This course can be taken as stand-alone, or as part of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
October
22octAll DayProtection of Internally Displaced Persons (22 Oct–02 Dec, 2025)
This course can be taken as stand-alone, or as part of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
This certificate course introduces learners to the various dimensions of human rights protection as it applies to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The rise of internal conflicts in the last couple of decades, accompanied with natural disasters in many poorest parts of the world, has led to emergence of more than 27 million IDPs today. It is obvious that their particularly vulnerable situation creates deep inroads into their human rights. This course addresses the international legal principles and guidelines for protection of IDPs, and the operational challenges to their protection and durable solutions. The course is designed to provide a contemporary flavour to the topic using recent and emerging crises situations around the world as case examples. The course begins with an overview of the contexts in which IDPs emerge in today’s world, before addressing the international and regional legal frameworks for the protection of their human rights. The institutional dimension of operational responses is then analyzed by understanding and deconstructing the Cluster Approach, as well as the role of UNHCR in the protection of IDPs. The role of civil society as well as gender dimensions of protection of IDPs is then analyzed. Finally, the course looks at the possible durable solutions and contemporary challenges thereto in the context of IDPs.
This e-learning course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor as well as officials of UNHCR.
The course is intended for staff members of NGOs and government agencies advocating for and working on the protection of IDPs, staff of inter-governmental agencies and others interested in these issues. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
Dr. Jan Arno Hessbruegge (Germany) works for the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Over the last 17 years, he has worked as a legal adviser in the High Commissioner’s Executive Office, in OHCHR’s Rule of Law Section and for the U.N. Commissions of Inquiry on Human Rights in Syria and North Korea. He also served in peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Haiti, and worked with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and the Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons. He holds a law degree from the University of Muenster in Germany, a Master of Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, the Diploma Law of the Hague Academy of International Law and a doctorate in international law from European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. He teaches this course in a personal capacity and the views presented are not necessarily those of the U.N.
Dr. Mihir Kanade (India) is the Director of the UPEACE Human Rights Centre and is also the Head of the Department of International Law and Human Rights at UPEACE. His principal area of academic research and study is Human Rights and Globalization, covering several themes within that interface including trade and investment, sustainable development, forced migration, indigenous peoples’ rights, public health, amongst others. He has extensive experience in training staff of inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals, in the field of human rights. He acts as an advisor to several human rights organizations and corporations on issues related to human rights and international law. He is also an adjunct faculty at Universidad Alfonso XI El Sabio (Spain), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and Long Island University (United States). He has a LL.B from Nagpur University (India) and a Masters degree and PhD from UPEACE. Prior to his pursuit in academia, Mihir practiced for six years as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court and in the Supreme Court of India, focusing on issues of fundamental human rights violations. He has also taught several professional certificate online course on the protection of refugees and stateless persons.
For Certificate: Fee for taking this course is USD 600. UPEACE students and almuni enrolling for the Certificate course are entitled to 30% discount on the fee.
For Auditing: It is also possible to audit the course, in which case, participants will not receive a certificate. Auditors, however, will have access to all course material, be able to participate in the synchronous webinar sessions, and be able to monitor the online discussions of participants. The fee for auditing the course is USD 200.
For Certificate and 2 Academic Credits: Participants are also able to take the course for two academic credits offered by UPEACE. The cost of taking the course for 2 academic credits is USD 1100.
To apply, please fill up the enrolment form. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The diploma is limited to 25 participants.
Payments may be made either by credit card or by wire transfer. Payment by wire transfer usually takes three to four business days to be deposited in our account. Payment by credit card is instant.
If you wish to make the payment by credit card, please go to https://upeace.org/payments-hrc/
Payments by wire transfer must be made to the following bank account:
Universidad para la Paz
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bank account number:100-02-099-600195-4
Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ and IBAN: CR57015109910026001958
Avenidas 1 y 3, Calle 4
San José, Costa Rica
October 22, 2025 All Day(GMT-06:00)
29octAll DayGender, Development, and Human Rights (29 Oct–09 Dec, 2025)
Note: This course is also offered
Note: This course is also offered as part of the Professional Development Diploma on Sustainable Development and Human Rights.
This six week specialized online course introduces participants to the gender dimensions of the interface between development and human rights. Social constructions shape our identity, and thus, have critical impact on our daily lives. Diverse gender identities and concepts are taught in formal and informal educational institutions and determine our past, present and future, and may lead to inequality. Gender inequality and inequity then, may lead to human (and women’s) rights violations. This course will give an introduction to the solutions suggested by Gender Mainstreaming to gender inequality in human rights and development work based on the analysis of social constructions and through gender sensitive educational tools. By means of e-conversations and dialogue, the training will combine academic theory with participants’ lived and work experiences. The course will provide participants with the skills to conduct gender analysis in order to ensure gender mainstreaming in human rights and development work. It will also explore mechanisms for human rights sensitive development intervention with a strong focus on gender equality. Finally, the course will explore the intersections between human rights and gender through an analysis of contemporary issues such as gender based violence, trafficking, sex work, contemporary slavery etc, which impede the quest for sustainable development.
The course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor.
The course is intended for staff members of civil society organisations and (inter)governmental organisations involved in the fields of gender equality, women’s rights, LGBTQI rights, development work, human rights, education, health etc. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
Gal Harmat (Israel) is an Assistant Professor in the Gender and Peace Building Masters Programme at UPEACE. Dr. Gal Harmat holds a PhD in Gender Analysis of Peace Education and Dialogue encounters from Nitra University (Slovakia) and a M.A. in Gender and Peacebuilding from the UN-Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. She was a professor in conflict transformation, peace education and gender and Co-Director of the Social Justice and Peace Education Teachers Training Program, Kibbutzim Teachers College in Tel Aviv, Israel. He has also been teaching in the World Peace Academy (University of Basel), the European Peace University (Austria), and the Arts and Social Change College in Israel. As a Gender and Peacebuilding Specialist, she has extensive experience in training, conflict analysis, dialogue facilitation, capacity building, peace education, research, gender empowerment and gender mainstreaming since 1998 in various countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, and West and South East Asia. Her consultancies include intergovernmental organizations (e.g. OSCE, UN Women, UNDP, and the Council of Europe), and various international and regional NGOs (e.g. Non Violent Peace Force, Friends of the Earth Middle East; Peres Centre for Peace).
For Certificate: Fee for taking this course is USD 600. UPEACE students and almuni enrolling for the Certificate course are entitled to 30% discount on the fee.
For Auditing: It is also possible to audit the course, in which case, participants will not receive a certificate. Auditors, however, will have access to all course material, be able to participate in the synchronous webinar sessions, and be able to monitor the online discussions of participants. The fee for auditing the course is USD 200.
For Certificate and 2 Academic Credits: Participants are also able to take the course for two academic credits offered by UPEACE. The cost of taking the course for 2 academic credits is USD 1100.
To apply, please fill up the enrolment form. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The diploma is limited to 25 participants.
Payments may be made either by credit card or by wire transfer. Payment by wire transfer usually takes three to four business days to be deposited in our account. Payment by credit card is instant.
If you wish to make the payment by credit card, please go to https://upeace.org/payments-hrc/
Payments by wire transfer must be made to the following bank account:
Universidad para la Paz
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bank account number:100-02-099-600195-4
Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ and IBAN: CR57015109910026001958
Avenidas 1 y 3, Calle 4
San José, Costa Rica
October 29, 2025 All Day(GMT-06:00)
January
14janAll DayIndigenous Peoples’ Rights and Development (14 January – 24 February, 2026)
Note: This course is also offered as part of the Professional Development Diploma on Sustainable Development and Human
Note: This course is also offered as part of the Professional Development Diploma on Sustainable Development and Human Rights.
This certificate course offered by the Human Rights Center of the University for Peace will introduce participants to the increasingly significant field of indigenous peoples’ rights and looks at the contemporary issues that have paradoxically led to a recognition of those rights on the one hand, while simultaneously challenging their implementation on the other. The course will address the broad spectrum of issues involved in the field of indigenous peoples’ rights, beginning with who qualifies to be “indigenous peoples”, the scope of their right to self-determination, the international and regional legal frameworks for the protection of their rights and the challenges associated therewith, and the debates surrounding the concept of indigenous governance. The course will also look closely into human security and human development issues relating to indigenous peoples, the role of investment, extractive industries and other business corporations in indigenous reservations/areas, and the effect of intellectual property rights on the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. Strong emphasis will be placed throughout the course on case studies from around the world. Participants will explore debates on mainstreaming versus autonomy, participatory governance, scope of ‘free and prior consent’ and the right to development, amongst others.
The course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor.
The course is intended for staff members of civil society organisations and (inter)governmental organisations involved in advocating for indigenous peoples’ rights, academics and others interested in the human rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, as well as for those working in the field of development. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
Dr. Mihir Kanade (India) is Director of the Human Rights Centre of the University for Peace (established by the UN General Assembly). He is the Academic Director of UPEACE and the Head of its Department of International Law. He is also an adjunct faculty at Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio (Spain), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), Long Island University (LIU Global Centre in Costa Rica), and Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia). Dr. Kanade serves as the academic co-coordinator of the LLM programme in Transnational Crime and Justice offered at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, Turin, Italy. He also serves on the International Advisory Board of the International Bar Association on the topic of Business and Human Rights. Dr. Kanade currently serves as an independent expert of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. Dr. Kanade co-leads an e-learning project in partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNU-IIGH for training UN staff and diplomats of permanent missions of States on operationalizing the Right to Development in Implementation of the SDGs. He also chairs the drafting group of international experts appointed by the OHCHR for preparing a legally binding instrument on the right to development. His principal area of academic research and study is the interface between globalization, governance, public international law and human rights, covering several themes including trade, business and investment, sustainable development, forced displacement of people, indigenous peoples’ rights, public health, amongst others. He conducts several trainings for staff of intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals, in the field of international law and human rights. Prior to academia, Dr. Kanade practiced for several years as a lawyer at the Bombay High Court (Nagpur and Bombay benches) and at the Supreme Court of India. He holds a LL.B from Nagpur University (India) and a Master degree and Doctorate from UPEACE. Dr. Kanade also co-led for several years a field course on indigenous peoples’ rights in Costa Rica. He also teaches a course on this topic in the MA programme in International Law at UPEACE.
For Certificate: Fee for taking this course is USD 600. UPEACE students and almuni enrolling for the Certificate course are entitled to 30% discount on the fee.
For Auditing: It is also possible to audit the course, in which case, participants will not receive a certificate. Auditors, however, will have access to all course material, be able to participate in the synchronous webinar sessions, and be able to monitor the online discussions of participants. The fee for auditing the course is USD 200.
For Certificate and 2 Academic Credits: Participants are also able to take the course for two academic credits offered by UPEACE. The cost of taking the course for 2 academic credits is USD 1100.
To apply, please fill up the enrolment form. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The diploma is limited to 25 participants.
Payments may be made either by credit card or by wire transfer. Payment by wire transfer usually takes three to four business days to be deposited in our account. Payment by credit card is instant.
If you wish to make the payment by credit card, please go to https://upeace.org/payments-hrc/
Payments by wire transfer must be made to the following bank account:
Universidad para la Paz
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bank account number:100-02-099-600195-4
Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ and IBAN: CR57015109910026001958
Avenidas 1 y 3, Calle 4
San José, Costa Rica
January 14, 2026 All Day(GMT-06:00)
March
04marAll DayForced Migration and Human Rights (4 March – 14 April, 2026)
This course can be taken as stand-alone, or as part of the
This course can be taken as stand-alone, or as part of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
This course introduces participants to the diverse, yet interlinked, issues related to the trans-boundary movement of people and how this affects human rights. It starts off by exploring the notion of ‘forced migration’, and distinguishing it from various other notions that are used to refer to the phenomenon of trans-boundary movement of people. In particular, it looks at how different people have different access to other states. Is there a right to be allowed into an other state? If so, under what conditions? The course then moves on to look at the specific regimes protecting, in varying degrees, different groups of vulnerable people. First, it gives an overview of the international law of refugee protection. Second, it looks at how human rights apply, or not, in the case of undocumented migrants. Third, it covers the protection of victims of human trafficking and the policies in place against the smuggling of people. Fourth, it considers whether migrants in general are entitled to enjoy specific social rights. Finally, it takes a closer look at the human rights dimension of border control, in particular in cases where people die in their attempts to reach the countries of their destination.
The course is designed both as a stand-alone specialized course on Forced Migration and its human rights linkages, but also as a key course of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
Week One: Defining Forced Migration: Entry, Stay, Expulsion, & Deportation
Week Two: International Refugees
Week Three: Undocumented Migrants
Week Four: Human Trafficking & Smuggling
Week Five: Social Rights of Migrants
Week Six: The Human Costs of Border Control
The course is intended for staff members of civil society organizations and (inter)governmental organizations involved in forced migration and human rights issues, including human trafficking and smuggling, protection of refugees and stateless persons, immigration, protection of internally displaced persons etc. The course is also intended for staff members of (international) development agencies, academics and others interested in the aforesaid areas. (Post)Graduate students with specific research interests in these areas are also encouraged to apply. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
Dr. Juan M. Amaya-Castro, resident Professor of International Law at Universidad de los Andes (Bogota, Colombia) studied international legal studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands, and defended his Ph.D. dissertation (on Human Rights and the Critiques of the Public-Private Distinction) at the Free University of Amsterdam, where he was also a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the field of migration and law. Prior to his current position, he was an Associate Professor at the University for Peace in the International Law Department, where, among other courses, he also taught migration law. He has taught at Utrecht University and at Erasmus University Rotterdam and was a visiting researcher and Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Law School. He has published on various aspects of international law and human rights and is currently also on the Board of Consultants of SUR—Revista Internacional de Derechos Humanos/International Journal on Human Rights and in the Editorial Board of Inter-American & European Human Rights Journal.
For Certificate: Fee for taking this course is USD 600. UPEACE students and almuni enrolling for the Certificate course are entitled to 30% discount on the fee.
For Auditing: It is also possible to audit the course, in which case, participants will not receive a certificate. Auditors, however, will have access to all course material, be able to participate in the synchronous webinar sessions, and be able to monitor the online discussions of participants. The fee for auditing the course is USD 200.
For Certificate and 2 Academic Credits: Participants are also able to take the course for two academic credits offered by UPEACE. The cost of taking the course for 2 academic credits is USD 1100.
To apply, please fill up the enrolment form. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The diploma is limited to 25 participants.
Payments may be made either by credit card or by wire transfer. Payment by wire transfer usually takes three to four business days to be deposited in our account. Payment by credit card is instant.
If you wish to make the payment by credit card, please go to https://upeace.org/payments-hrc/
Payments by wire transfer must be made to the following bank account:
Universidad para la Paz
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bank account number:100-02-099-600195-4
Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ and IBAN: CR57015109910026001958
Avenidas 1 y 3, Calle 4
San José, Costa Rica
March 4, 2026 All Day(GMT-06:00)
18marAll DayDevelopment and Human Rights (18 March – 28 April, 2026)
Note: This course is also offered as part of the Professional Development Diploma on Sustainable Development and Human
Note: This course is also offered as part of the Professional Development Diploma on Sustainable Development and Human Rights.
This certificate course offered by the Human Rights Center of the University for Peace introduces participants to the major themes and debates concerning the relationship between human rights and development. The course begins with an examination of the different conceptions of ‘development’, including its evolution in theory, policy and practice, and its linkages with human rights. Participants analyze the human right to development, which treats development itself as a human right and not just a process which leads to improvement in human rights. The doctrinal and policy implications of adopting a ‘human rights-based approach to development’ based on the ‘right to development’, are discussed along with what such approaches mean, and what are the tools to implement them in the field. Participants will also explore the new streams of critique that have enabled a confluence as well as a questioning of the human rights-development linkages. These include a critical analysis of the successes and failures thus far of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. The role of strategic litigation in the interface between development and human rights is also looked at with the help of case studies from around the world. In the latter part of the course, selected current issues in the human rights-development interface that are salient from a policy perspective will be examined, including the role of trade, finance, investment, development aid, and aid for trade. Finally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development and human rights is examined.
The course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor.
The course is intended for staff members of development organisations, including development NGOs and UN specialised agencies, as well as others interested in learning more about human rights based approaches to development in theory and practice. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
Dr. Mihir Kanade (India) is Director of the Human Rights Centre of the University for Peace (established by the UN General Assembly). He is the Academic Director of UPEACE and the Head of its Department of International Law. He is also an adjunct faculty at Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio (Spain), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), Long Island University (LIU Global Centre in Costa Rica), and Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia). Dr. Kanade serves as the academic co-coordinator of the LLM programme in Transnational Crime and Justice offered at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, Turin, Italy. He also serves on the International Advisory Board of the International Bar Association on the topic of Business and Human Rights. Dr. Kanade currently serves as an independent expert of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. Dr. Kanade co-leads an e-learning project in partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNU-IIGH for training UN staff and diplomats of permanent missions of States on operationalizing the Right to Development in Implementation of the SDGs. He also chairs the drafting group of international experts appointed by the OHCHR for preparing a legally binding instrument on the right to development. His principal area of academic research and study is the interface between globalization, governance, public international law and human rights, covering several themes including trade, business and investment, sustainable development, forced displacement of people, indigenous peoples’ rights, public health, amongst others. He conducts several trainings for staff of intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals, in the field of international law and human rights. Prior to academia, Dr. Kanade practiced for several years as a lawyer at the Bombay High Court (Nagpur and Bombay benches) and at the Supreme Court of India. He holds a LL.B from Nagpur University (India) and a Master degree and Doctorate from UPEACE.
For Certificate: Fee for taking this course is USD 600. UPEACE students and almuni enrolling for the Certificate course are entitled to 30% discount on the fee.
For Auditing: It is also possible to audit the course, in which case, participants will not receive a certificate. Auditors, however, will have access to all course material, be able to participate in the synchronous webinar sessions, and be able to monitor the online discussions of participants. The fee for auditing the course is USD 200.
For Certificate and 2 Academic Credits: Participants are also able to take the course for two academic credits offered by UPEACE. The cost of taking the course for 2 academic credits is USD 1100.
To apply, please fill up the enrolment form. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The diploma is limited to 25 participants.
Payments may be made either by credit card or by wire transfer. Payment by wire transfer usually takes three to four business days to be deposited in our account. Payment by credit card is instant.
If you wish to make the payment by credit card, please go to https://upeace.org/payments-hrc/
Payments by wire transfer must be made to the following bank account:
Universidad para la Paz
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bank account number:100-02-099-600195-4
Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ and IBAN: CR57015109910026001958
Avenidas 1 y 3, Calle 4
San José, Costa Rica
March 18, 2026 All Day(GMT-06:00)
April
29aprAll DayTrafficking in Persons (29 April – 09 June, 2026)
This course can be taken
This course can be taken as stand-alone, or as part of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a global human rights violation that constitutes a contemporary form of slavery. It has acquired alarming proportions generating profits of billions of dollars annually, an organized trade in which women and girls are particularly vulnerable. This course is designed to introduce participants to the different manifestations of trafficking, and to examine the broad spectrum of issues related to trafficking from an international and regional legal framework perspective. The course is oriented towards a human rights based approach to TIP and the recognition of the trafficked person as a ‘victim of crime’. Special emphasis will be given to developing an understanding of the measures taken to protect human rights of the trafficked persons.
While the course primarily focuses on commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking for forced prostitution, trafficking for other purposes will also be fully addressed. Such practices include forced labour, the exploitation of immigrant females for domestic services, removal and sale of human organs, the sale of children for irregular inter-country adoption, and the sale of wives legalized by national / transnational marriages.
The course will lay special emphasis on all aspects of Prevention of TIP, Protection of trafficking victims and Prosecution of offenders. Critical challenges and appropriate responses to issues ranging from Rescue of the trafficked victims to comprehensive Integration into their families / society would also be examined.
The course will also look closely at diverse contemporary debates surrounding complexity of human trafficking, especially sex – work and trafficking in women; legalizing prostitution as a means of protecting women against trafficking; migration within and across national borders and trafficking in women; the relationship between supply and demand in diverse forms of trafficking and the impact of economic boycotts and sanctions in addressing trafficking in the supply chain.
The course will finally examine the roles of government, law enforcement, the international community, civil society and individual actors in addressing the problem and will conclude with strategies and ‘good practices’ that have proven effective in different parts of the world. Strong emphasis will be placed throughout the course not only on theory and legal frameworks, but also on case studies resourced globally.
Week 1: Introduction to Trafficking in Persons: Clarifying Concepts, Dimensions and Different Forms of Human Trafficking
This week will contain study of topics (inter alia) such as – meaning of TIP; meaning of different terminologies (e.g. ‘victim’ vis-à-vis ‘survivor’); conceptual difference between TIP and Smuggling of Migrants; clarifying difference between TIP and prostitution; myths and realities surrounding prostitution; different types of TIP; magnitude and incidence; root causes of human trafficking; push and pull factors; supply and demand theories; organized crime networks and its impact on TIP; etc.
Week 2: International and Regional Anti – Trafficking Legal Frameworks
This week will contain study of topics (inter alia) such as – all International (UN + ILO) Protocols / Treaties / Conventions pertaining to Human Trafficking and Trafficking in Children; UN Model Law on TIP; Regional Frameworks from Europe, South Asia, South East Asia, Africa, etc.
Week 3: The 3 P’s Approach to Combat Trafficking in Persons: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution
This week will contain study of topics (inter alia) such as – UN Trafficking Protocol and the 3 P’s approach to deal with TIP; details of the 3 P’s; rights of victims of trafficking; successful case studies on all the 3 P’s as ‘good practices’.
Week 4: ‘Rescue – Rehabilitation – Repatriation – Integration’ of Trafficked Victims: Critical Challenges and Responses
This week will contain study of topics (inter alia) such as – in depth discussion of all strategies from rescue of victim to integration into family / society (RRRI – acronym used by UNICEF); challenges at each of the 4 stages for law enforcement, government and other stakeholders and the appropriate responses; successful case studies globally as ‘good practices’.
Week 5: Trafficking in Persons: Debates and Critiques
This week will contain study of topics (inter alia) such as sex – work and trafficking in women; legalizing prostitution as a means of protecting women against trafficking; migration within and across national borders and trafficking in women; the relationship between supply and demand in diverse forms of trafficking and the impact of economic boycotts and sanctions in addressing trafficking in the supply chain).
Week 6: Multi Disciplinary Response to Trafficking in Persons: Role of Government, Law Enforcement, Non – Governmental Organizations, International Community and Others
This week will contain study of topics (inter alia) such as – role / duties/ responsibilities of all relevant stakeholders in a multi – disciplinary and multi – stakeholder approach to combat TIP; why fragmented approaches do not succeed and why is an integrated response to combat human trafficking required.
The course is intended for criminal justice practitioners, staff members of civil society organizations and (inter)governmental organizations involved in combating trafficking in persons, staff members of (international) development agencies, academics and others interested in the human rights of trafficked victims. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
Dr. Geeta Sekhon (India) is presently a consultant for the United Nations, working predominantly in training and policy design/implementation. She is a legal professional specializing in Rights of Children. Her thesis on – ‘Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparative Study of the Law and Legal Procedures in India and Western Countries’ earned her a Doctorate in Law from the University of Delhi, India. She also has a Post Graduate Degree in Law (LL. M) in Constitutional Law and Human Rights. She commenced her professional career in 1992 in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch of the Indian Navy and subsequently joined academics and taught graduate and post-graduate students of law. She was a visiting faculty in several countries in South Asia. Since 2007 she has been associated with the UN and has performed multifarious tasks as a Project Coordinator and as a Consultant with extensive professional experience in the South Asia and South East Asia region on issues related to Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons. She has authored multiple documents on the two subjects.
For Certificate: Fee for taking this course is USD 600. UPEACE students and almuni enrolling for the Certificate course are entitled to 30% discount on the fee.
For Auditing: It is also possible to audit the course, in which case, participants will not receive a certificate. Auditors, however, will have access to all course material, be able to participate in the synchronous webinar sessions, and be able to monitor the online discussions of participants. The fee for auditing the course is USD 200.
For Certificate and 2 Academic Credits: Participants are also able to take the course for two academic credits offered by UPEACE. The cost of taking the course for 2 academic credits is USD 1100.
To apply, please fill up the enrolment form. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The diploma is limited to 25 participants.
Payments may be made either by credit card or by wire transfer. Payment by wire transfer usually takes three to four business days to be deposited in our account. Payment by credit card is instant.
If you wish to make the payment by credit card, please go to https://upeace.org/payments-hrc/
Payments by wire transfer must be made to the following bank account:
Universidad para la Paz
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bank account number:100-02-099-600195-4
Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ and IBAN: CR57015109910026001958
Avenidas 1 y 3, Calle 4
San José, Costa Rica
April 29, 2026 All Day(GMT-06:00)