2025 Human Rights Essay Award
The call for submissions for the 2025 Human Rights Essay Award is now closed
Congratulations to the winners!
2025 Topic:
Human Trafficking and Human Rights
The Human Rights Essay Award is an annual award sponsored by the Academy aimed at encouraging the production of academic articles in the field of international human rights law. The topic for the 2025 will be Human Trafficking and Human Rights. Participants have the flexibility to choose any subject related to this topic. However, the scope of the essay must directly correspond to the 2025 theme, or it will be disqualified. Additionally, we would like to note that we believe international human rights law includes international humanitarian law and international criminal law.
ABOUT THE TOPIC
The Academy has chosen the topic of Human Trafficking and Human Rights because it remains critically important and necessitates the ongoing development of legal human rights standards across various international protection systems. This issue can be explored from multiple perspectives, including domestic regulation, criminal legislation, redress mechanisms, root causes, migration dynamics, the operations of criminal networks, among many other aspects. It is noteworthy that this same topic will be addressed during our 30th Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, which will be celebrated from May 19 to May 23. We have collaborated with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to create a complex yet cutting-edge case. Additionally, participants of the Essay Award can be involved in the Moot Court as judges if they wish.
Our commitment to fostering human rights education and encouraging the production of academic articles aims to enhance the analysis of this pressing topic, ultimately contributing to more effective legal frameworks and protections for victims of human trafficking.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Academy will grant two Awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish. The Award in each case will consist of:
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A full tuition scholarship to the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance options (travel, housing and per diem living expenses are not included)*
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The best articles may also be published in the American University International Law Review, which contains relevant and diverse academic material. This prestigious journal receives approximately 1,500 submissions each year and publishes legal research from professors, judges, lawyers, and renowned scholars.
*In 2021 the Program of Advanced Studies in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law was held virtually due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Academy reserves the right to determine if the 2025 Program or some of its classes will be held virtually.
Participants Eligibility Requirements:
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Must hold a law degree, Juris Doctor, (J.D.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), or equivalent.
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Shall have a demonstrated experience or interest in international human rights law.
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Have the flexibility to choose any subject related to the 2025 topic: Human Trafficking and Human Rights
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Must keep in mind the essay must be a legal article citation sources.
Important dates:
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Deadline for submissions: February 3rd, 2025
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Winners Announcement: April 1st, 2025
Difference between the award and our LL.M Program
We would like to remind you that the Human Rights Essay Award is a project offered by the Academy of Human Rights and International Law. The project is not related to the application process for our LL.M. programs, for which you need to follow all the steps outlined on our website at this link, which we encourage you to consult if you are interested.
Want to know more?
Click on the right menu to learn more about the Award regulations.
Contact us!
For more information, please contact us at humanrightsessay@wcl.american.edu. Allow 48 to 72 business hours for responses
We invite you all to keep visiting this page for more details on the 2025 Human Rights Essay Award!