Women's Rights and Equality: 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995-2025)

New York, United Nations Headquarters, March 2025

The year 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995-2025). The aim of the seminar is to analyze and investigate the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, taking into consideration historical, legal and political context, challenges, aims, effects and implementation related to the achievement of women’s rights, equality and their empowerment.

Participants of the seminar will attend some events of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York in March 2025. The aim of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is to review and appraise the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

I. Academic Requirements

Writing a Master’s thesis and presenting it at the seminar are mandatory. In addition, active participation in the discussions of other participants’ papers is also expected. The oral performance will be factored into the final grade.

II. Place and Time

The seminar consists of two different parts:

1. Participation in some sections/events of the Commission of the Status of Women that will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in March 2025. Dates will be announced shortly.
2. Presentation of the Master’s thesis at the University of Zurich in April, as part of a one-day seminar. The exact date will be announced soon.

III. Information regarding participation in the Commission of the Status of Women and proceeding of the seminar

Please take note that participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

The seminar will be held in English and/or in German. It consists of presentations of student papers and ensuing discussions.

IV. Master Thesis

It is possible to write the thesis in German or in English (100.000 characters/around 40 pages).

V. Application and Registration

Please apply by Link

After having booked the seminar and having received a confirmation from the system please write an email toelisabetta.fiocchi@ius.uzh.ch.

VI. Thesis Deadline

The final date to submit your thesis will be on the 30.04.2025.