The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations and the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, invite
Students from all Universities in the World
to participate in the
10th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition,
Palais Des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, 15-20 July 2018
Students from all universities in the world are invited to participate in the prestigious Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in 2018. The year 2018 will not only mark the tenth year in the life of the Competition, but will also be an opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 100th birthday of human rights icon Nelson Mandela. The final rounds will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva form 15 to 20 July.
Each year undergraduate and masters’ level students who wish to participate in the Competition submit written legal arguments for the opposing sides in a fictional dispute involving some of the burning human rights issues of the day. The teams with the highest scores from each of the five UN regions are then invited to participate in the final, oral rounds in the Human Rights Council Chamber in the Palais des Nations. The case is heard by a panel of eminent international jurists, including judges from international tribunals. Many participants have described participation in the Moot as the highlight of their studies.
In 2018 the Competition will for the first time be presented not only in English, but also in French. In future years the other UN languages, namely Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic, will also be used.
The teams that are selected to participate in the final rounds in Geneva are expected to cover their own traveling costs as well as accommodation and meals, although limited financial assistance is available.
The last day for submission of memorials is 16 April 2018.
More information on the Competition is available at the following link.