The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (hereinafter “RWI”), in Lund, Sweden, and its partner universities (Africa University, Ezekiel Guti University, Great Zimbabwe University, Midlands State University and University of Zimbabwe) under the Zimbabwe Human Rights Capacity Development Programme 2019–2022 are launching a call for applications to attend the Summer School on Human Rights at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University in Bindura, Zimbabwe and University of Zimbabwe in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Each partner institution will select four students to attend the Summer School. The Summer School will have a three (3) weeks online module that will start on 30 May, and a face-to-face module, that will take place on 11-22 July 2022. Financial support for the participation at the later module is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The application deadline for Swedish students is 5 May 2022.
Scope and Content of the Summer School
The Summer School will be taught by professors and lecturers with leading expertise in the field of human rights from the partner universities. The Summer School will impart students with foundational human rights knowledge by way of lectures and seminars on, but not limited to, the following topics:
- the philosophical and historical origins of human rights,
- international human rights law,
- the regional human rights system in Africa,
- selected rights under international human rights law (and their related conventions), and
- human rights in the Zimbabwean context.
A debate competition will be held at the conclusion of the Summer School. The language of instruction is English. The Summer School will also provide to Swedish students the unique opportunity to experience the university life in Zimbabwe, sharing with local students not only academic activities related to the program, but also the cultural and social life of the university campus. In fact, the program will include cultural activities that will put students in contact with Zimbabwean traditional practices and places.
Eligibility for Swedish Students
Students enrolled in the Law Programme (juristprogrammet) and attending semesters three to six at the Faculty of Law at Lund University are eligible to apply. Also eligible to apply are students enrolled in and attending the Bachelor Programme in Human Rights Studies at Lund University. RWI promotes equal opportunities and welcomes applications from eligible students regardless of sex/gender, disability, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, or any other status.
Covered Costs
RWI will cover the costs of travel, accommodation and meals for all students attending the Summer School. In addition, each student will receive a small study grant to cover other expenditures. Financial support for the Summer School is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Application Procedure
Please e-mail the following documents by 5 May 2022 to Moreblessing Mbire (moreblessing.mbire@rwi.lu.se):
- upto-date curriculum vitae (CV) – name and contact details, education (please provide here, in addition to other details, what semester of the Law Programme (juristprogrammet) or the Bachelor Programme in Human Rights Studies you are enrolled in and attending), work and volunteer experience, other skills, etc., and
- motivation letter (400–600 words) – A personal statement explaining your interest in human rights, why you wish to attend the Summer School, and what you hope to achieve through this initiative.
An email confirmation that your application has been received will be sent to all applicants. If you have not received said confirmation within one or two business days please resend your application until a confirmation is received.
Evaluation of Applications
All applications will be evaluated by a selection committee comprised of RWI staff having relevant human rights and contextual expertise. The following factors will be taken into consideration when evaluating applications:
- eligibility, and
- quality of the curriculum vitae and letter of motivation.
Timeline
- Application deadline for Swedish students: 5 May 2022
- Notification to applicants of the Selection Committee’s decision: on or before 10 May 2022
- Dates for online module: 30 May – 17 June 2022
- Dates for Summer School: 11-22 July 2022