Padova Model UPR 2025: human rights, democracy, and diplomacy
07.08.2025
The Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies (SPGI) and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Padova are pleased to announce the 8th edition of the Padova Model Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which will take place from 25 to 28 November 2025 in Padova.
This annual academic simulation offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with the Universal Periodic Review, a key United Nations mechanism that reviews the human rights records of all UN Member States. Prospective applicants and participants are master’s or senior Bachelor’s students in the field of political sciences and law.
The Padova Model UPR is an original and comprehensive simulation designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the UPR procedure held in Geneva. This interactive programme is a great way to learn about human rights, democracy, and diplomacy beyond the classroom setting. Participants will assume various roles, such as State delegates, NGOs, and National Human Rights Institutions, gaining a practical understanding of assessing States’ human rights records and addressing human rights violations.
The event is organized by an international team of students and former delegates, in coordination with professors and researchers of the Human Rights Centre "Antonio Papisca" and the MA Degree Programme in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance (HRG) at the University of Padova.
The initiative has the support of the UN Office of the Hight Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): their staff will be involved in the training sessions and the head of the UPR Branch has secured his attendance in the simulation phase. UPR-Info, other NGOs and the National Human Rights Institutions of some states actively cooperate in implementing the project.
There are no fees for participation, and the operational language is English.
For more information on the application procedures, requirements, and schedule, please visit the Unipd Human Rights Centre website.
The application deadline is October 3 (EU citizenship) or September 5 (non-EU).
