Call for applications for the E.MA 2010/2011

Presentation
The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (E.MA) - organised by the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) - is the primary Programme of the European Union to educate professionals in the field of human rights and democratisation. It is an intensive one-year multidisciplinary joint degree academic programme reflecting the indivisible links between human rights, democracy, peace and development with a practice-oriented approach.
As of December 2009, seven universities are issuing the European Joint Degree: University of Graz, Catholic University Leuven, Ruhr-University Bochum, University of Hamburg, University of Padua, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, University of Deusto, Bilbao. More universities are expected to accede to the Joint Degree Agreement in the course of 2010.
The E.MA programme offers an action and policy-oriented approach to learning about international law, politics, philosophy, history and anthropology of human rights. Students coming from EU Member States and all over the world have the opportunity to meet and be taught by leading academics representing the 41 E.MA participating universities, experts and representatives of international organisations (including the European Union, the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe-OSCE) as well as NGOs, while studying in a multicultural environment.
E.MA students, upon completion of all course’s components, are expected to gain both academic and practical skills: on the one hand, the ability to conduct independent and interdisciplinary academic research in relation to human rights and democratisation issues; on the other hand, skills which are relevant to human rights practitioners such as reporting, fact-finding, and monitoring.

CONTENTS OF THE E.MA PROGRAMME
First and second semester
The academic year of the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation is divided into two semesters: the first semester (September to January) in Venice - Lido and the second (February to July) at an E.MA participating university situated in a Member State of the European Union.
The E.MA Programme combines academic and practical training in human rights and democratisation. The E.MA Programme, being multidisciplinary, begins with preparatory sessions to post-graduate level studies in political science, philosophy, and law. These are followed by lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, skill-building sessions, and individual research.
The E.MA first semester curriculum consists of a core programme, made up of thematic sections (the first stream) aimed at the plenary group of students, and a series of second stream activities consisting of units devised for smaller groups.
First stream courses are organised in thematic sections. In the a.y. 2009/2010, thematic sections were the following:
• TS1: Human Rights Institutions, Mechanisms and Standards (United Nations; Council of Europe; EU; OSCE; Organization of American States; African System; perspectives on Asia)
• TS2: Human Rights in Context: History, Philosophy, Religion and Anthropology of Human Rights;
• TS3: Democratisation (Transition and Transformation Processes; Political Participation; Electoral Processes)
• TS4: Human Rights and Globalisation (Stakeholders in Economic Globalisation: States, International Economic Organisations, Companies, NGOs; Human Rights and Development; Corporate Social Responsibility, Business and Human Rights; Project Week on China)
• TS5: Human Rights and Security + Field Trip (Humanitarian Law; International Criminal Law; Trafficking Human Beings; Field Missions; Terrorism and Human Rights)

Second stream courses consist of different components such as cluster classes, rolling seminars based on law, philosophy and international relations; some semester-long special projects involving students in activity learning with a collective product or event. Cluster classes are conceived as a series of activities that foster and deepen the knowledge of different aspects of human rights, under a practical perspective. Each student enrolls in two clusters. In the a.y. 2009/2010, cluster classes were on:
· Gender and Human Rights
· Energy, Climate and Human Rights
· European Union Policies, Business and Human Rights
· Human Rights Defenders.

The first semester programme also includes a field trip aimed at raising awareness of practical challenges related to human rights work in the field. In past years the field trip was in Kosovo and Bosnia. The main purpose is to provide deeper insights into the real tasks, difficulties, and expectations with which human rights officers in the field are faced, and to impart a better understanding of the real situation of a post-war country.

During the second semester students relocate to one of the 41 E.MA participating universities to follow courses in a given area of specialisation and to undertake personal supervised research finalised by the writing of a Master‘s thesis. The second semester of the programme is conceived as a European exchange which implies that students will be hosted for the second semester activities in a university located in a country other than their own.

Assessment and Degree
First semester assessment is made by written assignments and intermittent written exams. Only successful students are allowed to proceed to second semester courses. During the second semester, students will attend further specialised courses for which they will be assessed according to the hosting university’s practices.
After successfully passing exams and completing a Master’s thesis, students will be awarded the European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation jointly conferred by those Universities of the E.MA participating universities that will have ratified the Joint Degree Agreement.



What you can achieve
Having obtained the E.MA Diploma, the majority of graduates are likely to find job opportunities with human rights organisations (both governmental and non-governmental, international and national) which could involve them in field missions (electoral observation, human rights monitoring, international cooperation projects) or as officials taking care of the activities carried out at headquarters. In a number of cases graduates are involved in human rights-related activities by their home Ministries of Foreign Affairs, or are seconded by them to work for international institutions. In many cases access to these institutions starts with an internship period. Some graduates pursue further academic studies and research.


E.MA Awarded Theses
Each year the E.MA Council selects five outstanding theses for the annual publication in its own series.

Internships and Fellowships
In previous years EIUC itself has been facilitating the entry of its graduates in the human rights job market through two successful internship programmes: the E.MA Internship Programme and the EIUC EU-UN Fellowship Programme.



Who can apply
E.MA is open to EU and non-EU citizens. The criteria used during the selection process are: academic ability and background, experience, motivation, and language competence.

Academic requirements
Applicants are required to hold a university degree of a high standard and must have 240 ECTS credits (with a 180 ECTS minimum university title/degree) normally in a field relevant to human rights, including disciplines in law, social sciences, and the humanities. If the applicant holds a degree corresponding to 180 ECTS credits, then the additional 60 ECTS credits will normally be obtained through regular university studies but can in exceptional circumstances also be obtained through documented prior learning components that are related to the E.MA curriculum and include a minimum structure of: a) independent project research and/or b) supervised academic learning. The applicant has to carry a workload approximately equivalent to one academic year. The final decision whether the applicant meets the 240 ECTS credits will be taken on a case by case basis by the E.MA Executive Committee.
Applicants completing the degree entry requirements subsequently to the application deadline are requested to provide a current transcript of exams. Eventual admittance into the Programme will be conditional upon documentation of completed degree prior to the beginning of the E.MA academic year (the deadline is 6 September 2010).
All selected candidates who hold a non-EU degree are required to produce upon admission a “declaration of value” of their degree. Non-EU candidates are moreover required to obtain a study visa which must cover the entire duration of the academic year (September 2010 – September 2011). Both the study visa and the “declaration of value” are preconditions for enrolment and should be requested from the competent Italian Embassy or other diplomatic and consular offices.
Please note that students who need to obtain a study visa and/or declaration of value on their degree are responsible to manage the relevant procedure or request upon the competent Italian diplomatic and consular offices and cover the related costs. EIUC is not responsible for visa issues and compliance with relevant immigration laws is solely the responsibility of prospective as well as current students.

Language competence
English and French are the official working languages of the E.MA programme. Fluency in English is an admission requirement to the programme. While not a prerequisite, the ability to understand lectures and read academic texts in French is a definite advantage for participation in the programme.

Experience
Previous practical experience in the area of human rights in inter-governmental, governmental, or non-governmental organisations is helpful.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
Candidates for admission are requested to send two completed application forms and supporting documentation to the EIUC Secretariat in Venice by 19 March 2010 (date of receipt of the application materials).
Due to the high demand and interest, the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) is offering E.MA 2010/2011 prospective students more time to submit applications. A second round of applications has been opened and the final deadline is 14 April 2010 at 2.00 p.m. (date of receipt of the application materials).
Supporting documents to be attached to the two completed application forms include the following:
Curriculum Vitae;
Certified copy of the University degree and transcripts of exams (with certified translation into English, French or Italian). If you are selected. please note that you may be requested to provide the EIUC Secretariat with a legalised translation of the above-mentioned documentation;
Certification of other ECTS credits claimed, including postgraduate studies following the BA;
Two letters of reference;
Photocopies of language knowledge certificates and other certificates proving work experience.



The applications collected will be sent, according to the candidate’s citizenship, to the corresponding National Co-ordinating University, which will then make a preliminary selection. The Executive Committee of the European Master’s Degree Programme will select non-EU candidates and finally decide on the admission of all candidates. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email with further instructions after May 2010.



It is mandatory that ALL applicants to the academic year 2010/2011 of the European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (E.MA) fill in the E.MA online survey.
Click here to proceed.
The EIUC Secretariat needs you to fill in the E.MA online survey for statistical purposes and in order to speed up the processing of your application.



FINANCIAL ISSUES
For the a.y. 2010/2011, the tuition fee is of 4.000 €.
In addition, applicants shall pay an enrolment fee of 130 €.
EIUC does not provide full scholarships.
Only a very limited number of students might benefit from modest financial support in the form of a partial contribution towards living expenses and/or a full or partial tuition waiver. If participation in the E.MA Programme is conditional upon receiving financial support, this must be clearly indicated in the financial aid application form. Students bear the responsibility to secure their full living and housing expenses prior to their arrival in Venice (estimated at a minimum of about 750 Euro/month).
Students are responsible for their own accommodation both during first semester in Venice and second semester at the hosting university. With regard to the first semester in Venice, they can receive assistance in finding accommodation or may choose to arrange this by themselves.
Each student is responsible for travel costs necessary to reach her/his second semester E.MA university in Europe.

Supporting institutions
The E.MA is primarily financed through the EIUC by the European Union.* The Region of Veneto also provides substantial funding. The EIUC premises are made available and managed by the Municipality of Venice. The E.MA enjoys the collaboration with UNESCO, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), La Biennale di Venezia, and benefits from the close cooperation of the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and other international organisations.
The Master’s Programme is further enriched by the input given by representatives of non-governmental organisations such as the Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, International Committee of the Red Cross, Terre des Hommes, and No Peace Without Justice. All mentioned organisations are members of the EIUC/E.MA Advisory Board, thus providing their expertise to the E.MA management on a continuous basis.

* subject to approval by the budgetary authorities.