Last edition
A year in review
“Living in Lido was like living in our own small “EMA-bubble” where we shared countless moments of laughter, learning, and growth together. The immense support we gave each other was instrumental in helping us through the early mornings, moot court on Saturday, TS1 exam, 24 and 48-hour exams. It was a tough and intense course at times, but the sense of belonging and the help we received from each other made it all worth it. After our trip to Kosovo, we returned with memories and experiences that we will cherish for a lifetime.
The second semester was a bit different as we were staying in different countries. Luckily, physical distance did not keep us from showing support and staying in touch. We stayed connected through visits to each other, WhatsApp messages, and EMA ‘shut up and write’ sessions. We will never forget this experience, it became very special because of each and every one of you.”
From the Yearbook of the EMA 2022-23 cohort
Some of the 2022-23 unforgettable experiences...
1.
Skills Building Activities
A practice approach to human rights education
The academic programme is enhanced by a focus on practice. Students engage with leading practitioners in practical workshops and assignments. Highlights include moot courts lead by a judge of the European Court for Human Rights and by a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, the student-led Human Rights Film Festival through which students learn project and event management, optional skill workshops on project management, communication, digital verification of human rights violations, and human rights impact assessment as well as integrated workshops with experienced human rights field officers to practice decision making in the field and with experienced peace negotiators.
2.
Kosovo field trip
January 2023
The first semester culminates in a field trip to Kosovo, a post-conflict society which continues to have a large international presence 25 years after hostilities ended. During the field trip students are generously hosted by local Kosovo families, visit a wide range of international, national and civil society organizations that is a wonderful bonding moment for our students, and an enriching study experience.
Courtesy © Photo Anna Kačmaříková
3.
Graduation ceremony
September 2023
A grand celebration of academic excellence and human rights advocacy, the event takes place each year at the historical Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice. Fresh EMA graduates also learn during this occasion if they have been awarded the paid EMA Internship Scholarship.
A few words from our Alumni and Alumnae
“I reaffirmed my passion for human rights! Being part of the EMA Program taught me a lot, both professionally and personally. Having had the opportunity to live in such amazing cities will remain forever in my heart. I am happy to have made wonderful friends who taught me about their cultures and their fight for the defence of human dignity. Thank you very much to my colleagues for the time we shared, I hope to meet again sometime. Thanks to the Global Campus for making this learning experience exceptional. Undoubtedly, the educational work you do transforms the world!”
“For me the EMA is not just an educational program, it goes beyond that. I found it to be a practical platform, in which you learn and deal with professors and practitioners from different regions, build your professional career network, as well as meet beautiful class fellows from different countries. If I were to choose my favorite part of the program, it would definitely be the Kosovo trip at the end of the first semester.”
“EMA changed my life in more ways than I expected and even hoped. I hope to open this yearbook in one, five, ten, and maybe even thirty years, look at the faces of all the fantastic people I met here, and think: “this was the best choice I have ever made”. Bonus points if I will be sitting in a great office making a difference for human rights. May this remind us of all the good, ‘gezellig’ times in Lido. All the (way too) many Aperol spritzes, mangiate, and the coffee talks after lunch. Loads of love X”
“When I first applied for the EMA Programme, I was not sure. Was it the right choice? Now, a few months later, I can say with certainty that it was the best decision I have ever made in my life! I will miss all the Professors, who travelled from every corner of the world to teach us, the EMA Team and Staff, my beloved classmates, our “Monastery”. And, of course, Venice! As Peggy Guggenheim said: “To live in Venice or even to visit it means that you fall in love with the city itself! There is nothing left over in your heart for anyone else”. Arrivederci!”