance for the program. The students will learn to conceptualize and contribute to social change and acquire the design and communication skills to adapt theoretical approaches to governance and human rights to their professional working environment, e.g. as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) or sustainable development policies. They will be taught and supervised by outstanding and renowned international human rights academics, practitioners and experienced project coaches.

The Master of Governance and Human Rights is planned to start in spring 2014. Please find further information regarding funding and scholarships here.