Programme and Methodology

The Executive Programme starts in October 2024 and will comprise 6 modules, which cover areas related to international health law, international humanitarian law, crisis settings and medical ethics.

Module 1: Global health law

• The nature and scope of global health law as a branch of international law;
• The specific treaties and other instruments as related to health and law;
• Right to Health as enshrined in international human rights law;
• Skills-based workshop: Introduction to the United Nations system.

Module 2: International humanitarian law

• Introduction to international humanitarian law: basic principles;
• The protection of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, medical personnel and medical units;
• Skills-based workshop: Negotiation skills and techniques.

Module 3: Health protection during humanitarian emergencies

• Medical ethics; needs v. rights-based approaches;
• Disasters and pandemics and the current global context, including rights and obligations of international cooperation and assistance; multidimensional crises;
• Skills-based workshop: Leadership skills in times of uncertainty and crisis.

Module 4: Post-crisis recovery and development

• Building-Back-Better and Rebuilding institutions;
• Healthcare infrastructural development;
• Skills-based workshop: Stakeholder engagement and coordination.

Module 5: Mental health and human rights during crisis

• Mental health in humanitarian contexts;
• Mental wellbeing as a human right;
• Skills-based workshop: Public speaking and presentation skills.

Module 6: Rights of access to information and participation of vulnerable affected communities in relation to health services planning and provision

• Rights to information and participation for vulnerable populations, e.g. persons with disabilities, children, elderly, minorities;
• Gender, marginalization and health in humanitarian emergencies;
• Involvement of affected communities before, during and after crises (e.g. full ‘disaster cycle’ or ‘humanitarian programme cycle’)
• Skills-based workshop: Sociocultural dynamics and cultural intelligence.

Methodology

UNITAR’s training programmes always promote an interactive approach through lessons and multimedia material, stimulating critical thinking. Each part has its own learning objectives, as well as interactive online lessons, which guide participants through the contents. Contents and activities are practice-oriented and based on a self-assessment approach, so participants learn through practical examples and assignments associated with research and case scenarios.