This annual gathering marks the conclusion of the 2025/2026 Academic Year, celebrates the achievements of the students of the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA), and officially inaugurates the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The ceremony will open with a musical performance by ArTime Quartet, followed by welcome addresses from Manfred Nowak, Secretary General of the Global Campus of Human Rights, Elina Pirjatanniemi, Vice-President of the Global Campus of Human Rights, Orla Ní Cheallacháin, EMA Programme Director, and Diego Vecchiato, Guardian Vicario, Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista.
“At a time when human rights and democratic values are being challenged in many parts of the world, the EMA Programme continues to demonstrate the importance of investing in education, critical thinking and international cooperation. Every new generation of EMA graduates strengthens a global community committed to defending human dignity, justice and the rule of law.“
Manfred Nowak, Secretary General of the Global Campus of Human Rights
This year, 83 EMA graduating students from 29 countries will defend their master’s theses before the EMA Thesis Defence Panels composed of representatives from the Programme’s 43 participating universities.
The Graduation Ceremony will also welcome 80 new students from 38 countries, once again reflecting the international character of the EMA Programme and its enduring appeal to future human rights professionals from across Europe and beyond.
“September is a moment of connection and celebration and of endings and beginnings for the EMA programme. Representatives from our 43 participating universities come together to examine our graduating students, welcome our incoming students and to connect with one another. It is an important moment to re-assert our commitment to this unique example of inter-university cooperation in Europe in support of advanced education in human rights and democratisation.“
Orla Ní Cheallacháin, EMA Programme Director
This year’s keynote speakers and special remarks will include:
- Ritwick Dutta, Environmental Lawyer and Founder of Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) and Right Livelihood Laureate 2021
- Micha Ramakers, Deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships
- Annette Windmeißer, Head of Division Climate Finance at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
- Jon Warmington-Lundstrom, Education Manager at Right Livelihood
The programme will also honour particular achievements in the EMA community. EMA Chair, Prof Thérèse Murphy will announce the awardees of the EMA Internship Programme, the EMA Awarded Theses and Nicolò Tonon Scholarship. While the EMAlumni Association will announce the winner of this year’s EMAlumni Award. We will also hear from current Student Representatives Auri Leino and Andrea Orlandi, before the awarding of diplomas to graduates and the inauguration of the new academic year.
This year’s ceremony also takes place at a particularly significant moment for the Global Campus of Human Rights. Following the recent decision by the Municipality of Venice to renew the concession of the Monastery of San Nicolò on the Lido for a further nine years, the institution looks confidently towards the future of its educational mission.
“The renewal of the concession of the Monastery of San Nicolò represents much more than an administrative milestone. It is a renewed commitment by the City of Venice to the Global Campus and to the values of human rights education. This long-term perspective allows us to continue investing in our students, our international academic community and the future of the institution.“
Elisabetta Noli, Administrative Director, Global Campus of Human Rights
We warmly invite our academic community, partners, alumni and friends to join us in celebrating our graduates and welcoming the next generation of human rights defenders.