ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE & MOOT COURT - V EDITION 2026

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JURISDICTION AND CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT

15 - 19 june 2026

VENUE: ROME , Italy, University of Cusano

FORMAT: HYBRID ( in Person and Online ) - intensive course

PARTICIPATION FEE

IN PERSON: € 250

ONLINE: €200

TEAM (2 participants): € 300 (150 € per participant either online or in presence)

‍ ‍Complete the form by clicking the link.

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JURISDICTION AND CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION : 12 JUNE 2026

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: 1 JUNE 2026

CONTAC US : UNETCHACADVANCEDCOURSE@GMAIL.COM

THE AIM OF THE COURSE and SIMULATION OF A LEGAL CASE

In 2022, the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict launched an innovative, multidisciplinary Advanced Training Course addressing the phenomenon of children in armed conflict and the international response aimed at strengthening the protection of children’s rights.

Due to the significant interest generated, the Course has been held for three consecutive years, attracting participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds - including law, international relations, psychology and sociology - and from a wide range of countries.

Armed conflicts continue to have devastating consequences for children. Over the past decade, millions of children have been killed, maimed, displaced, orphaned, abducted, or subjected to recruitment and use by armed forces and groups. Children face both immediate and long-term harm, including trauma, loss of family and community structures, and barriers to accessing justice and rehabilitation.

This Course seeks to provide conceptual clarity and practical tools to address these challenges. It examines the evolution of children’s rights, the relevant legal frameworks, and the current practice at the international level. Participants will explore the protection of children under International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, and International Criminal Law, with particular attention to crimes committed against and affecting children -including sexual and gender-based crimes - and to sociological and psychological approaches to child protection.

The added value of the Course lies in its multidisciplinary approach, combining theoretical foundations with practical, skills-based training. Participants engage with legal, sociological, and psychological perspectives, and benefit from the expertise of practitioners involved in international proceedings.

In 2026, this approach is further enhanced by (or a Simulation of a Legal Case) on the Judicial Protection of Children in Armed Conflict, for which the entire training is designed to prepare participants. The 2026 edition will be held in hybrid format (in person and online).

The decision to include an in-person component reflects the importance of direct interaction, immediate feedback, and dynamic exchange of ideas, all of which significantly enrich the learning experience.

The hybrid format also ensures that participants can fully engage in the preparatory activities leading to the Moot Court, including group work, legal drafting, and advocacy exercises.

The Course aims at strengthen the competencies of students, academics, and legal professionals working on issues related to children affected by armed conflict and international justice mechanisms. A central objective of the 2026 edition is to equip participants with the legal, analytical, and advocacy skills necessary to argue a case before an international panel during the Simulation of a Legal Case.

Through this simulation, participants will apply the legal principles studied, engage in structured argumentation, and experience the dynamics of international judicial proceedings concerning the protection of children in armed conflict.

Armed conflicts continue to have devastating consequences for children. Over the past decade, millions of children have been killed, maimed, displaced, orphaned, abducted, or subjected to recruitment and use by armed forces and groups. Children face both immediate and long-term harm, including trauma, loss of family and community structures, and barriers to accessing justice and rehabilitation.

This Course seeks to provide conceptual clarity and practical tools to address these challenges. It examines the evolution of children’s rights, the relevant legal frameworks, and the current practice at the international level. Participants will explore the protection of children under International

Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, and International Criminal Law, with particular attention to crimes committed against and affecting children—including sexual and gender-based crimes -and to sociological and psychological approaches to child protection.

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

The Course will take place from 15 to 19 June 2026, combining three days of academic training with two days dedicated to the simplified Moot Court on the Judicial Protection of Children in Armed Conflict.

• Days 1–3 (15–17 June 2026): Training Programme

Daily sessions from 9:30 to 13:00, with thematic workshops from 14:30 to 16:30.

These sessions include lectures, interactive discussions, and Q& A exchanges with leading international experts and practitioners with experience before international organizations, international tribunals, and the International Criminal Court.

• Day 4 (18 June 2026): Preparation for the Simulation Hearing

A full day dedicated to:

● case file analysis

● team preparation

● legal research

● drafting oral submissions

● advocacy coaching

Participants work under the guidance of the Course coordinators and invited practitioners.

• Days 5 (19 June 2026): Simulation Hearing

The Moot Court on the Judicial Protection of Children in Armed Conflict will take place before a panel of experts at the seat of the High Court in Rome (Italy).

Programme:

● opening of the proceedings

● oral arguments by the teams

● deliberation by the judges

● closing ceremony and awards.

ORGANIZATION AND PARTICIPATION

Participation in the 2026 edition is open to students, young professionals, and practitioners with an interest in international justice and the protection of children in armed conflict. Registration Format and Participant Numbers, Registration must be submitted through the presentation of a curriculum vitae at the e-mail address indicated below, no later than the 10 th of June. The Course Coordinators will evaluate the curricula and inform the candidates of their admission to the Course.

Course Fees

€ 250 - in person participation

€ 200 - online participation

An early bid fee will be calculated at 20% discount on the specific participation modality chosen. The early bid expires the 1st June 2026.

Simulation of a Legal Case - High Court of Rome Upon closing of the registration period, the Scientific Committee and the Course Coordinators will compose three teams for the purpose of the Moot Court. The participants will be divided into one Prosecution team, one Defence team and one Victims’ Team. At the time of registration, participants may indicate their preferred team. However, the possibility to be included in the preferred team will depend on the number of participants and on the available places in each team. The scenario will be provided to the participants the first day of the Course. For the participants attending online, a dedicated session to discuss and analyse the scenario will be organised on 18 of June.

Attendance and Certification

A Certificate of Participation will be given to all students

For any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at the official course

email address: unetchacadvancedcourse@gmail.com

PROGRAMME

DAYS 1-3 - ACADEMIC TRAINING

DAY ONE - Monday, 15 June 2026

9.00 - 10.00 - INAUGURAL SESSION

Welcoming Address

Representative of the Universities and Institutions

10.15 - 12.15 - The Phenomenon of Children in Armed Conflict

Conflict transformations and the role of civilians

Analysis of the current situation of children in armed conflict

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Support Children in Armed Conflict

12.30 - 13.30 - Special Hybrid Session

Round Table: The impact of artificial intelligence on the protection of children in armed conflict

DAY TWO - Tuesday, 16 June 2026

9.30 - 13.00 - Development of Provisions Protecting Children

International Legal Framework for the Protection of Children

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols

The Six Grave Violations and the Role of the Office of the SRSG CAAC

DAY THREE - Wednesday, 17 June 2026

9.30 - 13.00 - Justice for Children: Accountability and practice at the International Level

Justice for children in the framework of ECoHR

Justice for Children before the Ad Hoc Tribunals, Hybrid Courts and non-judicial mechanisms

Justice for Children at the ICC

14.30 – 16.30 — Workshop

Interviewing Children: Challenges and Techniques

DAYS 4-5 - MOOT COURT COMPETITION

DAY FOUR - MOOT COURT PREPARATION

Thursday, 18 June 2026 - A full day dedicated to:

Case analysis

Legal research

Case strategy

Drafting oral submissions

Advocacy coaching

Tutors will support the participants in the preparation of the Moot Court

DAYS FIVE — MOOT COURT SESSION - Friday, 19 June 2026

Hearing at the seat of High Court in Rome (Italy)

10.00 – 10.30 — Opening by the Presiding Judge

10.30 – 11.00 - Oral arguments by the Prosecution’s team

11.00 – 11.30 – Oral arguments by the Victims’ Team

11.30 – 12.00 – Oral arguments by the Defence’s team

12.00 – 12.45 – Judges questions and deliberation

12.45– 13.00 – Award Ceremony

Scientific Committee

Ms. Laura Guercio

Ms. Paolina Massidda

Mr. Marxiano Melotti

Coordinating Committee

Mr. Antonino Pola

Ms. Uray Shyta Damayanti

Ms. Dafina Rushiti

Administrative Committee

Ms. Lisa Faccin

Ms. Erika Gjeci

Ms. Simona Lanzellotto

Mr. Kirill Skantsev