Course offerings: Human rights commitment and practical projects!

Course offerings: Human rights commitment and practical projects!

On April 18, 2025, Leuphana University announces that the application phase for the new master's degree program with a focus on human rights has begun. Students have the opportunity to prepare for a career in international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and in the field of development aid. The application deadline is May 31st and studies are scheduled to begin in September. This innovative program focuses on the practical application of the knowledge learned and enables students to work on their own projects on governance or human rights at an early stage.

The four-semester course takes place entirely online, with interaction between students and teachers taking place primarily via digital platforms such as ZOOM. In-person weeks are also offered in a hybrid form, so that participants can take part both on site and online. This ensures that international students can also take up part-time and location-independent studies. The master's program is headed by Prof. Dr. Till Patrik Holterhus, a proven expert in international public law.

Practical experiences and conferences

A central element of the study program is the organization of their own conference, which is held by the students on a topic of their own choosing at the end of their studies. This promotes their ability to operate in a professional environment and discuss human rights and governance issues.

The master's program in human rights at Leuphana offers a solid foundation for future employees in a variety of organizations that are committed to protecting fundamental human rights. These include both international and national human rights organizations that are major players in this field, such as the UN Human Rights Council and Amnesty International, as well as numerous local initiatives that address specific issues such as religious freedom or women's rights. A comprehensive list of these organizations can be found on Wikipedia.

Human rights in development cooperation

Current developments show that development cooperation is increasingly focusing on the promotion and protection of human rights. The free online self-study course “Human Rights in Development Cooperation”, offered by the German Institute for Human Rights in cooperation with GIZ, addresses central questions about the implementation of human rights in various development sectors. The course is designed to be barrier-free and optimized for various devices to reach a broad participant base.

The course consists of four modules covering topics such as conflict transformation, sustainable economic development and rural development. At the end, participants are awarded a certificate, which underlines the importance of human rights in development cooperation and points to the need to proactively address human rights risks.

Through such programs and initiatives it is clear that training and awareness raising regarding human rights is increasingly becoming a focus, both at the academic level and in practical application within development cooperation.