The University of Galway has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Online School on Human Rights, an international six-week academic programme exploring the challenges facing human rights in an era of democratic backsliding, authoritarianism, conflict, and global normative contestation.

Organized through the Irish Centre for Human Rights in collaboration with several European university partners, the programme offers participants an opportunity to critically examine contemporary human rights issues while developing practical research and advocacy skills.

Applications are open until 19 July 2026, and participation is completely free of charge.

Exploring Human Rights in a Changing Global Landscape

Now in its third edition, the Online School on Human Rights will focus on the theme:

“Rights in Europe: The Risks and Impact of Authoritarianism.”

The programme will examine how political systems, institutions, and governance structures influence the protection and enjoyment of human rights across Europe and neighboring regions.

Participants will engage with pressing issues including:

Democratic backsliding
Authoritarian governance
Human rights accountability mechanisms
Digital rights and misinformation
Gender and LGBTQI+ rights
Migration and human rights
Human rights during armed conflicts
Citizen participation and advocacy

The curriculum is designed to provide participants with the analytical tools necessary to understand human rights within diverse legal, political, and social contexts.

International Collaboration and Academic Partnership

The School is organized through a partnership involving several leading European institutions:

University of Galway
Ghent University
University of Groningen
Uppsala University
UGent Human Rights Research Network

The initiative is funded through the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility project supported by the European Union.

Programme Structure and Learning Format

The School will run from 25 August to 6 October 2026 and will be delivered entirely online in English.

Participants will complete:

30 academic hours of instruction
Interactive lectures twice weekly
A specialized methodological workshop
Collaborative group projects
International networking opportunities

Classes will take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 18:00 CET.

The programme carries a workload equivalent to 3 ECTS credits, subject to recognition by participants’ home institutions.

Academic Themes and Lecture Topics

The curriculum is divided into four thematic blocks designed to explore human rights from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Block 1: Human Rights and Institutions

Topics include:

Human rights and democratic backsliding
Comparative constitutionalism
Challenges in implementing human rights
International accountability mechanisms

Block 2: New Frontiers of Human Rights

Participants will examine:

Digital rights in the post-truth era
Women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights
Debates around traditional values
Human rights dimensions of migration to Europe

Block 3: Human Rights Appropriation and Early Warning Systems

This section focuses on:

Anticipating authoritarian backsliding
Emergency governance and human rights implications
Human rights discourse under authoritarian regimes
Critical approaches to human rights analysis

Block 4: Human Rights Advocacy and Civic Engagement

Topics include:

Grassroots activism and post-Soviet political contexts
Citizen participation in human rights promotion
Advocacy strategies and accountability mechanisms

Practical Research and Skills Development

In addition to lectures, participants will engage in practical learning activities designed to strengthen research and advocacy skills.

Key components include:

Methodological Workshop

Interdisciplinary human rights research methods
Documentation and monitoring techniques
Analytical frameworks for human rights assessment

Group Research Project

Small-group collaborative research
Topic selection based on programme themes
Final presentation during the closing ceremony

These activities are intended to help participants apply theoretical concepts to real-world human rights challenges.

Certification and Academic Recognition

Participants who successfully complete the programme requirements will receive certificates jointly issued by all partner universities.

To qualify for certification, participants must:

Attend and actively participate in all 10 lectures
Complete the group project
Engage in programme activities throughout the six-week course

The programme workload is recognized as equivalent to 3 ECTS credits, although formal recognition remains subject to individual university policies.

Eligibility Requirements

The programme welcomes applications from:

Final-year undergraduate students
Master’s students
Graduate-level participants
Individuals with a strong interest in human rights

Eligible applicants may come from:

Europe
The Caucasus
Belarus
Ukraine
Moldova
Central Asia
Other regions worldwide

The School seeks participants interested in critically examining contemporary human rights challenges within diverse political and social contexts.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit:

A Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages)
A motivation letter (maximum one page)

The motivation letter should explain:

Interest in the programme
Academic background
Experience related to human rights
Expected contribution to the learning environment

The application deadline is 19 July 2026.

A Unique Opportunity for Emerging Human Rights Leaders

The Online School on Human Rights offers students and emerging professionals an opportunity to engage with leading scholars, develop interdisciplinary research skills, and build international networks focused on human rights protection and advocacy.

At a time when democratic institutions, civil liberties, and human rights norms face increasing challenges globally, the programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to contribute meaningfully to human rights promotion, accountability, and social justice efforts in their communities and beyond.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.