Summer School 2025: “Navigating Change – Contemporary Perspectives on Human Rights”

To assess the challenges outlined above, we seek to apply an interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, we aim to draw on expertise from various disciplines to better understand the changes around us – the accelerating climate change, new public health threats and the unwarranted use of AI (step 1). Following the legal assessment (step 2), we will revisit the disciplinary expertise to explore potential solutions (step 3). In doing so, we intend to offer lectures, and modern formats such as coffee talks and interdisciplinary talks. Each lecture will feature interactive components. Additionally, the coffee talks on days two to four will feature two experts: one offering a legal perspective and the other providing specific insights into the respective disciplines. The interdisciplinary talk will include three experts with different backgrounds. After four days of lectures and discussions, we will hold an interactive conference, offering participants the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have acquired. Additionally, a rich evening program will offer opportunities for relaxation, ensuring both intellectual and personal well-being throughout the week. 

The International Summer School 2025 in Dresden begins with introductory lectures on the fundamental ideas of (norm) change, laying the groundwork for the week ahead and exploring how we can navigate change with the instruments at our disposal. At the end of day one, there will be a discussion with three experts from both academia and professional practice. Together, we will examine the broader implications of change, highlighting its positive and negative aspects.                                                                                                                                                                 From Factual Change to Norm Change in the International Human Rights System 

Given the growing impact of climate change and related disasters, it is clear that environmental issues are also human rights issues. We will begin by exploring the applicability of human rights in environmental matters and their intersection in international law, starting with an overview of current environmental law and its relationship with human rights protection. After this, we aim to tackle the challenges of specific norms. For example, the drastic impacts of climate change, such as the sinking of entire countries, raise unprecedented legal and human rights challenges. For instance, when Art. 12 ICCPR was first drafted, the possibility of countries vanishing without a successor state was not anticipated, raising questions about individuals’ right to nationality if their own country is submerged and no longer exists.                                                                                                                                                                                                 Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Environmental Challenges to Human Rights

Recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlight the critical intersection between public health and human rights. Accelerating lifestyle diseases worldwide necessitate innovative approaches that integrate human rights into public health strategies. Another key issue concerns access to medication, which raises questions about the extent of state obligations under human rights law. In addition, we explore advancements in medical treatments and innovative therapies, like genetic engineering, offering unprecedented potential for both prevention and treatment. However, these advancements also carry new challenges to human health and, consequently, to human rights.                                                                                                                                                                                       Emerging Public Health Threats Amidst and Despite Medical Improvement

AI not only increases the efficiency of technologies, it also poses significant dangers, as exemplified by Facial Recognition Technology. Due to the black box phenomenon, the way AI comes to conclusions often cannot be fully explained, as the input in and the operations of an AI are invisible. Furthermore, overreliance on these systems often leads to automation bias. This carries the risk of decision-making being made to the detriment of humans, prompting questions such as whether this dependence represents progress at all, or whether there should be a right to"unblackboxing." In addition, we seek to provide answers to specific questions of AI applications. For example, the use of AI to create realistic deepfakes of politicians can lead to a surge of disinformation. This could severely impair states’ ability to function, potentially necessitating innovative restrictions on freedom of expression, which might violate human rights.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The Peak of Technology: Can Human Rights Keep Pace with AI Developments?

On the final day, participants representing states and legal experts will convene to address the legal challenges for human rights concerning the issues discussed during the previous four days. They will need to develop treaty law, interpret norms, or decide whether to leave existing regulations unchanged. Both the states and the International Law Commission (ILC) prepare for this in advance and during the Summer School.

The ILC will draft a foundational paper outlining how best to address these new developments and the corresponding factual change through international human rights law. This conference paper will then be presented to the participating states. The conference will subsequently engage with the paper and discuss to what extent states are willing to respond to these pressing factual changes: climate change, public health threats and AI Developments. The ILC will try to defend its draft throughout the discussions but may also make modifications as needed.

Interactive Conference: International Law Commission and State Representatives

The participation fee is €200 for in-person attendees and €50 for online participants. The in-person fee includes lunch, coffee, refreshments and snacks, the rich evening program as well as city tours and excursions.

There will also be the opportunity of a travel grant. After registration, participants can apply for funding of €500 to help cover travel and accommodation expenses. Unfortunately, advance payments are not possible, so even if the grant is approved, the funds will only be disbursed after submitting the respective receipts. You will receive further information after successful registration.

Upon participation and successful completion of the Summer School, in-person participants will be awarded a certificate worth 5 ECTS, while online participants will receive a certificate worth 3 ECTS. This includes the successful completion of the Summer School Examination. Please ensure you verify in advance whether the ECTS credits will be recognized by your home university.

The Summer School will take place at TU Dresden. In line with the theme of our Summer School – the future of human rights –, we will be hosting it in the futuristic-looking conference room of the Institut für Holztechnik Dresden: Zellescher Weg 24, 01217 Dresden.

Both in-person and virtual participants can attend all lectures, participate in the interactive elements, and ask questions. However, the final day’s conference and the afternoon program on the various days are only open to in-person participants.

Accommodation and arrival must be arranged individually by each participant. Based on feedback from previous Summer School participants, we can recommend the following accommodations in Dresden: Hostel Mondpalast, International Guesthouse Dresden, and Lollis Homestay. For travel planning, please note that the closest international airports are Berlin and Prague. Both cities are well-connected to Dresden by train and FlixBus. When booking your journey, we suggest considering not only long-distance (“Fernverkehr”) trains, but also regional (“Nahverkehr”) trains, which are often significantly more affordable. However, as regional trains tend to be slower, they are generally more suitable for shorter routes, for example from Berlin to Dresden. When arriving by train, one of the two major train stations should be used: Hauptbahnhof Dresden (main station) and Bahnhof Dresden-Neustadt. We recommend checking which of the two is closer to your accommodation when planning your arrival.

• Visa Type and Eligibility:
  If you are a non-EU resident, you will most likely need to apply for a short-term Schengen visa (type C), suitable for the duration of the Summer School. We strongly recommend verifying the exact visa type and requirements with the German consulate responsible for your current place of residence or legal stay.
• Application Timeline:
  Visa processing times can vary depending on your country and the time of year. To avoid delays, we recommend beginning your visa application at least 12 weeks before your planned departure.
• Supporting Documentation:
  In addition to the visa application form, you may be required to submit:
  • Proof of financial means (e.g. personal funds, sponsorship, or funding agency support),
  • Proof of accommodation,
  • Health insurance valid for the Schengen area,
  • Official invitation letter.
• Invitation Letter:
  For visa purposes, we can issue an official invitation letter to support your application. If you require this document, please notify us as early as possible so we can prepare and send it to you.
  If the consulate requests further documentation from our side (e.g. a confirmation of participation), please let us know so we can provide the necessary documents.
• Travel Plans:
  If you plan to visit other Schengen countries before, during, or after the program, please ensure you apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa with Germany as the main destination.

While we are happy to assist you by providing supporting documents, it remains your responsibility to ensure that you meet all visa requirements and apply in a timely manner.

For up-to-date and detailed information on visa procedures, we recommend consulting the following official websites:

• German Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148
• Online visa application form (VIDEX): https://videx.diplo.de

Should you have any further questions or require additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dear participants,

Thank you for your interest in our scholarships for the Summer School. We would like to kindly inform you that the application deadline was June 9, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Unfortunately, we cannot accept any more applications.

We will now review all applications received by the deadline - consisting of proof of payment of the participation fee, CV, letter of motivation as well as the list and receipts of your travel expenses - and select the five scholarship holders. The selected persons will be notified in the coming weeks.

We will be happy to answer any queries by e-mail. Thank you for your understanding and your participation.