The Legal Office of the United Nations Office at Geneva are the organizers of the Seminar.
Michael Schoiswohl, Director of the International Law Seminar and Senior Legal Adviser for the United Nations Office at Geneva. Previously, he has held various positions within the United Nations in legal affairs, international law and related areas, including at the Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs (United Nations Headquarters), the Department of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and the United Nations Development Programme. He was a NYU fellow at the International Law Commission in 2000 (assisting Prof. Alain Pellet). He holds a Doctorate in public international law and a law degree from the University of Vienna, and obtained a LL.M. in international legal studies as a Fulbright scholar at NYU.
Vittorio Mainetti, Coordinator of the International Law Seminar since 2006. He has a PhD in Public International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, in Geneva and the University of Milan. His doctoral dissertation, entitled "L'intérêt culturel internationalement protégé. Contribution à l'étude du droit international de la culture", was devoted to the study of International Culture Heritage Law. He is currently teaching international law and international organizations law at the University of Milan, as an adjunct professor. He was a visiting lecturer in several universities in France, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. Specializing in public international law, Dr. Mainetti is particularly interested in the history of international law, the law of international organizations, and the law of international cultural relations and cultural heritage protection. He is the author of several scientific publications on various international law issues. LinkedIn - Academia.edu
Trust Fund of the Intenational Law Seminar
The International Law Commission (ILC) stresses the importance it attaches to the International Law Seminar, which enables young lawyers, especially those from developing countries, to familiarize themselves with the work of the ILC and the activities of the many international organizations based in Geneva. Voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund of the Seminar enable the Legal Office at the United Nations Office at Geneva to secure the organization of the Seminar with as broad participation as possible, and an adequate geographical distribution.
In recent years, the following Member States contributed to the Trust Fund of the Seminar: Austria, China, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Where Are We Located
The International Law Seminar takes place at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). In the historic setting of the Palais des Nations, UNOG brings together individuals, organizations and nations to ensure a better future for all. As a diplomatic center, with near universal representation of states, Geneva is the ideal location for successful international cooperation. Around 8,000 meetings were held at the Palais des Nations last year, each in different ways touching the lives of people around the globe.
Driven by a commitment to maintain international peace and security, we actively work to advance disarmament, implement the Sustainable Development Goals, protect and promote human rights, encourage gender equality, eradicate poverty and provide fast, effective humanitarian relief in emergencies.
Through partnerships between governments, civil society, research, academia and other international actors, UNOG works hard to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030. Nurturing mutual respect and understanding, cultural exchange, and discussion, UN Geneva protects and preserves the institutional memory and cultural heritage of the United Nations.
