The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA) is an intensive high level one-year academic programme in the field of human rights and democratisation.

EMA is a multidisciplinary programme that reflects the indivisible links between human rights, democracy, peace and development. The programme offers an action and policy-oriented approach to learning about international relations, law, political sciences, philosophy, history and anthropology of human rights. Students have the opportunity to be taught by leading academics representing the 42 EMA 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) and NGOs while studying in a multicultural environment.

EMA students, upon completion of all course 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 project management.

Below are 10 reasons why people choose EMA:

• Multidisciplinarity as opposed to single focus in traditional university departments
• Range of high-level academics, experts, officials from a variety of institutions and organisations, most of whom engage on a daily basis in human rights practice and thus are always abreast of the latest developments and debates
• Combination of theory and practice to be operational as soon as the course is completed
• Opportunity to see how the theory studied in the classroom ‘comes alive’ during a field trip to a post-conflict country
• European mobility: first Venice, historically at the centre of a multicultural approach to international relations, and then one of the many prestigious universities and human rights centres participating in the programme
• Possibility to undertake internships and fellowships in leading human rights organisations
• Ties with EU institutions and links with governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations for a regional and at the same time global experience
• Extensive worldwide EMAlumni Association for contacts, job opportunities, career development, projects, research
• Excellent value for money
• A unique social and professional experience during which all those involved (students, faculty and resident staff) develop long-term bonds and networks with each other.