Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD)

Congratulations to ILGSPD's Class of 2024, who graduated on Friday 6 December at a ceremony held at the University of Glasgow's Bute Hall! The ILGSPD Consortium were delighted to celebrate the many achievements of the Class of 2024 at the end of their two years of multidisciplinary studies across Europe. Celebrations kicked off with a pre-graduation celebratory gathering on Thursday 5 December, where the graduands came together with the current students of ILGSPD and academic teams from the programme partner universities, University of Glasgow, Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals, Université libre de Bruxelles, Radboud University, Leuphana University of Lüneburg and University of Tartu. We also had the pleasure to have Professor Robin Geiss, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, as a keynote speaker at the evening. We wish our newly graduated students success in their future careers and eagerly welcome them to our thriving alumni community!

📢 Call for Visiting Scholar Applications The Consortium for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) is currently accepting applications from scholars to undertake a research visit to one of the two ILGSPD Consortium Partner Universities – Radboud University and Université libre de Bruxelles. Visiting Scholars will normally spend one week at their host institution. The award will comprise travel (economy class) and accommodation costs plus a weekly subsistence allowance. The deadline for application is Friday, 31 January 2025. For more information about the scheme and the application process, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eFGSjRKs

Hi Linkedin! This is a very long overdue post, but here we go... Two years ago, I received the most amazing news: I was nominated for the Erasmus Mundus EMJMD Programme Country scholarship to pursue the Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD). Fast forward to today, and I am proud to announce that I have officially graduated from ILGSPD! 👩🏻🎓 This journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, taking me through diverse academic experiences and enriching my perspective on law and international relations. Beginning with the first semester at the University of Glasgow where I reconnected with the field of international law. From there, I delved into the unfamiliar field of international relations and international security at the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals. My traditional legal ways of thinking were challenged yet pushed me to embrace a multidisciplinary approach to global affairs. Despite the challenges, I successfully completed my first dissertation titled 'The Role of ASEAN in Advancing Peace Processes in Southeast Asia: A Case Study on the Ongoing Bangsamoro Conflict'. In between first and second year, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 2023 Summer Course on ‘Women, Gender and International Human Rights Law’ with the Kalliopi Koufa Foundation in sunny Thessaloniki, Greece! My final year concluded at the University of Tartu, where I specialised in international human rights law and completed my final legal dissertation: 'The ASEAN Human Rights System: In Search of Accountability'. One of my highlights with the University of Tartu (except for seeing the northern lights!) was competing at the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition with an incredible and talented team. This was truly an invaluable learning experience. I would like to thank my professors and academic supervisors who have helped me throughout this journey and broadened my outlook on critical global challenges. Above all, thank you to the ILGSPD 22-24 cohort for all the memories we made together and for giving me a global family. 💙 I am now looking forward to applying my skills and experiences in roles where I can make a meaningful impact. Here's to the exciting future ahead! 🎉

Made it — Two Years, Two Master’s Degrees! The Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) journey has been nothing short of challenging and rewarding. Beyond diving into the world of international law and exploring new topics, the programme took me across different countries and institutions, making the experience even more enriching. One of the highlights has been the professional experiences I gained along the way. Working with Prof. Asli Ozcelik Olcay allowed me to explore the complexities of inclusive peace processes, a topic I’ve always been passionate about. My work with Prof. Christian J. Tams shifted my perspective from that of a student preparing for exams to someone involved in evaluating them and offering insights. Perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding experience was working with Prof. Jelena Bäumler. Being part of her research team helped me gain a deeper understanding of international sustainability law, especially in the areas of economic, environmental, and human rights law. I had the chance to explore her research on free trade agreements, analyse their trade and sustainability chapters, and think critically about how to transform them into real drivers of sustainability. These experiences helped me grow professionally and develop a more nuanced understanding of the field. The program also allowed me to focus on research topics close to my heart. My first thesis, written under the supervision of Prof. Pol Bargués, at Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals, I critically examined liberal peacebuilding interventions, using Kosovo as a case study to explore how these interventions shaped inter-ethnic relations beyond the typical state-building narrative. For my second thesis, at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg and University of Glasgow,under the supervision of Prof. Jelena Bäumler, I turned to international environmental law and its role in environmental peacebuilding. I was particularly interested in how multilateral environmental agreements could be used to strengthen such programs. None of this would have been possible without the ongoing and unconditional support of my partner (Gresa Smolica), family, friends, and professors, who guided me along the way. I will always be deeply grateful for that. Cheers to closing this academic chapter and opening new ones 🎉

I am very happy to share that I have graduated with Distinction from the University of Glasgow, with an LL.M. (Master of Laws) in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development. This degree comes as part of my Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, through which I was also awarded a Master of Arts in International Law and Human Rights from the University of Tartu and a Master in International Security from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals. Throughout the two years of master’s, I have participated in the Munich Advanced Course In International Law (MACIL) and represented the University of Glasgow in the Nuremberg Moot Court. I also wrote two dissertations, “Is Russia promoting a genocide in Ukraine?” (international relations), under the supervision of Professor Martin Shaw, and “A Special Tribunal to try Russia’s Political and Military Leadership for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine” (law), under the supervision of Professor René Värk. In parallel, I have done a Legal Internship at the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) and taken a Visiting Professional placement at the International Criminal Court, where I currently work as Trial Support Assistant. It has been a wonderful journey that opened many doors in my life. I would like to thank the Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD), the Erasmus Mundus Association and the European Commission for awarding me the scholarship that made all of this possible. My gratitude is also extended to all my professors, especially Christian J. Tams and Anni Pues for all the support along the way.

When States Help Other States Break the Law: A Legal Perspective Today, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking discussion led by Professor Dr. Sarah (Sally) Thin on an important yet complex topic: state complicity in internationally wrongful acts. The session focused on the legal framework surrounding this issue, particularly through the lens of the Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (ARSIWA). Dr. Thin explored how ARSIWA addresses the responsibility of states not just for their own wrongful actions, but also for aiding or assisting others in violating international law. The discussion highlighted the fine line between support and complicity, raising questions about how we define and enforce accountability in the global arena. One of the most compelling case studies was the Nicaragua v. Germany dispute, where Germany’s alleged assistance to Israel in its conflict with Palestine was scrutinized. The case exemplifies the challenges of holding states accountable for actions that might indirectly contribute to violations of international law. The conversation underscored the tension between state sovereignty and the imperative of upholding international norms. While ARSIWA provides a framework, its practical application is fraught with political and legal hurdles. This dialogue left me reflecting on the prospects and challenges of strengthening international accountability mechanisms. As global interdependence grows, so does the importance of addressing complicity and ensuring that states are held responsible not only for their direct actions but also for their indirect roles in perpetuating harm. Grateful for the insights shared by Dr. Thin and the opportunity provided by Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) to engage with this critical issue.

Felt like a "virtual day" in the UN atmosphere! Last week, we had the honour of attending a guest lecture as part of the Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) program on 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐍-𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭? delivered by Her Excellency Dr. Katharina Stasch, German Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and former Chairperson of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency ExCom (2023-2024). Following her formal lecture open to University of Glasgow School of Law students, our Erasmus cohort had an exclusive hour-long informal session with Dr. Stasch. This insightful discussion not only covered potential pathways into UN agencies but also offered a rare glimpse into the day-to-day challenges faced by an Ambassador, fostering critical thought on problem-solving in international diplomacy—an invaluable experience! #UN #diplomacy #law #multilaterialism #resilience #uofg #uofglaw #ilgspd #erasmus #erasmusmundus

This week's Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) guest lecture on Unsettling International Dispute Settlement by Dr Justina Uriburu (The University of Manchester). I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion on Dr. Justina's forthcoming monograph, which examines not only international law and dispute settlement but also the history of international adjudication. The most compelling aspect, however, was learning about Latin America's engagement with international institutions and international law as a whole. #InternationalLaw #DisputeSettlement #UofG #UofGLAW #Erasmus #ilgspd #latinamerica

🌍 Broadening Horizons Through Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) One of the most incredible aspects of the ILGSPD program is the unique opportunity it provides to connect with scholars, ambassadors, and professionals from academia, the United Nations, and other global organizations. These interactions not only deepen our understanding of International Legal Framework but also inspire us to think critically and creatively about the world’s most pressing challenges. This is just one of the many perks of this intensive program—an experience that truly prepares us to make an impact on a global scale. Grateful to be part of this transformative journey! 🙌 #ILGSPD #GlobalOpportunities #ProfessionalGrowth #Networking #ErasmusMundus

Next week I will give a public lecture at Leuphana University of Lüneburg on how NATO does human security. I'll be discussing the work I have been doing with Daniel Linsdell at NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps as well as some of the wider uses and evidence base for the positive impact of human security in military operations. You can tune in via Zoom with details here https://lnkd.in/ehnFzgRZ The public lecture is hosted by the Erasmus Mundus in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD) where I am pleased to be a Visiting Scholar.