Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University, Turku/Åbo, Finland
Advanced course on law, development and human rights
17 - 21 August 2015
Deadline for application: 3 May 2015  

This one-week intensive course on law, development and human rights offers participants an opportunity to acquire specialist-level knowledge in the field of human rights and development. It offers critical examinations of the conceptual and practical role of the international human rights law frame work in development.

The aim is to study:
• A human rights perspective to development
• Different development actors
• Links between human rights law and other parallel legal fields relevant for development
• Contextualising and localising human rights law
• The role of law in development

Particular attention will be paid to the position of the individual at the centre of development efforts.

Course programme and faculty
• Sisay Alemahu Yeshanew, PhD, Post-Doc Researcher,  Institute of Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University "Using Law for Development Purposes"
• Koen De Feyter, PhD, Chair of International Law, University of Antwerp "Taking stock: where are we now in human rights and development", "Development through a human rights lens", "Rights-holders - the individual in the center of development", "The local relevance of Human Rights to Disadvantaged Groups in Developing Countries", "States and IGOs as duty-bearers"
• Thoko Kaime, PhD, Lecturer, University of Leicester "Contextuality and participation in interpretation and implementation of human rights", "Legality, legitimacy and overlegalisation"
• Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso, Doctoral Candidate, Institute of Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University "Accountability"
• Elina Pirjatanniemi, LL.D., Armfelt Professor of Constitutional Law and International Law, director of the Institute for Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University "Human Rights, Development and Environmental Law"
• Sirpa Rautio, LL.M., Director of the Human Rights Centre, Finland Panel discussion
• Hans-Otto Sano, PhD, Senior Researcher, The Danish Institute for Human Rights "Impact and Change"
• Alessandra Sarelin, PhD, Post-Doc Researcher, Institute of Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University "Background and history: separate and parallel  tracks of human rights and development"
• Tara Van Ho, PhD, Post-Doc researcher at University of Aarhus, Project Associate at Essex Business & Human Rights Project "Human Rights, Development and Businesses", "Human Rights, Development and Trade & Investment Law", "Human Rights, Development and Conflict"

Panel: "Beyond Development aid? The role of Sates, IGOS/IFIs and businesses in contributing to sustainable and equitable development"
Prof. Elina Pirjatanniemi, Tara van Ho, Sirpa Rautio, Hans-Otto Sano 

How to apply 
Applicants should fill in the application form, include their CV and two separate letters of recommendation in support of their application. 

More information on requirements, costs and scholarships can be found here.