The Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva (SSBM Geneva), in cooperation with Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association, International Alliance for Peace and Development (IAPD), and the Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa (CIDH), successfully organized a two-week international youth training program titled “International Mechanisms for Human Rights & Disarmament.” The program took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2 to 13 March 2026, bringing together young participants interested in international diplomacy, human rights, and global governance.
The training was held alongside several key international events taking place in Geneva, including the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the 2026 First Session of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, and the working group meetings of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This timing allowed participants to experience firsthand the dynamics of international policy discussions on human rights and disarmament.
Throughout the two-week program, students engaged in a combination of academic and practical learning sessions designed to deepen their understanding of international human rights mechanisms and disarmament frameworks. Expert-led lectures provided theoretical insights into the workings of international institutions, while practical activities enabled trainees to observe and participate directly in diplomatic processes.
Much of the program took place at the iconic Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Participants attended formal and informal sessions of international meetings, followed side events, and joined feedback discussions designed to analyze ongoing debates and negotiations. The program also included sessions hosted at SSBM Geneva and external venues such as Le Club suisse de la presse.
In addition, students had the opportunity to visit Palais Wilson, the headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, gaining deeper insight into the institutional framework that supports the protection of global human rights.
The training combined theoretical lectures, practical simulations, and real-time observation of international negotiations. Participants explored the structure and procedures of the Human Rights Council, the role of treaty bodies, and the international framework governing arms control and disarmament.
A distinctive feature of the program was the opportunity for trainees to engage directly in diplomatic processes by:
These experiences allowed participants to connect academic knowledge with real-world policymaking.
At the conclusion of the program on 13 March 2026, participants received certificates recognizing their successful completion of the training and their active participation in activities linked to the Human Rights Council, discussions on lethal autonomous weapons systems, and the Arms Trade Treaty framework.
As a global educational institution headquartered in Geneva, SSBM Geneva continues to emphasize practical learning and international engagement, welcoming students from more than 150 countries. Through initiatives such as this training program, the school aims to equip young professionals with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective needed to contribute to international dialogue and policy development.
The program concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony at SSBM Geneva, celebrating the participants’ commitment to advancing human rights, peace, and international cooperation.
