Law: International Human Rights

Thank you for your interest in Catholic University’s International Human Rights Summer Law Program in Rome, Italy! The Program is offered in even years and will take place again in Summer 2026.

The format and focus of the Program will remain the same, however new courses developed especially for the Program will be announced next fall. This program allows students to earn four credits over an intensive three-week program of study. Because the program is concentrated in three weeks, from mid-May through the first week in June, students can pursue summer employment after the program is over. It also makes the program particularly accessible to evening students who are employed. During the three-week session, students will be able to select from a group of courses focusing on different aspects of human rights law. Formal study will be supplemented with visits to local legal institutions and organizations, as well as the opportunity to explore the city of Rome and enjoy some of Italy’s religious, cultural, and historic treasures.

We believe strongly in the importance of educating students and encouraging discourse about the vital importance of human rights in promoting justice, ensuring the satisfaction of basic human needs, and protecting the vulnerable against exploitation and abuse.  Rooted in the fundamental value of human dignity, global human rights instruments and institutions dedicated to the protection of human rights have vastly increased in number since World War II.  But unfortunately human rights violations continue to occur across the globe. We hope that students on our program will dedicate their talents to protecting human rights, no matter where their professional lives may take them.
 
Rome is an amazing location to explore human rights issues.  Human rights were of vital interest to many ancient Roman thinkers and jurists, including Cicero, Seneca, Epictetus and Justinian.  The Roman Catholic Church has played a significant role in the development of human rights.  Many international organizations dedicated to human rights protection are headquartered in Rome.  Students can gain hands-on experience in human rights protection and/or other aspects of legal practice relating to international law by participating in legal externships after the conclusion of their studies on the program. 
 
We also seek to foster a community of human rights scholars and so we offer you a variety of speakers, field trips, dinners, and other social events where you will have the opportunity to engage with Italian professionals and students with an interest in human rights. 
 
We welcome students of all backgrounds and with a variety of interests.  All of our courses are taught in English. 
 
We hope that you can join us in Rome!

Professor Susanna F. Fischer
Director, International Human Rights Summer Law Program in Rome
fischer@law.edu