MEIG Programme - Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance

The Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance (MEIG Programme) is designed for students and young professionals who have obtained at least a Bachelor's diploma. It aims at transferring knowledge about European and international governance, as well as providing participants with the essential professional skills to become a leader in this specific field. The MEIG Programme prepares the participants for leading positions in national administrations at all levels, international or regional organizations, NGOs as well as in public or private companies.

This Master's programme provides training in Europe and international governance and takes Agenda 2030 and the SDGs as background in all modules.

It aims at raising students’ awareness about various current issues and provides them with the theoretical and practical skills required to solve problems they face in their daily activities. The Programme covers and analyses - both from a theoretical and practical perspective - a wide range of thematic issues such as migration, human rights, peace and security, digital governance, international trade and development, global health and environment, climate change, and the public-private partnership for the implementation of Agenda 2030.

Prospective Students

The MEIG Programme is designed for persons working or wishing to work in the private or public sector in a variety of fields related to multi-level governance issues. It facilitates access to professional positions in mid-sized companies or multinationals, governments or ministries (economy, finance, justice, foreign affairs, agriculture, environment, health, etc.), national administrations, European and international organizations, NGOs, associations, and foundations.

The main feature of all these entities is the resolution of problems related to governance and management against the backdrop of current major challenges at international, regional, national, and subnational levels. This Master's programme enables participants to acquire not only multidisciplinary skills in law, economics, and politics but also negotiation and communication skills, allowing them to address contemporary challenges in a global context. We
encourage applications from all qualified participants around the world with various professional pathways and career plans.

Language and location

This multidisciplinary programme is taught in English at the University of Geneva. Seminars are complemented by visits to international organizations based in Geneva and European institutions located in Brussels, for the participants to gain an in-depth understanding of the functioning of these entities and the role they play in regional and international governance.

The MEIG Programme corresponds to 62 ECTS. The Master starts with an introduction to the concept of governance, its meaning, and implications, followed by ten thematic and methodological modules covered by the study programme. Lectures take place during the first six months (from September to March) and are followed by a third period (from April to June) dedicated to the end-of-study project. This project shall take one of the following forms: the writing of a classic master thesis on a topic related to the study of the programme, the accomplishment of an internship and the drafting of a related report, or the development of a professional project on a topic related to the professional activity of the participants within the framework of the study programme.

Programme MEIG in a Nutshell

• Introduction to the Concept of Governance, Definitions, Scope and Implications
• Architecture of the European Union and European Governance
• The Architecture of the United Nations System and Global Governance
• Key skills for a National or International Career dealing with Global Issues
• Human Rights and Migration
• Peace, Security, and Humanitarian Affairs
• Digital Governance
• International Trade and Development
• Health and Environment
• Climate Change
• Agenda 2030 and the Public-Private Partnership for its Implementation

End-of-study project (Internship, Professional Project, or Master Thesis)

Module I: Architecture of the European Union and European Governance

The most ambitious system of regional governance ever attempted, the European Union is at the heart of this module. The participants are offered an in-depth analysis of the construction of the European Union, its functioning, the role of the institutions, and the Member States. Participants will examine the main EU policies as well as the different powers, interest groups, and policy networks that define European governance.

This module also explores the increasingly important role of the European Union on the world stage. It examines the essential elements and values that found the relations between the European Union and the main international organisations based in Geneva, such as the United Nations (UN), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The relationship with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is dealt with specifically in Module VI.

Module II: Architecture of the United Nations System and Global Governance

In an increasingly globalized world where the importance of multilateral dialogues and cooperation is ever-growing, the United Nations remains a central forum for progressing ideas and a platform for action. In the course of the module, participants will attend lectures and practical workshops as well as participate in study visits aimed at providing a deep understanding of the functioning of the United Nations system and explaining the creation, structure, mandate, governance, and decision-making process of its main bodies and organisations.

Participants will learn more about the main decision-makers in Geneva and will have a unique opportunity to meet practitioners from the major institutions, enabling them to strengthen their knowledge of the intergovernmental machinery of the UN System and other international organisations.

Module III: Key Skills for a National or International Career Dealing with Global Issues

This module helps participants significantly improve their negotiation, public speaking, report writing, and other skills that are indispensable for a successful career at the national or international level.

After a series of intensive and highly interactive workshops, participants will emerge confident to conduct complex negotiations, enhance their leadership qualities, improve their aptitudes of recording and summarising results of conferences and meetings as well as develop their public speaking, report writing, leadership, and negotiation skills.

In addition, the MEIG Programme provides you with insights from senior officials in different fields.

Module IV: Human Rights and Migration

This module underlines the importance of European and international Human Rights protection in contemporary global politics. Participants will be introduced to the key concepts and mechanisms of human rights allowing them to analyse and evaluate the impact of human rights protection on global policies and international relations. They will examine the differences in human rights protection at European, regional, and international levels. A specific emphasis is given to the work of the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights High Commissioner, both based in Geneva.

Participants will also better understand the interplay between human rights and migration, a particularly relevant topic of our times. The module examines the enhanced need for the protection of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in the context of European and international governance. Other regional perspectives are also studied in this context.

The cooperation developed in that field between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), both based in Geneva, is of first importance.

Module V: Peace, Security, and Humanitarian Affairs

After more than seventy-five years after the creation of the United Nations and thirty years after the end of the Cold War, conflicts have evolved in their form and the type of actors involved. They are linked to new challenges such as energy, finance, pandemics, environmental disasters, and armed conflicts.

The module seeks to prepare participants to better navigate the structure of the United Nations’ work in tackling current peace and security challenges by providing participants with an overview of recent and current global events and how the United Nations addressed them. Participants will acquire an understanding of the current international situation that creates considerable challenges for governments in mobilizing effectively and rapidly their human and financial resources to promote peace and security. Special attention will be paid to the role of the ICRC in that field.

Module VI: Digital Governance

New technological developments have created a completely new environment encompassing all areas of today’s societies including governance processes on local, national, regional, and international levels. The module focuses on how new digital technologies have changed public governance processes before turning to specific issues such as data protection and the impact of artificial intelligence.

The module will also tackle the dark side of technological progress by analyzing the issue of cyber security and cyber warfare. It also emphasizes the special role Geneva plays as a hotspot and global hub for the governance of digital innovation.

Module VII: International Trade and Development

The multilateral trade regime is at the heart of this module. Participants will gain a deep knowledge of the main topics and challenges that are at stake at the international level. The module will also tackle the increasing tension between bilateralism and multilateralism in trade issues. This field of international governance concerns several international organisations based in Geneva.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is, of course, the key actor in this field.

However, other aspects related to international trade are also dealt with within this module about the activities carried out by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The interaction between these international organisations will be studied to determine which are the most important actors that states or non-state actors deal with when it comes to international trade. The European Union and its common commercial policy demonstrate engagement on the international scene in all aspects of trade policy, including investments and intellectual property rights related to trade. Other regional actors are also dealt with accordingly.

Module VIII: Health and Environment

This module focuses on health and environmental policies as they relate to each other. As health issues are becoming increasingly important at the global level, the module explores the actors that shape health policy, including the structures and features of European and international healthcare. Participants explore the key health issues and challenges at European and international levels. The module also discusses the cooperation between the different entities dealing with health in Geneva, in particular the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The second part of the module covers a wide range of environmental issues at European and international levels, such as climate change and pollution, including air quality, water, and nature conservation. Participants will gain a deep knowledge of the essential elements of environmental protection, covering the most important multilateral environment agreements. They will develop a good understanding of justice and sustainability as central principles in environmental health.

The overall objective is to provide participants with the knowledge, critical understanding, and skills for active involvement in the development, delivery, and evaluation of a range of public health and environment initiatives.

Module IX: Climate Change

This module provides comprehensive knowledge of the challenges represented by climate change. It allows participants to question and explore the issue of climate change in terms of governance. To better understand the core issues underlying climate change, renowned professors and practitioners will address the definition, the indicators, and the consequences of climate change.

Given that overview, participants deal with the objectives to be achieved at different levels of governance (international, regional, national, and subnational) in the context of the current climate situation. In this perspective, they will consider the various problems raised in the field, analyze the mechanisms put into place to solve them and study the various actors involved in the process of governance.

The overall objective is to provide participants with knowledge of the implications of climate change in the fields of human rights, migration, agriculture, and economic growth. Practical sessions, case studies, and group discussions will allow a better understanding of the challenges and difficulties raised by climate change issues.

Module X: Agenda 2030 and the Public-Private Partnership for its Implementation

This module aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the global partnership for their implementation. The SDG Lab, where innovative solutions are shaped, is at the heart of the matter. High-level representatives from business and international organisations will explain how business supports and respect human rights, contribute to gender equality, or face environmental challenges. A highlight will be given on how corruption affects good governance and how this issue is addressed by public and private actors. ILO representatives will explain how the organization succeeds in bringing together governments, employers, and workers on labour issues. Special attention will also be given to the global partnership for innovation.

At the end of the programme, participants will have better knowledge and skills enabling them to contribute to better governance.

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